I'm a grown man who usually scoffs at schmaltzy or overly melodramatic films. I will admit that a select few films have caused me to shed a tear over the years but nothing compares to the emotional impact I experienced while watching "Hachi: A Dog's Tale". This elegant film tells a simple story of unconditional love and loyalty between a man and his dog. The less one knows about the particulars of the story the better so I will not go into the details of the narrative. Suffice to say that watching this film is like reliving your first real heart-break from the perspective of yourself at that particular age. The emotional sting was so raw and vivid that at certain times I found myself reliving poignant moments of love and loss from my past. I'm not ashamed to admit that the tears came early and flowed freely during the last half hour of this film. This story is so deeply moving that it compelled me to openly weep without regard for manly composure. At one point I gazed at my wife as she was inconsolably sobbing and whimpering like a child. She was in such a state that I asked her if I she would prefer that I turn off the TV. She managed to whipser "no" so I took her hand in mine and held her close for the remainder of the film. At the conclusion we sat in silence, our hearts heavy and worn, long after the final credits had ran past. I awoke that night with thoughts of love and commitment mixed with the same deep feelings of sorrow and loss. I'm reminded of how fortunate I am to have experienced the bond of unconditional love. It is a true miracle and should be cherished...no matter how long its lasts. I think that I will remember this film and its message for the rest of my life.