Be with You

I've always adored Asia. Since I was about 5 years old. This goes especially for Japan. So I guess it's kind of natural that I got drawn to Japanese movies. I've always been a great fan of drama films and why not romance too.

I started to watch this movie without knowing anything about it. The first minute caught my eye right away. The view was beautiful and the music was incredible too. I thought: "This has to be a great film!" So I watched the movie in one breath. It got me, totally. It's a movie to make even the toughest man cry like a baby. Every scene looks beautiful, every dialogue has a deep meaning (at least I found one.) The music is just what the movie needs. The ending surprised me as it was a little bit longer than to be assumed, but it didn't ruin anything. It covered a few holes and made it look good.

If you like touching drama movies, if you like romance even a bit, This is just the movie for you.

I do not consider myself to be in the target market for this kind of movie (male, late 20's). However, I bought this movie off an online site due to some reader recommendations. After finishing the movie, I was obsessed!!! I couldn't stop thinking about it and couldn't stop raving about it.

The acting and the direction is great, although a bit cheesy at times, but it works well. Yuko Takeuchi is such a beautiful actress. What I mean by beautiful is not her physical appearance (although she is pretty), but by the way she conveys her emotions and makes the viewer believe that she really is Mio. Everyone else does their role perfectly too, and the soundtrack really does a great job, especially the overture towards the end of the movie.

Overall, anyone who has a pulse will enjoy this movie. Personally it affected me a lot and it has turned me into a Japanese movie fan. You will struggle to find a negative review about this movie anywhere, and I really encourage all the males to watch it especially so they can get in touch with their emotional side (haha...). I've seen it seven times within two months and it still affects me each time I watch it. Some of my friends thinks I'm crazy but they don't understand the relationship I have with these characters (hahaha...I can't believe I'm typing this..my friends will laugh at me). Undoubtedly in my books, the best movie ever, and a moment to cherish with loved ones, or even by yourself (so the guys can cry and not feel embarrassed that anyone is looking at them).

I saw this film in Japan. It is absolutely beautiful, and very moving. Probably the most moving film I have seen in recent memory. The story is very sweet, full of of young love and the love within a family. The second half had me, and every other member of the audience (which spanned a very large demographic range), bawling (one 6yo girl had to be taken out of the cinema she was in such a state). It does seem like a very long film, the ending went on longer than expected, but it tied the film together and fitted with the rest of the film. I love Hana, the end song done by Orange Range. All the elements of this film mesh together perfectly to make it an amazing experience. It's a bit of a pity the DVD doesn't have English subtitles, but for those who know a reasonable amount of Japanese, it's well worth it.

I have seen this movie in cinema twice already, a thing I rarely do as most movie could be available in DVD very soon. But after I learned that the DVD only be available after 24/6 in Japan, I have no choice but to go see it again as the urge inside me is so strong. Every time when I think about the movie, I almost shed tears every time when I reasoning what a decision Mio had been made. It is such moving that I wish it will be happened in real life.

The second view was still amazing, despite that fact that I know the plot already. There are still a lot of subtle things which are hard to notice during the initial view but reveal to me now. Every single dialog of Mio talk to Takumi and Yuji during the latter half revealed a deeper meaning to me after I understand the rationale behind. But I wont give out the plot of Mio as I felt it is a shame or guilt to do so, people should watch it themselves, feel touched and moved and being heartwarmingly satisfied when the end credit rolls. Only thing I can reveal is that I have paid special attention of what Mio wear during her first appear…… I immediately search all the stores after first view and bought the sound track and the CD that contained "Hana" sung by the band Orange Range. I have watch the MV of Hana too that song is amazing and that the lyric meaning is so touching that I nearly cry when I watch the MV alone.

I recommend all who happen can come across with this movie to view it. It is not a movie to be missed. However the initial DVD produced in Japan have no other subtitle other than Japanese, which is bad as I want to sent a copy to my American friend. This film is indeed a miracle and should be seen by as many people as possible, not just Asian.

Reading the summaries and reviews of the film, I had several expectations of what would happen. The grieving husband and son of a woman who died at a young age struggle with her loss. Miraculously, she comes back to life ( returning from heaven or some other place) for 6 weeks, one year after her death, during the rainy season, only to leave again after the season is over.

Considering the "coming back to life" plot device isn't without precedent, the American film "Ghost" (with Demi Moore) is but one example, I expected the characters to display the usual gamut of emotions - initial shock that the person has come back, joy that they get to relive their moments together, and ultimately grief that he/she must depart again. This film was not without those moments, but the quality of the acting and the beautiful scenery and photography put it a cut above the rest. However, what puts this film into "classic" status is the ingenious weaving of past, present, and future to deliver a stunning finale that will put every missing piece of the puzzle into place while leaving the audience simply awestruck with emotion. There are few films which I would tell a friend or associate that they "must see this now." This is one of them. Just see it and be amazed.