41 reviews
I've always adored Asia. Since I was about 5 years old. This goes especially for Japan. So I guess it's kind of natural that I got drawn to Japanese movies. I've always been a great fan of drama films and why not romance too.
I started to watch this movie without knowing anything about it. The first minute caught my eye right away. The view was beautiful and the music was incredible too. I thought: "This has to be a great film!" So I watched the movie in one breath. It got me, totally. It's a movie to make even the toughest man cry like a baby. Every scene looks beautiful, every dialogue has a deep meaning (at least I found one.) The music is just what the movie needs. The ending surprised me as it was a little bit longer than to be assumed, but it didn't ruin anything. It covered a few holes and made it look good.
If you like touching drama movies, if you like romance even a bit, This is just the movie for you.
I started to watch this movie without knowing anything about it. The first minute caught my eye right away. The view was beautiful and the music was incredible too. I thought: "This has to be a great film!" So I watched the movie in one breath. It got me, totally. It's a movie to make even the toughest man cry like a baby. Every scene looks beautiful, every dialogue has a deep meaning (at least I found one.) The music is just what the movie needs. The ending surprised me as it was a little bit longer than to be assumed, but it didn't ruin anything. It covered a few holes and made it look good.
If you like touching drama movies, if you like romance even a bit, This is just the movie for you.
This film, like most other Japanese human dramas I've ever watched, is somewhat slow paced but I like its poetic representation. What I liked the most was its brilliant plot that told audiences the greatness of love through surprising turn-over. This film is really deeply touching and heartwarming. Although the story of this film is unrealistic fantasy, I'd like to recommend this film to everyone and even to those who love the realistic human dramas.
One thing that bothered me a little was the casting of Shido Nakamura as Takumi, the male lead. In fact, what bothered me was not his performance but his aggressive images that I happened to built from my previously watched films where his role was a scary karate fighter (in Fearless) or a tough general (in Red Cliff) or a cold blooded lieutenant (in Letters from Iojima). It was a little shock for me that Shido Nakamura was playing Takumi who tended to be so gentle, shy and even wimpy. Despite Shido Nakamura's good performance, I couldn't stop his aggressive Yakuza-like images being overlapped on Takumi and it eventually made the beginning part of the film the Beauty and the Beast-like-fairy tale for me. However, I think all the actors in the film including Shido Nakamura, performed fairly well and it went well with the story. If you had not yet watched Shido Nakamura's acting performance other than in this film, you would surely be surprised by his drastic change in his other films from a shy office clerk to a cold blooded fighter who throws deadly karate chops. ;-)
One thing that bothered me a little was the casting of Shido Nakamura as Takumi, the male lead. In fact, what bothered me was not his performance but his aggressive images that I happened to built from my previously watched films where his role was a scary karate fighter (in Fearless) or a tough general (in Red Cliff) or a cold blooded lieutenant (in Letters from Iojima). It was a little shock for me that Shido Nakamura was playing Takumi who tended to be so gentle, shy and even wimpy. Despite Shido Nakamura's good performance, I couldn't stop his aggressive Yakuza-like images being overlapped on Takumi and it eventually made the beginning part of the film the Beauty and the Beast-like-fairy tale for me. However, I think all the actors in the film including Shido Nakamura, performed fairly well and it went well with the story. If you had not yet watched Shido Nakamura's acting performance other than in this film, you would surely be surprised by his drastic change in his other films from a shy office clerk to a cold blooded fighter who throws deadly karate chops. ;-)
The plot grabbed me, and the simplicity of the trailer made it even more interesting to see. The first 2 minutes made me think of the anime movie "Spirited Away". Like a tunnel, where it all begins.
The movie is touching in every way. The acting is convincing, and you get a strong feeling for the characters. Even though you get a lot of information in the beginning, so some things are hard to grasp, the movie makes up for it all bit by bit later on. The plot has it's good and bad moments, but it is just a sweet whole (Maybe it could be the translation too, because it was half Thai half English). Overall I cannot give any bad words to such a sweet and romantic movie. I'm happy to have experienced the life of Mio, Taku and Yuji.
This movie gives you a beautiful romantic fantasy that will stay in your heart forever.
The movie is touching in every way. The acting is convincing, and you get a strong feeling for the characters. Even though you get a lot of information in the beginning, so some things are hard to grasp, the movie makes up for it all bit by bit later on. The plot has it's good and bad moments, but it is just a sweet whole (Maybe it could be the translation too, because it was half Thai half English). Overall I cannot give any bad words to such a sweet and romantic movie. I'm happy to have experienced the life of Mio, Taku and Yuji.
This movie gives you a beautiful romantic fantasy that will stay in your heart forever.
- arjeantonio
- Jun 16, 2005
- Permalink
This movie is amazingly touching. I do have some expectation before I watch the movie. When I finished it, it is clear that, this movie is way better than I expected.
The casting is excellent. Every character live in the world of the story. The actors are not acting in the movie. They live in it. The actor who play the role of the son , Yuji, is especially good. Some scenes with him are actually heartbreakingly good.
The movie might be a little slow for some audients. But I find it helps to build up the mood and draw the whole picture in detail. If you had read the plot of the movie, you might say, "yeah, good old story. I can tell how it ends". But I had to say, not till the last minute, you would not know the whole story.
The director and the playwright do an excellence job. Every detail had been take care of. The ending echoes the beginning. And the plot is as smooth as silk.
This movie is not about only about the love between two people. It is also love of family and one's will to face the fate. It may not be a masterpiece like Godfather. But I am sure this is one of the best Japanese movies I had seen in years, and I seen a lot. All in all, this is a heartwarming movie. It did not resolve the problem but it shows hope for tomorrow.
If you ask me if I like this movie. Sure I am. If not I will not spend times to write all this.
The casting is excellent. Every character live in the world of the story. The actors are not acting in the movie. They live in it. The actor who play the role of the son , Yuji, is especially good. Some scenes with him are actually heartbreakingly good.
The movie might be a little slow for some audients. But I find it helps to build up the mood and draw the whole picture in detail. If you had read the plot of the movie, you might say, "yeah, good old story. I can tell how it ends". But I had to say, not till the last minute, you would not know the whole story.
The director and the playwright do an excellence job. Every detail had been take care of. The ending echoes the beginning. And the plot is as smooth as silk.
This movie is not about only about the love between two people. It is also love of family and one's will to face the fate. It may not be a masterpiece like Godfather. But I am sure this is one of the best Japanese movies I had seen in years, and I seen a lot. All in all, this is a heartwarming movie. It did not resolve the problem but it shows hope for tomorrow.
If you ask me if I like this movie. Sure I am. If not I will not spend times to write all this.
I have seen films quite a lot in recent years,but have never shed tears on anyone of them until I saw this one, which is about the true love between man and woman, parents and their child. Before I saw this film, I often wonder if love is really more powerful than life and death, and if this is true, why is contradiction and hatred everywhere? After I saw the film, I feel so moved with it I come to believe love is the most beautiful thing ever existed,though it is the hardest thing to find. I also like to give a 10 to it's soundtrack. Every time I listen to the music, I seem to see the beautiful pictures in the film again,the silent forest,the rain,and the lake. I recommend this film to you all,hope you will enjoy it.
This has to the most romantic and beautiful movie that i have ever seemed. On my round trip flights (19 hours each way) which i can say that i'm totally exhausted and nothing would matter if i can get to my destination now. Though exhausted, i still managed to watch this movie 4 times (It's a 2 hr movie and i don't even want it to end) and wished that the flight would be longer for me to view a 5th time. Without giving much to the story, i must say that for a guy who's has never shed a tear (except those beatings during the young and playful), this has to be the one. I woke up thinking of this movie, working thinking of this movie and wonder if i will see anything come close to this. I think not and wish not.
The performance by Takeuchi Yuko, Nakamura Shido and Takei Akashi are totally awesome and wonderful. The entire crew did a superb job here and hats off to the director. The theme song "Hana" - Orange Range and the music are just so heart warming, so touching and so amazing.
Don't go read up reviews with spoilers. It makes an even sweeter experience.
Watch it and it's worth your time.
Spread the words!!!
The performance by Takeuchi Yuko, Nakamura Shido and Takei Akashi are totally awesome and wonderful. The entire crew did a superb job here and hats off to the director. The theme song "Hana" - Orange Range and the music are just so heart warming, so touching and so amazing.
Don't go read up reviews with spoilers. It makes an even sweeter experience.
Watch it and it's worth your time.
Spread the words!!!
Reading the summaries and reviews of the film, I had several expectations of what would happen. The grieving husband and son of a woman who died at a young age struggle with her loss. Miraculously, she comes back to life ( returning from heaven or some other place) for 6 weeks, one year after her death, during the rainy season, only to leave again after the season is over.
Considering the "coming back to life" plot device isn't without precedent, the American film "Ghost" (with Demi Moore) is but one example, I expected the characters to display the usual gamut of emotions - initial shock that the person has come back, joy that they get to relive their moments together, and ultimately grief that he/she must depart again. This film was not without those moments, but the quality of the acting and the beautiful scenery and photography put it a cut above the rest. However, what puts this film into "classic" status is the ingenious weaving of past, present, and future to deliver a stunning finale that will put every missing piece of the puzzle into place while leaving the audience simply awestruck with emotion. There are few films which I would tell a friend or associate that they "must see this now." This is one of them. Just see it and be amazed.
Considering the "coming back to life" plot device isn't without precedent, the American film "Ghost" (with Demi Moore) is but one example, I expected the characters to display the usual gamut of emotions - initial shock that the person has come back, joy that they get to relive their moments together, and ultimately grief that he/she must depart again. This film was not without those moments, but the quality of the acting and the beautiful scenery and photography put it a cut above the rest. However, what puts this film into "classic" status is the ingenious weaving of past, present, and future to deliver a stunning finale that will put every missing piece of the puzzle into place while leaving the audience simply awestruck with emotion. There are few films which I would tell a friend or associate that they "must see this now." This is one of them. Just see it and be amazed.
- perezidential-2
- Nov 4, 2005
- Permalink
A few years ago, Korean romances took over the market for the romance genre which had been held uncontested by Japan. While at least half a dozen made it big in the Pacific region, the most successful worldwide has to be My Sassy Girl (2001). The onslaught however soon ran out of steam, even for works by MSG's director Kwak Jae-young. His still widely acclaimed Classic (2003) had in fact faded somewhat, and not even bringing back Jun Ji-hyun from MSG could save Windstruck (2004). In the meantime, Japanese romances are making a come back. "Poetic" director Shunji Iwai brought a breath of fresh air with Hana and Alice (2004). It is Ima, ai ni yukimasu, however, that is the best romance coming out of Japan and Korea in the last ten years.
The movie starts with a quaint little house nestled in the most idyllically beautiful, lush green countryside, where a shopkeeper of a cake shop delivers a birthday cake to a young man Yuji, who is making breakfast. We are then taken back to the time when Yuji is six, a year after he has lost his mother Mio through illness and is living a life of mutual support and love with his father Taku. Before her death, however, Mio promised her husband and son that she would come back after a year and stay with them during the rainy season.
When the rain starts, Taku and Yuji find in the woods a woman looking exactly like Mio, who has apparently lost her memory completely. The father and son naturally have no problem believing that it is Mio coming back from heaven, and bring her home. Although in a way she is still a stranger, she seems to accept that she is Mio, and asks Taku to tell her the story of how they first met and fell in love. Through that process, they fall in love a second time (I am assuming at this point that she is indeed Mio). As we share the joy of the family reunited as well as the love story of young Taku and Mio through the flash back, the six-week rainy season is mercilessly coming closer and closer to the end.
All the time while watching the movie, alongside with emotionally becoming more and more identified with these three people whom I came to care for, I found a rational part of me that kept assessing how the story would go. Is it really Mio coming back from heaven to fulfil a promise? Is it a woman who happens to look like Mio but has a story of her own? Or is everything just the imagination of the father and son? The revelation came, not in the form of a super twist dropped like a like a bomb, but through the last twenty minutes' gentle unfolding of past events that provide answers not only to the mystery of Mio's appearance, but also to many things we have noticed throughout the movie that register subconsciously (only subconsciously) as questions. Even more important, we saw another layer about the entire story that deepens our understanding of and care for this family.
But all this would not mean a thing without the wonderful, wonderful performance of Yuko Takeuchi as Mio. Shido Nakamura and Akashi Takei as father and son complement her performance perfectly and, together with the beautiful photography and heart-warming music, make this film the best in it genre in the decade.
The English title of "Be with you" is not devised haphazardly, but has a meaning.
The movie starts with a quaint little house nestled in the most idyllically beautiful, lush green countryside, where a shopkeeper of a cake shop delivers a birthday cake to a young man Yuji, who is making breakfast. We are then taken back to the time when Yuji is six, a year after he has lost his mother Mio through illness and is living a life of mutual support and love with his father Taku. Before her death, however, Mio promised her husband and son that she would come back after a year and stay with them during the rainy season.
When the rain starts, Taku and Yuji find in the woods a woman looking exactly like Mio, who has apparently lost her memory completely. The father and son naturally have no problem believing that it is Mio coming back from heaven, and bring her home. Although in a way she is still a stranger, she seems to accept that she is Mio, and asks Taku to tell her the story of how they first met and fell in love. Through that process, they fall in love a second time (I am assuming at this point that she is indeed Mio). As we share the joy of the family reunited as well as the love story of young Taku and Mio through the flash back, the six-week rainy season is mercilessly coming closer and closer to the end.
All the time while watching the movie, alongside with emotionally becoming more and more identified with these three people whom I came to care for, I found a rational part of me that kept assessing how the story would go. Is it really Mio coming back from heaven to fulfil a promise? Is it a woman who happens to look like Mio but has a story of her own? Or is everything just the imagination of the father and son? The revelation came, not in the form of a super twist dropped like a like a bomb, but through the last twenty minutes' gentle unfolding of past events that provide answers not only to the mystery of Mio's appearance, but also to many things we have noticed throughout the movie that register subconsciously (only subconsciously) as questions. Even more important, we saw another layer about the entire story that deepens our understanding of and care for this family.
But all this would not mean a thing without the wonderful, wonderful performance of Yuko Takeuchi as Mio. Shido Nakamura and Akashi Takei as father and son complement her performance perfectly and, together with the beautiful photography and heart-warming music, make this film the best in it genre in the decade.
The English title of "Be with you" is not devised haphazardly, but has a meaning.
- harry_tk_yung
- Apr 8, 2005
- Permalink
Unfortunately I fall mostly into the "cynic" category, so I didn't enjoy this movie nearly as much as I should have. My fault and my loss, I know. I tip my hat to those of you who were swept away by the magic, but there's always some jerk in the crowd (like me) who sees the strings & trap doors that betray the illusion.
So here's why it didn't work for me: everyone is such a good person. They're all perfect boyscouts and girlscouts who love one another and dedicate themselves to self-sacrifice. 2 hours of that can get a wee bit sappy. There is no conflict with the dirty underbelly of humanity which we all know exists. Granted, I'm not saying that the movie should've had some ridiculous evil character like Emperor Ming the Merciless or Dr. EEEEVil. I'm just saying that I would have liked to see these characters portrayed in a realistic, human way instead of like angels and saints.
There is one scene in the movie, my favourite part, where the heroine actually does show her humanity. She confesses her dark inner side to a friend at a restaurant. It's very brief but powerful. Unfortunately we don't get enough of those powerful moments, and instead we're given a glossy, rosy perspective of everyone.
I have nothing against fairy tales; in fact that's my favourite kind of movie. But I like them with just enough grit to sustain my belief. Otherwise they run the risk of degenerating into an ABC afterschool special. This film was not as bad as that, but it heads in that direction.
I suggest the following marvellous fairy tales for your review:
French: Beauty & the Beast (1946), Orphee (1950), City of Lost Children (1995)
Japanese: Kaidan (1964), Dolls (2002)
Korea: Siworae (2000), Welcome to Dongmakgol (2004)
America: Portrait of Jennie (1948).
These are films that will tickle the romantic in all of us, regardless of what bitter, cynical old curmudgeons we are. They portray life in realistic manner and allow us to disseminate the magic in the truth we see.
So here's why it didn't work for me: everyone is such a good person. They're all perfect boyscouts and girlscouts who love one another and dedicate themselves to self-sacrifice. 2 hours of that can get a wee bit sappy. There is no conflict with the dirty underbelly of humanity which we all know exists. Granted, I'm not saying that the movie should've had some ridiculous evil character like Emperor Ming the Merciless or Dr. EEEEVil. I'm just saying that I would have liked to see these characters portrayed in a realistic, human way instead of like angels and saints.
There is one scene in the movie, my favourite part, where the heroine actually does show her humanity. She confesses her dark inner side to a friend at a restaurant. It's very brief but powerful. Unfortunately we don't get enough of those powerful moments, and instead we're given a glossy, rosy perspective of everyone.
I have nothing against fairy tales; in fact that's my favourite kind of movie. But I like them with just enough grit to sustain my belief. Otherwise they run the risk of degenerating into an ABC afterschool special. This film was not as bad as that, but it heads in that direction.
I suggest the following marvellous fairy tales for your review:
French: Beauty & the Beast (1946), Orphee (1950), City of Lost Children (1995)
Japanese: Kaidan (1964), Dolls (2002)
Korea: Siworae (2000), Welcome to Dongmakgol (2004)
America: Portrait of Jennie (1948).
These are films that will tickle the romantic in all of us, regardless of what bitter, cynical old curmudgeons we are. They portray life in realistic manner and allow us to disseminate the magic in the truth we see.
I have seen this movie in cinema twice already, a thing I rarely do as most movie could be available in DVD very soon. But after I learned that the DVD only be available after 24/6 in Japan, I have no choice but to go see it again as the urge inside me is so strong. Every time when I think about the movie, I almost shed tears every time when I reasoning what a decision Mio had been made. It is such moving that I wish it will be happened in real life.
The second view was still amazing, despite that fact that I know the plot already. There are still a lot of subtle things which are hard to notice during the initial view but reveal to me now. Every single dialog of Mio talk to Takumi and Yuji during the latter half revealed a deeper meaning to me after I understand the rationale behind. But I wont give out the plot of Mio as I felt it is a shame or guilt to do so, people should watch it themselves, feel touched and moved and being heartwarmingly satisfied when the end credit rolls. Only thing I can reveal is that I have paid special attention of what Mio wear during her first appear I immediately search all the stores after first view and bought the sound track and the CD that contained "Hana" sung by the band Orange Range. I have watch the MV of Hana too that song is amazing and that the lyric meaning is so touching that I nearly cry when I watch the MV alone.
I recommend all who happen can come across with this movie to view it. It is not a movie to be missed. However the initial DVD produced in Japan have no other subtitle other than Japanese, which is bad as I want to sent a copy to my American friend. This film is indeed a miracle and should be seen by as many people as possible, not just Asian.
The second view was still amazing, despite that fact that I know the plot already. There are still a lot of subtle things which are hard to notice during the initial view but reveal to me now. Every single dialog of Mio talk to Takumi and Yuji during the latter half revealed a deeper meaning to me after I understand the rationale behind. But I wont give out the plot of Mio as I felt it is a shame or guilt to do so, people should watch it themselves, feel touched and moved and being heartwarmingly satisfied when the end credit rolls. Only thing I can reveal is that I have paid special attention of what Mio wear during her first appear I immediately search all the stores after first view and bought the sound track and the CD that contained "Hana" sung by the band Orange Range. I have watch the MV of Hana too that song is amazing and that the lyric meaning is so touching that I nearly cry when I watch the MV alone.
I recommend all who happen can come across with this movie to view it. It is not a movie to be missed. However the initial DVD produced in Japan have no other subtitle other than Japanese, which is bad as I want to sent a copy to my American friend. This film is indeed a miracle and should be seen by as many people as possible, not just Asian.
The movie has a very good idea. Actors play authentic. If you can, find the 2018 version, I prefer the 2018 version. Anyway, I rate this movie the same as the 2018 version.
- huynhcongkhanh
- Jan 25, 2022
- Permalink
I saw this film in Japan. It is absolutely beautiful, and very moving. Probably the most moving film I have seen in recent memory. The story is very sweet, full of of young love and the love within a family. The second half had me, and every other member of the audience (which spanned a very large demographic range), bawling (one 6yo girl had to be taken out of the cinema she was in such a state). It does seem like a very long film, the ending went on longer than expected, but it tied the film together and fitted with the rest of the film. I love Hana, the end song done by Orange Range. All the elements of this film mesh together perfectly to make it an amazing experience. It's a bit of a pity the DVD doesn't have English subtitles, but for those who know a reasonable amount of Japanese, it's well worth it.
I will not lie. If you watch a lot of Japanese movies in the jun'ai genre (jun'ai = pure love, such as Heavenly Forest, Say hello for me, Nada sou sou, etc.) you will see that Be with you is the best of them all. However, I strongly disagree with some of the reviews that said "if you have a pulse, you will enjoy this movie", or something along that line, just because everyone has their own cup of tea. This was one of the first Japanese movies that I watched, and though I did enjoy the beautiful, almost magical, scenes done by the director, I think the unreal aspect of it turned out to be the factor that ruined it for me. Beautiful scenery does not equal beautiful filming; in fact, this movie (and Heavenly forest, as well as Say hello for me, for that matter) seemed like a tale in heaven or in some lands where there are angels and fairies and not necessarily people. The love story here is indeed touching; I do like the family scenes a lot, but the structure of the movie is just too confusing, and the plot seems like it was written solely to "move" people. When I feel like my feelings are manipulated through each situation in the movie, particular the ending, I usually am not moved by that particular incident.
So bottom line: very good acting, beautiful filming, but unrealistic love story (I know it's not meant to be realistic, but come on, the setting was real life and not a "Once upon a time" sort of setting). Convincing for its genre, but to say it's "the best Japanese movie", or that it had a significant impact on Japanese movies as a whole, is probably misleading. If you want a movie that most likely will make you cry, you can try this movie. However, it didn't work for me. If you want more realistic love stories that are touching, but on the more subtle side, both cinematically and plot-wise, try "Rainbow Song" (Niji no megami) or "Love Letter" (by Iwai Shunji). If you just want a good (but realistic!) love story that can happen just about anywhere, try Oto-na-ri (done by the same director as "Rainbow Song").
So bottom line: very good acting, beautiful filming, but unrealistic love story (I know it's not meant to be realistic, but come on, the setting was real life and not a "Once upon a time" sort of setting). Convincing for its genre, but to say it's "the best Japanese movie", or that it had a significant impact on Japanese movies as a whole, is probably misleading. If you want a movie that most likely will make you cry, you can try this movie. However, it didn't work for me. If you want more realistic love stories that are touching, but on the more subtle side, both cinematically and plot-wise, try "Rainbow Song" (Niji no megami) or "Love Letter" (by Iwai Shunji). If you just want a good (but realistic!) love story that can happen just about anywhere, try Oto-na-ri (done by the same director as "Rainbow Song").
Decided to watch this recently because the actress, Takeuchi Yuko, committed suicide. The story's premise is a little eerie.
I know I'm going to get a lot of hate for this review, but someone has to say it...
Most of the reviews seemed positive and a rating of 8/10 seemed promising; I was excited to watch it... but if you got better things to do, this is a movie to skip.
First of all, I'm Japanese, so there's no weeaboo bias here for praising things just because it has cool Japan scenery or superficial stuff.
The pacing is absolutely awful. I know Japanese/foreign movies are slow, but this movie really drags with barely any interesting dialogue/scenes and just dull, flat performances. There's no real major conflict/twists. Just straight forward wife comes back from the dead and they relive their memories together. Yawn. Major cheesy galore.
I can't tell if they intentionally made the acting sooo bad like they're all mentally slow or what, but I couldn't really feel for them because they just ALL talk and act like slow robots, including the doctor and kid's teacher. EVERYONE.
And we've all seen the cliche "coming back from the dead" movies so there's really no interesting or shocking twists here.
This movie is just filled with corny cheesy scenes like it was all produced and written by a teenage girl. I can handle movies like The Notebook, but this movie is in a whole new level of the most corniest cheeseballs ever made one after another.
The only good thing about this movie was the ending credits/song used "Orange Range - Hana". I loved that song back then and had no idea this movie used it.
A really good Japanese movie is something like "Shall we Dansu?" or "Eternal Zero"... or watch "Love Letter".
I know I'm going to get a lot of hate for this review, but someone has to say it...
Most of the reviews seemed positive and a rating of 8/10 seemed promising; I was excited to watch it... but if you got better things to do, this is a movie to skip.
First of all, I'm Japanese, so there's no weeaboo bias here for praising things just because it has cool Japan scenery or superficial stuff.
The pacing is absolutely awful. I know Japanese/foreign movies are slow, but this movie really drags with barely any interesting dialogue/scenes and just dull, flat performances. There's no real major conflict/twists. Just straight forward wife comes back from the dead and they relive their memories together. Yawn. Major cheesy galore.
I can't tell if they intentionally made the acting sooo bad like they're all mentally slow or what, but I couldn't really feel for them because they just ALL talk and act like slow robots, including the doctor and kid's teacher. EVERYONE.
And we've all seen the cliche "coming back from the dead" movies so there's really no interesting or shocking twists here.
This movie is just filled with corny cheesy scenes like it was all produced and written by a teenage girl. I can handle movies like The Notebook, but this movie is in a whole new level of the most corniest cheeseballs ever made one after another.
The only good thing about this movie was the ending credits/song used "Orange Range - Hana". I loved that song back then and had no idea this movie used it.
A really good Japanese movie is something like "Shall we Dansu?" or "Eternal Zero"... or watch "Love Letter".
I just watched this movie for 8th or 9th time... It's been almost a year since I last watched this movie, and I've watched a lot of great movies in 2007, but I have come to realize that this movie is still the best movie I've watched to date.
The second and best of the TBS Summer Pure Love Trilogy, this film is far better made than Sekai no Chuushin and Taiyou no Uta. Acting was great and music is simply unforgettable. Tiny pieces of mysteries were placed throughout the movie, but everything comes together perfectly in the end. The story development of this movie has become the ultimate Junai formula, and has been copied many times since, but none of them could match this original movie. I remember almost every single line of this movie by now, but watching it inevitably left a smile on my face in many scenes, and brought tears to my eyes near the end.
Perfect casting, music, story, directing. This movie will remain my favorite film for many years to come.
The second and best of the TBS Summer Pure Love Trilogy, this film is far better made than Sekai no Chuushin and Taiyou no Uta. Acting was great and music is simply unforgettable. Tiny pieces of mysteries were placed throughout the movie, but everything comes together perfectly in the end. The story development of this movie has become the ultimate Junai formula, and has been copied many times since, but none of them could match this original movie. I remember almost every single line of this movie by now, but watching it inevitably left a smile on my face in many scenes, and brought tears to my eyes near the end.
Perfect casting, music, story, directing. This movie will remain my favorite film for many years to come.
I do not consider myself to be in the target market for this kind of movie (male, late 20's). However, I bought this movie off an online site due to some reader recommendations. After finishing the movie, I was obsessed!!! I couldn't stop thinking about it and couldn't stop raving about it.
The acting and the direction is great, although a bit cheesy at times, but it works well. Yuko Takeuchi is such a beautiful actress. What I mean by beautiful is not her physical appearance (although she is pretty), but by the way she conveys her emotions and makes the viewer believe that she really is Mio. Everyone else does their role perfectly too, and the soundtrack really does a great job, especially the overture towards the end of the movie.
Overall, anyone who has a pulse will enjoy this movie. Personally it affected me a lot and it has turned me into a Japanese movie fan. You will struggle to find a negative review about this movie anywhere, and I really encourage all the males to watch it especially so they can get in touch with their emotional side (haha...). I've seen it seven times within two months and it still affects me each time I watch it. Some of my friends thinks I'm crazy but they don't understand the relationship I have with these characters (hahaha...I can't believe I'm typing this..my friends will laugh at me). Undoubtedly in my books, the best movie ever, and a moment to cherish with loved ones, or even by yourself (so the guys can cry and not feel embarrassed that anyone is looking at them).
The acting and the direction is great, although a bit cheesy at times, but it works well. Yuko Takeuchi is such a beautiful actress. What I mean by beautiful is not her physical appearance (although she is pretty), but by the way she conveys her emotions and makes the viewer believe that she really is Mio. Everyone else does their role perfectly too, and the soundtrack really does a great job, especially the overture towards the end of the movie.
Overall, anyone who has a pulse will enjoy this movie. Personally it affected me a lot and it has turned me into a Japanese movie fan. You will struggle to find a negative review about this movie anywhere, and I really encourage all the males to watch it especially so they can get in touch with their emotional side (haha...). I've seen it seven times within two months and it still affects me each time I watch it. Some of my friends thinks I'm crazy but they don't understand the relationship I have with these characters (hahaha...I can't believe I'm typing this..my friends will laugh at me). Undoubtedly in my books, the best movie ever, and a moment to cherish with loved ones, or even by yourself (so the guys can cry and not feel embarrassed that anyone is looking at them).
- DICK STEEL
- Jul 1, 2005
- Permalink
this is one of the stupid movies i've ever seen so far. i was very mad at this movie since it's just so stupid like a children's fantasy story, illogic, unreasonable and absolute childish. by using a background scene in the beautiful japanse countryside, a foolish looking moronic man good for nothing, could be a husband and father. the main character of this role was unluckily played by an annoying actor who i just failed to find it acceptable even for such stupid fantasy. the kid in this moronic movie was quite cute though, and of course the actress who played that fairy tale like spiritual and ghost-like wife/mother was such a beautiful actress. i often think that being an actor sometimes is the worst occupation that a person could ever do. because when a stupid screenplay with stupid scenario, storyline, plot, no matter how unreasonable and stupid it would be, once you signed up for such casting, the only way you could do is to put aside of your real-life logic, reasoning ability, or whatever normality you have, you have to follow it and play along. but to a viewer like me, you just couldn't accept anything on the face value. this movie is one of the hardest experiences i have encountered, because it's so stupid and moronic over-the-top foolish. a daylight fantasy, dreaming up by the Japanese comic generation with so many unexplainable flaws so big that could drive a semi container truck through. don't be so sentimentally stupid and so stupidly romantic to be fooled by this disgusting day dream.
- rightwingisevil
- Apr 15, 2012
- Permalink
Just a short amateur Review of this Movie: First i'd like to say, that i'm not a really big fan of Lovestories, but when i was watching this Movie (please! watch it in original Language (Japanese!!)), i just thought it is worth every single Cent! On the Movie itself: It has a slow build-up (don't know if this is the correct English term) but speeds up more and more till the end, where i was just overwhelmed.
I can recommend this Movie to everyone! It's one of the best movies i've seen in the last 10 years, and i truly can say that i saw a way too much Movies! Also those who only pretend to watch Actionmovies and Thrillers like "The Expendables", "Blow", and "Lord of War" should take a look on this one.
I can recommend this Movie to everyone! It's one of the best movies i've seen in the last 10 years, and i truly can say that i saw a way too much Movies! Also those who only pretend to watch Actionmovies and Thrillers like "The Expendables", "Blow", and "Lord of War" should take a look on this one.
- adrian-witt
- Jan 7, 2011
- Permalink
While I gave 'Nobody Knows' http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408664/ a perfect 10, I give this 6 because it tries too much too be sentimental and manipulate audience. Nobody Know was one of the saddest movies while the movie dose not too much tries to manipulate situations and characters. It just tells the story flat-out. And what a sad story!!! This flick just tries too much. And it show. Seeing thru director's intention while watching a movie is not a good thing. Maybe young girls may fall it, thanks heaven, not me! Like all other Japanese films, it's long movie, sometime painfully. Is there a law in Japan that Japanese films have to be long???
Though i've used IMDb for a long time, i felt compelled to finally create an account and write a comment on this movie - though it looks like these comments are just going be preaching to the choir! I'm 30 years old, and i can count on one hand the number of times that i have cried in my adult life. This is not to say that i completely lack emotion, nor is it to say that i haven't had tough times. It just seems that, even in my saddest moments, i can't even MAKE myself cry. Not only that, but i doubt i've shed more than a tear or two *ever* because of a movie - and i have a rather large collection.
That was before i watched this movie. I cried more during this movie than i've cried in my entire adult life. I was completely blown away by how beautiful and touching it was. All of us dream of finding true love - someone who inspires you so much that your feelings become poetry in your head. Someone who can stand next to you on the coldest autumn morning and make the sunrise feel like spring dawning. But what if you met that person, and you lost them? This movie asks that question, and it shows you how powerful and important love is.
I really can't say enough good things about this movie. I watched it without knowing anything about it at all. I didn't read the back of the movie, nor did i read any of the reviews - i just knew that it was a well regarded movie (i tend to do that with foreign movies). Although it took a while to really start feeling attached to the characters, by the middle of the movie i was emotionally on the edge of my seat. The movie is beautiful and inspirational. And i think you can tell by the torrent of 10/10s for this movie, it is a movie you will not soon forget.
That was before i watched this movie. I cried more during this movie than i've cried in my entire adult life. I was completely blown away by how beautiful and touching it was. All of us dream of finding true love - someone who inspires you so much that your feelings become poetry in your head. Someone who can stand next to you on the coldest autumn morning and make the sunrise feel like spring dawning. But what if you met that person, and you lost them? This movie asks that question, and it shows you how powerful and important love is.
I really can't say enough good things about this movie. I watched it without knowing anything about it at all. I didn't read the back of the movie, nor did i read any of the reviews - i just knew that it was a well regarded movie (i tend to do that with foreign movies). Although it took a while to really start feeling attached to the characters, by the middle of the movie i was emotionally on the edge of my seat. The movie is beautiful and inspirational. And i think you can tell by the torrent of 10/10s for this movie, it is a movie you will not soon forget.
This is a simple story about love in it's best context: Two shy people who fall in love, with a mystical occurrence added. It does not lecture; it demonstrates through kindness, gentleness and selflessness by all the characters. Before I review it, let me add that humans have generally the same set of emotions, in varying degrees, dictated by life experience, culture and genetic makeup. If you are young and inexperienced, or if you are cold hearted, this movie may mean nothing. If you are happily married, or have been married a long time, it may mean little. If you are a grandmotherly matron, or just old, you may dab your eyes a bit and move on. But if you are a person like me, who has known women like the one in the movie, and who has lost them through mistake or circumstance, it will strike a chord that will course through your soul and strike all the other chords of loss and grief that have lain dormant, until your body is ringing in a cacophony of resonating notes that pierce your heart and tell you once more your chance will never come again. Neither I nor the movie are religious, but somehow I kept thinking of First Corinthians:13 all through the film, because that is the best definition of true love that I know.
- jurgen-manycolored
- Jul 18, 2014
- Permalink
I sought out this film on the strength of the reviews on IMDb and regard it as a gentle, enjoyable romantic drama. The performance of the 3 main actors in the family are lifelike and believable. Also the story is one which requires a second viewing. Definitely one film to save for a rainy day!
The film is set in a small town and the plot involves a husband and son coping in life without the wife/mother who has died. Whilst walking one day the 2 remaining family members find a woman who looks exactly like the wife/mother but is behaving rather strangely. Is she who they think she is or is she someone else?
Pros - Brilliant performances, cinematography and direction
Cons - Apart from a minor flaw/feature in the plot, very believable
Overall - Excellent romantic drama
The film is set in a small town and the plot involves a husband and son coping in life without the wife/mother who has died. Whilst walking one day the 2 remaining family members find a woman who looks exactly like the wife/mother but is behaving rather strangely. Is she who they think she is or is she someone else?
Pros - Brilliant performances, cinematography and direction
Cons - Apart from a minor flaw/feature in the plot, very believable
Overall - Excellent romantic drama