THE FILM

"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" is a poignant story of animal attachment, glazed with a sporadically viscous coating of sentimentality. Based on a true story, which was made into a blockbuster Japanese motion picture in 1987, "Hachi" has been Americanized, taking an account of lifelong affection to an attractive Northeastern playground, not to mention hauling Richard Gere in for some required star power. A circular routine of smiles and tears, "Hachi" is delightfully gentle and engaging, refusing to bloat the material past an elementary message of canine loyalty.

On his way home from a train station, Professor Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) comes across a lost Akita puppy wandering around the rails. Fearing a horrible fate if left in the local pound, Parker brings the dog to his disapproving wife, Cate (Joan Allen), who demands an effort made to locate the rightful owner. Growing attached to the dog, branded Hachiko after a Japanese symbol left on his collar, Parker swiftly bonds with his furry pal, spending the year developing an unbreakable friendship. Picking up on a commute pattern, Hachi follows Parker to the train station to see him off every day, returning in the evening to greet his master, much to the delight of the locals (including Jason Alexander). However, when Parker doesn't return home one day, Hachi is left waiting for his master, with days turning into years as the dog patiently sits at the station, hoping his friend will return.

"Hachi" assumes a different set of goals than the spastic comedy stylings of dreck like "Marley & Me," which also explored the connection between man and dog, albeit in a far more slapstick manner befitting a mainstream release. "Hachi" is a more specialized product, with director Lasse Hallstrom cutting into the heart of demonstrative canine devotion, as Parker comes to adore his four-legged pal in a way that goes far beyond customary pet appreciation. Hachi is family, assuming a position of attention for Parker and Cate as they deal with empty nest syndrome, while giving the professor an unlikely escort for his daily grind of train rides.

Hallstrom isn't afraid to pull the cute card often, since Hachi is a gorgeous animal with knowing eyes and a lush coat of amber fur that begs to be stroked for hours on end. The chemistry between Hachi and Gere (who looks to be having the time of his life playing with the pooch) forms the spine of the picture, with their horseplay (including a skunk attack and television time) and acts of concern surprisingly organic, free of overt off-camera prodding. Hallstrom attempts to get into Hachi's mind with a bizarre use of "dog-vision" POV for certain sequences of animal perception, but the majority of the picture stays human and overwhelmingly sweet, never plunging into mawkish behavior. Hachi remains a steadfast dog of curiosity and company, not a slapstick machine tearing up the neighborhood. His proud Akita heritage wouldn't allow for such monkey business.

The final act heads into potent tearjerker realms, as Hachi holds out hope for Parker's return, while the rest of the community moves on, taking care of the dog without intruding on his demonstration of loyalty. It's wholly heartbreaking stuff, though modernized carefully by Hallstrom (the real Hachiko story dates back to the 1920s) and spread out to capture as many sniffles as possible. "Hachi" doesn't exactly know what to do with itself when reality sets in, but I suppose that sense of disorientation mirrors the dog's experience quite succinctly.

THE DVD

Visual:

The anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation maintains the rustic colors of the cinematography, with buoyant reds and warm browns dominating the frame. Overall push is relaxed to maintain a dreamy mood of domestic unity, with various moods properly conveyed. Skintones tend to run too pinkish to keep up with the color scheme, but the effort is not distracting. Black levels are muddy, but never overwhelm the intended information.

Audio:

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix rarely jumps at the listener, preferring to stay low with calm dialogue exchanges (always generously pronounced) and rich scoring cues, led by a sentimental score from Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. The music sounds full and emotive on the DVD. Train station atmospherics and classroom echo is pleasing, bringing some active depth to the track. Elements of danger and concern register clearly as well, bringing something of a rumbly bottom-end to the mix.

Subtitles:

English and English SDH subtitles are offered.

Extras:

"A Bond of Loyalty - The Making of 'Hachi: A Dog's Tale'" (17:51) is a very soft and gentle BTS featurette, with cast and crew interviewed in a hushed hotel setting. No significant revelations are made, and the supplement allows too much time for film clips, but there's a slight air of honest communication about the production. The best stuff is reserved for the dog talk, where the cast gushes over the various Hachis needed for filming.

A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hallstrom yanks on the heartstrings in the final reel, but the sentiment feels earned, paying off a tender tale of friendship with a touching closer sure to encourage sobs and considerable more respect for the privilege of pet companionship.