Review of Last Life in the Universe (2003) by Shawn P — 01 Jan 2009

This is one of those movies that has this strange indescribable feeling to it... it washes over you like a warm tide as you take it in. The main character played by Tadanobu Asano plays a well intentioned and quiet (somewhat depressed) librarian.

We open the movie up on him contemplating suicide, and follow a string of events at his residence that leads up to him going on a road trip of sorts and staying with a woman at her beach side house. The plot here really isn't going to do the film justice, because this film is all about how the story is told, the human interaction involved, and the style that it is all done in.

There are elements of mystery and romance blended perfectly and delivered with a poetic flair until the open ended conclusion which leaves you having to come up with your own interpretation of what happened.

This gets my highest recommendation; although I will say that many people will either love this or not get it at all. 5/5 stars.