His proud Akita heritage wouldn’t allow for such monkey business. Hachi remains a steadfast dog of curiosity and company, not a slapstick machine tearing up the neighborhood. Hallstrom attempts to get into Hachi’s mind with a bizarre use of “dog-vision” POV for certain sequences of animal perception, but the majority of the picture stays human and overwhelmingly sweet, never plunging into mawkish behavior. The chemistry between Hachi and Gere (who looks to be having the time of his life playing with the pooch) forms the spine of the picture, with their horseplay (including a skunk attack and television time) and acts of concern surprisingly organic, free of overt off-camera prodding. Hallstrom isn’t afraid to pull the cute card often, since Hachi is a gorgeous animal with knowing eyes and a lush coat of amber fur that begs to be stroked for hours on end.

Hachi is family, assuming a position of attention for Parker and Cate as they deal with empty nest syndrome, while giving the professor an unlikely escort for his daily grind of train rides. “Hachi” is a more specialized product, with director Lasse Hallstrom cutting into the heart of demonstrative canine devotion, as Parker comes to adore his four-legged pal in a way that goes far beyond customary pet appreciation. “Hachi” assumes a different set of goals than the spastic comedy stylings of dreck like “Marley & Me,” which also explored the connection between man and dog, albeit in a far more slapstick manner befitting a mainstream release. However, when Parker doesn’t return home one day, Hachi is left waiting for his master, with days turning into years as the dog patiently sits at the station, hoping his friend will return. Picking up on a commute pattern, Hachi follows Parker to the train station to see him off every day, returning in the evening to greet his master, much to the delight of the locals (including Jason Alexander).

Growing attached to the dog, branded Hachiko after a Japanese symbol left on his collar, Parker swiftly bonds with his furry pal, spending the year developing an unbreakable friendship. Fearing a horrible fate if left in the local pound, Parker brings the dog to his disapproving wife, Cate (Joan Allen), who demands an effort made to locate the rightful owner.

On his way home from a train station, Professor Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) comes across a lost Akita puppy wandering around the rails.

Is hachi a dogs tale good ?