Description: DVD Features: 5.1 surround sound Commentary track with Cinematographer Christopher Doyle Interviews with cast and crew Behind-the-Scenes footage Storyboards and original drawings by Christopher Doyle Theatrical trailer Previews Weblinks
If you’re interested in this this, these films may be of interest: Bright Future 6ixtyNin9 Lost In Translation The Last Samurai Bridge on the River Kwai
Hate to say it but this is almost laughably bad. This is an attempt at avant-garde or art film making on the part of a Japanese-Thai crew (with some western funding). The story, or what there is of one, revolves around a bookish yakuza living in Bangkok and working at the Japanese equivalent of a British Council library, and the sister of a Thai bargirl. They meet rather inauspiciously and the rest of the story is a Thai-Japanese buddy-bonding film. Not much happens, rather the interesting stuff that does (yakuza hit man kills protagonist's yakuza brother who in turns kills the hit man; female lead's gangster boyfriend becomes jealous of protagonist) doesn't go anywhere. This is the movie's downfall: It suffers from the lack of any kind of a compelling storyline. One wonders what the people who greenlighted this film were thinking. This is not to say that the movie isn't visually pleasing, it is, but even fast-forwarding through it to watch just that makes the movie last twice as long as it should. You may be thinking to yourself well yes, but I see nothing laughable about all this so I'll just use two examples I mentioned above to illustrate my point: Protagonist kills yakuza hitman with the gun he has found concealed inside a teddy bear wrapped up as a present belonging to the yakuza victim. Come now, who is going to believe that a yakuza's teddy bear is going to be used to conceal a gun half the size of the toy? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and trust me when I tell you that a yakuza's teddy bear gift is always just a teddy bear. Protagonist and female lead meet under unfortunate circumstances; the death of her sister when she is knocked down by a car. Now, look. I'm just as sentimental as the next guy but if I can enter into an intimate buddy relationship with an utter stranger immediately rather than waiting a day for my sister to die, I'd take the instant relationship. The point being that life is precious why waste time? This movie has a dozen jumping off points that could have been developed into something very cool but it simply never takes the leap. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody, not even to fans of Asano.
Ponderous, but never boring. An Enchanting High-minded art film... "Last Life in the Universe" is one film that I've always been curious about, but never took a chance in buying (I'm more an action/sci-fi guy). I rented this little offbeat and existential theme movie, and I have to say this film will find a spot in my extensive dvd collection. Directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, a Thai director responsible for "6ixtynin9", this film is beautifully shot, a dreamlike rumination on loneliness, suicide and second chances is definitely a must-see film.
Plot synopsis partially derived from back cover: A mysterious, obsessive-compulsive, suicidal Japanese man named Kenji (Tadanabu Asano) who lives in Bangkok, Thailand, is thrown together with a Thai woman (Beautiful Sinitta Boonyasak) through a tragic chain of events. The woman is everything he is not. He is a neat freak who keeps his dishes washed and his books neatly stacked and categorized. She dresses like a slob, smokes pot and never picks anything up. It's a match that somehow works, though. Slowly and entertainingly, more is revealed about the Japanese man and why he's suicidal and living in Bangkok.
The cinematography is fabulous in this enchanting little film. While it does have overt magical moments, like when Noi's house cleans itself (as a result of her smoking pot), Noi's character transforming, the film's style is more realistic than one would expect. I saw a few subtle use of symbolism, at times, the screenplay felt like an extended dreamscape. I saw 4 very subtle symbolism; Kenji's obsessive, compulsive, "clean freak" I think means that he is trying his best to keep whatever is left in his life in order while Noi's filthy house symbolizes her indifference to what will come next in her life. Kenji's house cleaning means that he brought direction in Noi's life. Noi's transformation to her "younger" self may be an expression of her becoming more optimistic (youngsters are more so) for the future.
Tadanobu Asano (Ichi the killer) radiates pure charisma even if his character is a bit of a nerdy one at first look. I don't want to spoil anything but the way the story made its slow revelations on Kenji's character is very nicely done and kept me interested. The dynamic chemistry between Asano and Thai hottie Sinitta Boonyasak is so strong and energetic that it will draw any viewer into their blossoming relationship. Even with the film's surrealistic tendencies, the lead characters' relationship plays out realistically. They break the language barrier with the use of English, the two leads feel a bond forming between them, not love or lust, but definitely something REAL and undeniable.
"Last Life in the Universe" may have the ability to depress viewers with its subject matter, but thankfully, the director managed to pitch a lot of humorous moments with Asano's deadpan reactions as well as some comical sequences with the trio of Yakuza hitmen.
VIDEO/AUDIO: 1.70 ratio Anamorphic widescreen. Clean transfer, a bit on the softer side with nice colors. 5.1 Dolby Digital English, Thai, Japanese. The subtitles are very good where needed.
Parting Thoughts: I am an action/sci-fi/fantasy guy, I can barely believe I am getting into " High-minded ART" films myself. Perhaps, I am getting old. The film is not pretentious, it is quite poetic and engrossing. Even though it is marked with a bit of a "sleepy" feel, the film never once failed to captivate me and will definitely not fail to engage an audience. Ponderous, "Last life in the Universe will submerge the viewer into its beautifully-drawn world from the 1st act. It is a beautiful breath of fresh air and is never boring... Highly recommended! (4 ½ stars)
Truncation and Elongation Side By Side Early in the film, I compared it to Tony Takitani and thought that differences can cheer people up when being with the perfect fit can cause depression to intensify and how it is easier to lift other people up than to help oneself.
I avoid Thai movies that have horror or fighting themes so it was a treat to see Thailand especially the old furniture. Surprisingly, this movie shot Bangkok in grey.
As for the story, it seemed familiar and predictable. I liked getting to see Thais in Thailand so it was an enjoyable experience despite the targeting of typical pulse points of alienation, distance between people, etc.
Asano Tadanobu is Kenji in this sublime work of art. Kenji, the head librarian at The Japan Foundation's library is a quiet hermit. Like many young Japanese, he is lonely. His loneliness and apathy for his own subsistence, has caused him to seek death. Kenji's entire focus is to commit suicide. Fortunately, before he has the chance to hang himself, slit his wrist, shoot himself in the head, he is interrupted by the common happenings of life, i.e., a phone call, a door bell, et cetera. Every scene, you are on the edge of your seat- certain that life is over for him. Kenji is totally doomed, until he meets Noi.
Last Life in the Universe is my favorite movie. My eyes run across this title in my movie collection, and I can't help but think about the raw chemistry that exists between the two characters.
Simply a marvelous masterpiece The combination of Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Asano Tadanobu, and Christopher Doyle is absolutely electrifying in as subtle a way as possible. Ratanaruang delivers a masterfully told boy-meets-girl story without all the chick flick mooshy-ness. It's the silence in this movie that speaks louder than the dialogue. Doyle's magnificent eye for shot composition helps that aspect, as well. Asano is, in my opinion, among the top 10 actors alive and he proves it with the portrayal of the main character. Watch 'Ichi the Killer' to see the opposite end of the spectrum of his abilities. Also, keep an eye out for Takashi Miike and his posse of typical actors in 'Last Life...'. Birds of a feather truly do flock together.
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