Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 26
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 10
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 0
liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 12,306
Movie Info
Based on the 1987 Japanese film Hachiko Monogatari, as well as on a true story, Hachi: A Dog's Tale stars Richard Gere as a college professor who finds an abandoned dog and takes the poor lost animal in. The film follows the two as the man and animal soon form a strong and unexplainable bond. Joan Allen co-stars in the Inferno Entertainment production. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi
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Cast
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Richard Gere
Parker Wilson -
Joan Allen
Cate Wilson -
Sarah Roemer
Andy Wilson -
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Erick Avari
Jasjeet -
Jason Alexander
Carl
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Hachi: A Dog's Tale Trailer & Photos
All Critics (26) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (10) | DVD (3)
Pic's main problem is that its human story lacks drama; Hachi's the central attraction.
Top CriticSensitively directed and rarely over-sentimental, this touching parable will likely ravish the emotions of dog lovers.
Even the manliest moviegoer likes to have a good cry from time to time.
Dramatic story of a dog's devotion is emotionally intense.
An unapologetic tear-jerker. You might resent being emotionally manipulated by this film, but I challenge even the most hard-hearted moviegoer not to spill some saltwater while watching it.
An immensely appealing drama about the extraordinary love and devotion of a dog for his beloved human companion.
This is the film equivalent of Nice biscuits, or snow globes, or N-Dubz. You're vaguely aware that they exist but you don't know anyone who actually likes them.
Itâ(TM)s an extraordinary and touching story but told with too beady an eye on the box-office for comfort - even if youâ(TM)re a doggy person.
A simple, old-fashioned heartwarmer that all the family can enjoy.
Bland beyond endurance.
This is mutt mush, pure and simple-minded, for those in the mood.
Lasse Hallstrom dishes up more classy mediocrity with this brazenly uncomplicated treat for dog lovers.
Painstakingly innocuous.
Hachiko: A Dog's Tale is pretty pointless, and the director, Lasse Hallstrom, who made his name with the remarkable Swedish movie My Life As a Dog, continues to punch below his weight with another candied slice of sweet-natured Americana.
The subsequent tragic events are moving rather than just manipulative, while the bond between man and canine is treated with a tender gravitas that might surprise those expecting merely some doggie-themed weepie.
The man who once directed What's Eating Gilbert Grape? is now the Hallmark greeting card of movie-makers.
It's not a story that could ever move me: all I see in it is a dumb animal who doesn't know any better.
Come the sniffly denouement, it would take a hard heart not to be won over. Even cynics might find their noses a little wet.
In the canon of recent canine cinema, there are far worse movies than this.
Not a dry eye in the house - but not irritating schmaltz either.
...a warm and winning family movie about a scholar (Richard Gere) who discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home from work.
Audience Reviews for Hachi: A Dog's Tale
Super Reviewer
It truly is amazing that this story is actually based on a true story. A story this amazing does not need over the top piano score or pointless dog's point of view shots to be touching. Too bad that director Lasse Hallstrom does not trust into this story and instead uses every possible trick he can to make Hachi's story touching as possible. End result is so over the top with all the sugary elements that at times it is so very close to turn into parody of a tearjerker. Hallstrom's lifeless direction and weak characters with zero of depth or charisma does not also actually help.
Here is a film that loses it's potential while pushing too hard for tears. Audiences does not need to be spoonfed like they do in here. Less can often be more and that is something which filmmakers here has forgot. Hachi: A Dog's Tale is a well meaning missfire from Hallstrom and his team.
Super Reviewer
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- Ken: [talking in Japanese] It's been a year, hasn't it? I wake up sometimes in the middle of the night and think about Parker. He was a good friend. I understand how you feel. Hachi, my friend, Parker is never coming home. But if Hachiko wants to wait, then Hachiko should wait. You want to wait for him, don't you? Have a long life, Hachi.
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- Ken: Ronnie - 11 years: Where did Grandpa find Hachi?
- Cate Wilson: Ronnie, actually, Hachi found your grandfather.
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- Carl: Look, you don't have to wait anymore. He's not coming back.
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- Parker Wilson: I'm a lot older than you but I tend to think that there's an element of music that cannot be captured. Life cannot be captured. Human heart cannot be captured. The moment of creation itself is fleeting.
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Movie: ID: 770809201 Title: Hachi: A Dog's Tale Release Date: 2009-12-18 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 1 Status: 1
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Foreign Titles
- Hachiko - eine wunderbare Freundschaft (DE)
- Hachi: A Dog's Tale (UK)
