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Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Erick Avari ... see more see more... , Jason Alexander

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 ... read more read more...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

Flixster Users

85% liked it

10,660 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

26 critics

G, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Lasse Hallström

Release Date: December 18, 2009

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DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010

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Stats: 2,118 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,118)

  • bbcfloridabound
    December 8, 2011
    bbcfloridabound
    A great family film but real tear jerker. If your a animal lover or have a dog you will cry your eyes out on this movie. About a dog who is faithful to his master even after his death. A must see, no tissues, you will need paper towels. 5 Stars
  • deano
    April 16, 2011
    deano
    This wonderful family film is one of the most treasured and heartwarming true stories ever told. In this story grows deeper, a beautiful friendship of a dog and his master unfolds embodying the true spirt of family and loyalty, while inspiring the hearts of an entire town. Beauti... read morefully shot and edited. At the end of the movie, I was in tears absolutely broken down crying my eyes out because I really love dogs.
    Richard Gere makes fantastic performance, he bonds really well with the dog and it never feel like watching an actor at all - it genuinely seems to be a movie with his own dog!
    This film generally adheres to the actual true story of a golden brown Akita dog in Japan in 1924. Highly recommendation!
    Remade of Japanese's 1987 movie, Hachiko Monogatari (aka The Tale of Hachiko).
  • CloudStrife84
    March 13, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Very sad and touching story. It makes me proud to be a Swede whenever Lasse Hallström makes a movie of such beauty and high quality. But it's not just the directing and plot that's great, but also the acting in general. Richard Gere brings a really warm and heartfelt performance ... read moreto the screen, and his bonding with the dog Hachiko is very authentic in its essence. The fact that it's based on a true story made it even more affecting. It's not often a movie makes me cry, but this one had me in tears during its last half hour. Anyone who is a dog lover ought to see and enjoy this wonderful film.
  • imrealgod
    August 28, 2010
    imrealgod
    I feared it would be just a simple story about a dog's love & loyalty towards his master, only stretched dramatically. However, when I read too many good reviews for it, I fell for it. But as fate would have it, it turned out to be exactly what I initially feared it would be, and... read more nothing incredible as the great responses made me expect how it would be. It gets monotonous & repetitious at points & certain stills are dragged, but I guess that was necessary since they wanted to make a full length feature film. Its biggest failure was its inability to make me feel for the characters. There's quite a bit of emotions put in there to show the bonding between Hachi & Richard Gere's character, but nothing extraordinary. Hardly any of it appealed to me.

    I guess I'd have liked it better had it been 20-25 minutes short film, but it definitely didn't work very well for me as a full length feature film. Maybe dog/pet lovers would appreciate this flick more than I ever could. 4.5/10.
  • roygutteridge
    August 6, 2010
    roygutteridge
    An immensely appealing drama about the extraordinary love and devotion of a dog for his beloved human companion. ...a warm and winning family movie about a scholar (Richard Gere) who discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home from work.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    July 13, 2010
    FiLmCrAzY
    OMG i absolutely loved this movie, its not a movie to e watch because of its fantastic storyline because there isnt much to the plot but its so emotional, sweet and tugs at the heart that its hard not to cry.
    It does truly teach you the meaning to loyalty which i love.
    its abou... read moret a professer (richard gere) that comes into possession of this little puppy who he eventually keeps, they make a special bond that no-one else come have and gives you a very true and emotional relationship between dog and man!

    When watching this i do advise you to have a bunch of tissues because once you start crying you really cannot stop it is soo sad and brilliant you'l be crying for ages!
  • hobster1
    April 25, 2010
    hobster1
    Affectionate tale about the strong bond between a dog and his master. This warm hearted drama is well acted, has a pretty score and beautiful cinematography, much of it from the dog's point of view. Several tender moments quietly illustrate how devoted a pet can be. Sadly that... read more's a pretty flimsy excuse to sustain a feature length film. In The U.S. the movie went direct to video and in fact, this sentimental drama would have played better as a hour long TV show. This greeting card will give warm fuzzies to dog lovers everywhere, but ultimately the story is just too slight. Director Lasse Hallström and actor Richard Gere also worked together 3 years earlier in The Hoax.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    April 23, 2010
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "A true story of faith, devotion and undying love."

    A drama based on the true story of a college professor's bond with the abandoned dog he takes into his home.

    REVIEW

    So you thought the end o... read moref Marley and Me was sad? Oh, you haven't seen nothing yet. Hachiko takes the opposite approach. Instead of the dog dying on the owner, the owner dies on the dog. This is actually based on a true story except it happened in the 1940s instead of in the present day. Richard Gere, well, it's Richard Gere, what more can be said? Richard Gere doesn't need to do too much to light up the screen. But the real star is (are) the dog(s) that portray(s) Hachiko. You don't expect so much emotion and facial expression to come from a canine and that is why the last twenty minutes or so of this movie is so gut wrenching. We feel for the dog as if it is human, perhaps feel even stronger for it because it is not human and doesn't know that its master isn't going to someday reappear. This is a very fun, lighthearted movie that at the last moment turns into a true tear jerker. It becomes so sad that it is quite disturbing. Keep that in mind if you are planning to show it to the kids.
  • blacksheepboy
    January 5, 2010
    blacksheepboy
    This is a very interesting story based on true-life events, it shouldn't try so hard to be a tearjerker, it could be touching just by itself.
  • fb100001947407398
    March 23, 2012
    fb100001947407398
    Hachi : A Dog's Story is based on a true story about a college professor who finds an abandoned dog at a train station. He takes it home, despite his wife being uncomfortable with it-at least at first. The man then starts to grow an intimate friendship with the dog.

    Hachi is an... read more admittedly adorable dog, and any dog lover will sure be sure to smile as soon as they see him. But unfortunately, being cute is just about the only thing this film has to offer. The entire story is simply about a man who becomes great friends with a dog, and this story stays until the very end. At times, there is some concentration on the people around him. Some people think he's become a bit "loony" because of his obsession with his best friend. And His wife becomes isolated from him. His daughter also informs him that she is having a child, and that excites him. However, it focuses very little on any other issues but the dog itself-until the final heartbreaking moment in which will not be spoiled in this review. If you are the type of person who has an undying love for dogs, than this might just be a good choice for you (bring a box of tissues.) But if you are someone who is looking for a good story, than you should walk away from this one.

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Critic Reviews

Alissa Simon
April 29, 2010
Alissa Simon, Variety

Pic's main problem is that its human story lacks drama; Hachi's the central attraction. Full Review

Chris Nashawaty
March 11, 2010
Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly

Even the manliest moviegoer likes to have a good cry from time to time. Full Review

Joly Herman
December 19, 2010
Joly Herman, Common Sense Media

Dramatic story of a dog's devotion is emotionally intense. Full Review

Christopher Lloyd
October 17, 2010
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 20, 2010
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

An immensely appealing drama about the extraordinary love and devotion of a dog for his beloved human companion. Full Review

Robbie Collin
March 16, 2010
Robbie Collin, News of the World

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. Full Review

Derek Malcolm
March 16, 2010
Derek Malcolm, This is London

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. Full Review

Henry Fitzherbert
March 16, 2010
Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express

A simple, old-fashioned heartwarmer that all the family can enjoy. Full Review

Anthony Quinn
March 16, 2010
Anthony Quinn, Independent

Bland beyond endurance. Full Review

Nigel Andrews
March 16, 2010
Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

This is mutt mush, pure and simple-minded, for those in the mood. Full Review

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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.
    • Ken: Ronnie - 11 years: Where did Grandpa find Hachi?
    • Cate Wilson: Ronnie, actually, Hachi found your grandfather.
    • Carl: Look, you don't have to wait anymore. He's not coming back.
    • 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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