Sob over this emotional masterpiece.
In 1980s Kyushu, two teenagers fell in love, and exchanged their secrets and thoughts by way of sending tape recordings to each other. More than a decade later, the boy (now grown-up and bittered) rediscovers the last recording of his long-dead lover's voice. Her words trigger a series of flashbacks illustrating the joyful beginning and tragic end of their relationship.
Thirty-something salaryman Saku (Tako Osawa) returns home to find his fiancee (Kou Shibasaki) gone, leaving behind over a cryptic note. To find her, Saku revisits his hometown and is overwhelmed by a tsunami of emotions as long-buried memories of his departed high school first love, Aki (Masami Nagasawa), come flashing back on a stormy afternoon reminiscent of a fateful day 17 years ago.
Renowned director Isao (Go, Love Letter) captures the tenderness of first love brilliantly by juxtaposing the present with the past. A lingering sadness permeates the film, but there is also a sense of hope - evident in a missing cassette tape that will soon reach its owner. The film certainly lives up to its reputation of being Japan's top-grossing romantic film and also one that "made the whole of Japan weep". The strong, likeable cast give their best, especially young newcomers Mirai (who plays young Saku) and Masami. Pretty Masami sparkles as the precocious Aki who teaches Saku how to love, while beady-eyed Mirai gives an emotional performance portraying the struggle of losing a loved one.
Don't forget your hankies.
Official website:
http://aiosakebu.yahoo.co.jp/(Picture and text taken from
www.cathay.com.sg and THE NEW PAPER Tues, 5 Jul 2005)
