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Last Life in the Universe Actors: Tadanobu Asano, Sinitta Boonyasak, Takashi Miike Director: Pen-Ek Ratanaruang Number of Items: 1 Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Studio: Umvd/Visual Entertai Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2005-02-15 Buy from Amazon |
 "Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen"I saw Last Life In The Universe when it was released for a week long engagement here in LA and was immediately captivated by it. It's rare to watch a movie these days and find yourself so cpmpletely enthralled by its beauty that the story takesa back seat to simple character interactions, and the sound of the ocean. That is not to say the movie lacks a plot, rather the plot is not focused on, or explained, but rather derived by the viewer who is willing to piece together a tapestry of unspoken facts. I won't ruin the film for you, rather I will simply say that watchingLast Life is like relaxing under a shady tree, beautiful, serene and enjoyable in a way that cannot really be described. "21st century cross-cultural love story"Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's 2003 film, Last Life in the Universe, is an intelligently crafted drama of two polar opposites who meet under unusual circumstances. Kenji, Japanese, is living in Bangkok, and is a suicide-obsessed neat freak librarian whose brother is a yakuza. The brother, played by none other than Mr. Intensity himself, prolific Japanese director Takashi Miike, comes to the librarian's apartment to hide out for a short time but while there, tragedy ensues and Kenji has to leave, fast. Noi, a native Thai (the director is Thai) is arguing with her younger sister in the middle of traffic. When they stop in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, yelling at each other, Noi telling her sister to leave, tragedy of a different kind occurs and Noi is left completely numb. Noi, as it happens, is a total slob. When these two meet--both in their 20s--there's a halting, push-pull back and forth that is underscored by lack of familiarity with the other's language. They speak to each other in hesitant English that gives their attempts at connecting to each other a much greater poignance and heartfelt feeling than if they'd been both Thai or both Japanese. The subtlety of this connection is so sensitively created that it is a real pleasure to watch this film, to see two mismatched people try to converge emotionally. In one brilliant scene, Noi lies with her head in Kenji's lap and for a brief moment, we see not Noi lying there, but her younger sister, now gone. Interestingly enough, this film was submitted to the Cannes Film Festival at the same time as Lost in Translation with similar thematic elements and is, in my opinion, a far better film. Unfortunately it did not win anything. The director's previous work, which has garnered strong praise from various sources, is, alas, not available domestically; it definitely should be. UPDATE: Good news! The comedy 6ixtyNin9 by the same director will be out domestically in January 2005. A beautifully made film that should be seen by those tired of American cinematic cliches and want something fresh, original, and unique. Very highly recommended.  "WOW!!"I LOVED this movie. The casting is EXCELLENT and Tadanobu Asano's performance is outstanding as usual. There's a funny cameo appearance by Takashi Miike as one of the yakuza. And of course, the cinematography by Christopher Doyle is SUPERB. I would definitely recommend this movie 100%. A definite must for all movie lovers. "Gentle balance between logic and illusion..."A superb balance between sensual stimulation and a slippery slide in and out of logical reasoning. This movie is well worth watching and provides the viewer with amazing beauty. The story is very thin but most definitely not lacking in plot. I feel that if the movie had more of a story, the essence of it would be lost. It is a simple movie, but in no way is it simplistic. Enjoy. |
