The Loyal Companion: A Story of Hachiko
A professor, returning from work one day, encounters a small, abandoned Akita puppy at the train station. This chance meeting blossoms into an extraordinary bond between man and dog, a bond that life, and eventually death, struggles to break.
Interestingly, before the film’s release, Akita breeders reportedly expressed concerns to director Lasse Hallström. They feared that the movie’s potential success would lead to a surge in demand for Akitas from romantically inclined viewers, overlooking the breed’s noble heritage as companions to shoguns, rather than mere cuddly pets.
A True Story of Loyalty
These concerns weren’t entirely unfounded. Hallström’s sentimental direction has a way of turning even the most mundane moments into touching scenes. However, accusing Hallström of excessive sentimentality would be unfair. “Hachiko” is based on a true story that unfolded in Japan during the 1920s. In its homeland, Hachiko is revered as a national hero, inspiring manga, books, and video games. A statue was even erected in his honor while he was still alive. The original Japanese film “Hachiko” was released in 1987, and Hallström’s version is a remake of this classic.
Hallström’s Challenge
This seemingly simple story presents a complex challenge for the director. Children and puppies are universally effective at eliciting emotional responses, requiring a delicate balance in portraying their charm. Hallström masterfully navigates this, even showing parts of the film from the dog’s perspective – muted colors, a low angle – suggesting a deeper interest in his canine character than in human emotions.
“Hachiko,” much like its titular hero, is honest and unpretentious. How can one not be moved by such a tale of unwavering loyalty?