2012 - Three teenage boys hide in an abandoned store as they seek a hiding place after (supposedly) doing something wrong. While they're arguing about what to do next, a letter is posted in the slit of the gate. It's so late in the night, why would someone post a letter now?
The boys check the outside area just to find it completely deserted...
Out of curiosity, they read the letter: it's from an aspiring musician, stating his music role model, John Lennon, died the day before...The letter is from 1980, 32 years ago!
Initially, they think of some kind of weird prank, but as they reply to the letter and receive another one shortly after, the boys start wondering what's going on.
1980 - Mr. Namiya owns a general store but he's also well known in town because of his 'advice board', where anyone could write about their issues and ask for suggestions. If it is a general matter, Mr. Namiya would reply directly on that board, but if the problem is more personal and needs a specific answer, people would post their letters in the gate's slit and would have their reply posted in the milk box on the side of the store.
Mr. Namiya is getting old, but still replies to those letters, but his health won't allow him to do so for much longer...or not?
1980 - Mr. Namiya owns a general store but he's also well known in town because of his 'advice board', where anyone could write about their issues and ask for suggestions. If it is a general matter, Mr. Namiya would reply directly on that board, but if the problem is more personal and needs a specific answer, people would post their letters in the gate's slit and would have their reply posted in the milk box on the side of the store.
Mr. Namiya is getting old, but still replies to those letters, but his health won't allow him to do so for much longer...or not?
My Opinion👍👎
What I like about Japanese movies is that when magic is involved, 9 times out of 10 the viewer won't get a logical explanation on why or how these magic events occur: they simply do, you just have to sit and enjoy the story...
Mr. Namiya takes his role as adviser and confidant very seriously and rejoices or saddens when the next letter updates him on the developments following his suggestions. He's a good man, who genuinely cares about others' well-being and really tries his best to give empowering, yet practical advice.
Mr. Namiya' story is able to affect the three boys' way of thinking and dealing with their own problems: as they start replying to the letters, they also reflect on their current situation, but what's most magical is that the people writing those letters are somehow connected to the boys and will lead them to make the right decisions in order to get their life back on track.
This movie is based on the same-name novel by Keigo Higashino and the only thing I didn't like about this adaptation was the few scenes that don't add anything to the story.
You have to already be a fan of this kind of story, where the flow is fairly slow due to the presence of silent and pensive moments, which are necessary to put the viewer in the right mindset.
...and this one is emotional and profound, to say the least!
Mr. Namiya takes his role as adviser and confidant very seriously and rejoices or saddens when the next letter updates him on the developments following his suggestions. He's a good man, who genuinely cares about others' well-being and really tries his best to give empowering, yet practical advice.
Mr. Namiya' story is able to affect the three boys' way of thinking and dealing with their own problems: as they start replying to the letters, they also reflect on their current situation, but what's most magical is that the people writing those letters are somehow connected to the boys and will lead them to make the right decisions in order to get their life back on track.
This movie is based on the same-name novel by Keigo Higashino and the only thing I didn't like about this adaptation was the few scenes that don't add anything to the story.
You have to already be a fan of this kind of story, where the flow is fairly slow due to the presence of silent and pensive moments, which are necessary to put the viewer in the right mindset.
Rating: 3½/5
Ph: asianwiki.com & video-mierutv2.crank-in.net
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