A Japanese drama based on a true life story of a guide dog called Quill, a Labrador. Since dog won't tell a tale the whole story was told from a boy's perspective who was appearing on the screen for a very few minutes. It was just a formality to make the story reality and nothing more. This boy meets Quill somewhere midway of the dog's life and disappear forever. But in Quill's case it begins with his birth till his death so he's the hero of this movie and no one else.

A cute Labrador born with a dark mark in his side abdomen, a few weeks later the owner pick him to train as a guide dog. So the first partition to the puppy from his mother. He was sent to a couple's house to keep him till he becomes a young adult. So then the second partition which slightly hurts inside our heart. Then he becomes the one of a best guide dog and soon after he becomes someone's, a blind man's eye, a guide dog like he was trained. The rest of the story tells how he devotes his work and himself to his master.

There's no other better way to teach our kids about life than giving a puppy as a gift. They will learn how to take care an another soul, playing with them, fighting with them, chasing with them and all the above separation, facing the death of someone you love the most. I said this because I had one too and I learned many stuffs in life how to face it. So this movie is what intent to show us. Transforming from a cute puppy to an adult, faithful guide dog in a decade makes us to feel of seen a man's whole life as a dog.

This story was not intended to break the viewer's heart. So there's no strong animal and man bonding in this story like other dog movies had. They wanted to show us what's really happening in the real world and how a dog faces his hurdles throughout his life journey including the people he meet. But remember what I am saying, you won't control yourself, the more you try to hide your tears the more you will wet your eyes. Especially during last 20-15 minutes it was emotional, if you ever had a dog you will know the situation very well. It was the best dog movie (only by few margin) compared to 'Hachiko', 'Red Dog', 'Marley & Me' etc because those movies tells the tales of the dog and their relationship with the humans and mostly from a man's perspective. Those were entertainer masterpieces but this one was more like a some documentary movie. A must watch movie, I guess kids would love to see Quill.

10/10

I sat down in 2021 to watch the 2004 Japanese movie "Quill". Turns out that this was actually my second time to get to watch this, though I can't remember when I watched it the first time, but it was shortly after it was initially released.

Turns out that "Quill" is a very enjoyable movie. It is a movie that is as much heartfelt and lovable as it is entertaining and enjoying. And it should also be said that it is a very emotional story.

The story in "Quill" follows the dog named Quill from being a puppy, up through its training to become a guide dog for the visually impaired, and up to Quills final moments on this Earth.

Writers Shoichi Maruyama and Yoshihiro Nakamura did a great job in bringing the work of novelists Ryohei Akimoto and Kengo Ishiguro to a movie script. And director Yôichi Sai brought the story to life in a very enjoyable manner on the screen.

"Quill" is very nicely acted by the actors and actresses on the cast list, and you just can't help but fall in love with the adorable dog, Quill, itself.

Now, if you are the emotional type, then you might want to have a tissue or two at hand for this movie.

I can warmly recommend that you find the time to sit down and watch this 2004 timeless movie if you get the chance to do so. This is without a doubt a very beautiful and heartwarming movies. My rating of "Quill" lands on a well-deserved nine out of ten stars.

This review contains NO spoilers. I will just say that if you're one of those people who says, "I hate dog movies. Crazy antics. Slobber jokes. Prat falls.", that will have no bearing on your enjoying this film because it is about dignity, love, warmth and the beautiful spirit of a dog you'll wish you knew in real life.

The film is EXTREMELY well-acted, written, produced and directed. It provides a wonderful look at everyday Japan and never falls back on insulting or racist stereotypes that Western filmmakers perpetuate and Western film-goers buy into. There's nothing better than one's culture being presented by a native of that culture. It spares intelligent viewers the normal cringing that comes with ignorant portrayals of non-Anglo groups of people.

This is a great movie and should be an Oscar-winner. I will DEFINITELY own it when it comes out on DVD. I have never owned a dog in my life and usually am not touched or enthralled by "animal" or "pet" movies. But I loved "Quill," and I love Quill. When I buy my lab, I'm going to name him Quill.

'Nuff said.