Did you ever wish in the movie, “Hachi” that life had been easier on him ?
Groundbreaking writing.
It’s interesting to note before the Rewrite begins at the end of the movie Hachi passes on and his soul is reunited with his owner. It reminded me of two other movies, “The Notebook,” when the couple fell asleep together and peacefully passed away. It also reminded me of the movie, “Braveheart” when William Wallace is killed and is reunited with his wife who died earlier.
With that said, the ending of the movie, “ Hachi “ was perfect. Nevertheless, the 9 years of him going back and fourth to the train station, waiting for his beloved owner was heart wrenching. Let’s rewrite some of that.
Rewrite begins now;
“Hachi” was made in 2009 and the movie “Marley & Me” was made in 2008. So now back to 2009. Several months into that year, Hachi became a household name. People were in admiration of such loyalty. This went beyond the slogan, “Dog is man’s best friend”. Hachi struck a cord with the entire world.
Although 18 months had passed since Marley’s death, the Owen Wilson Character from “Marley and Me”, still couldn’t come to grips with his death.
So the Owen Wilson Wilson character took a train from Florida into the very town in Rhode Island that Hachi waits for his fallen human dad everyday. His wife and kids were very upset when he boarded the train but understood this was a necessary voyage for closure about Marley’s passing.
It was just something that he had to do. The Owen Wilson character feels sad even thinking it but has to admit the truth to himself, as much as he loved his family, nothing could fill the void of Marley.
Upon the Florida train entering the Rhode Island Town, The Owen Wilson Character sees Hachi from the window and is amazed at his focus. Months after the Richard Gere character of the movie “Hachi” dies, Hachi remains committed for a reunion. Despite his vigilance, Hachi was getting very lonely and disappointed each day.
When The Owen guy approaches the world renown dog, it was love at first sight. In the same way dogs smell fear, Hachi can smell the loss that The Owen guy felt over Marley. Even though Hachi and the Owen Wilson character guy are complete strangers, they had an immediate spiritual connection. The Owen guy was so happy, he kept saying, “You complete me. You complete me”. Hachi was literally howling and barking uncontrollably.
So the Owen Wilson character retrieves his mobile phone and goes to Google translate to figure out what the dog is saying. Leave it to Google, only they could’ve cracked the language barrier between man and dog. So he puts his phone to Hachi’s mouth and the dog was saying, “We complete me, We complete me”. The Owen Wilson guy knew that Google’s translation sometimes gives the literal meaning and some of the translation gets lost in textation.
Nonetheless, the Owen Wilson guy liked that version better and was rejoicing with the dog shouting out, “We complete Me, We complete me.” — Owen assured Hachi that he will still meet the Richard Gere guy in the after-life, but for now in this life, their journey will be together.
Hachi was elated. He said to himself, I guess this is what they mean when they say, “Ask and you shall receive.” — The Richard Gere Character was now at peace in the after-life because he knew that his best friend Hachi was OK and they would meet again.
Being the Owen Wilson guy “Paid it forward” for Hachi, the Richard Gere guy finds Marley in the after-life and puts Marley’s angst at ease. He told Marley, the Owen Wilson guy is doing great and its time to move on and we can move on together. Marley was thrilled, so thrilled that he introduced the Richard Gere guy to his two best friends, Lassie & Benji.
It’s relationships like this that inspired the expression, “Untied we Stand, Divided we fall.”
Moreover, it’s relationships like this that inspired Barry Manilow to sing ♫♫♫ I can’t smile without you, I feel glad when your glad, I feel sad when your sad ♫♫♫.
The End…. The movie still would’ve been great.
