My Name is KenjiWhy do I want to kill myself?
I don't know.I wouldn't kill myself for the same reasons as other suicidal people.
Money problems...
Broken heart...
Hopelessness...
No, not me.
Many books say "Death is relaxing."Did you know that?
No need to follow the latest trends...
No need to keep pace with the rest of the world...
No more e-mail...
No more telephone...
It'll be like taking a nap...
Before waking up refreshed and ready to begin your next life.
That's what they say.This is BLISS....
Plot Overview :
Kenji is a mild-mannered and unassuming young man with an unconventional fixation: plotting his own suicide. After catching a glimpse of a girl in a school uniform at the library where he works, he feels himself drawn to this elusive figure. That night, as he ponders jumping off of a busy bridge, he catches sight of her—just in time to witness her tragic death. Through this horrific event he meets Noi , the girl's older sister. A tentative, uneasy relationship begins to develop as they try to console their silent grief and attempt to break the sense of despair and isolation gripping their respective lives.Review :
'Last Life in the Universe' is a curious film that refuses to be pinned down to a particular style or genre, but is particularly Asian in its approach and outlook. The film is primarily a romantic comedy, the story of a lonely, self-absorbed Japanese man in Bangkok, unable to relate to the chaos that surrounds him,who eventually discovers himself in his attempt to communicate with a person he cannot understand and who can barely understand him – linguistically as well as behaviourally. However the film also unusually features a particularly violent yakuza sub-plot and elements of black humour in the depiction of Kenji’s imagined suicide attempts.
Human isolation is not a new subject in cinema (think of Michelangelo Antonioni's masterpieces L'Avventura and L'Eclisse), but it's an extremely difficult concept to translate into visual terms. Director Pen-ek Ratanaruang and master cinematographer Christopher Doyle certainly had their work cut out for them with this film, and they end up approaching the material the same way Antonioni once did: depicting the languishing internal states of the main characters through the environments they inhabit. Take, for example, the opening scenes of the film. Set in Kenji's immaculate apartment, its color scheme of sterile grays and whites, the neatly stacked books lined up on symmetrical shelving, and the methodically arranged refrigerator all indicate loneliness and despair.
On a first viewing, the film is indeed a confusing and unsettling experience, lulling the viewer into a easy-flowing romance with soothing music .Kenji &Noi make attempts to get to know each other but, because of the language barriers, there are long pauses between questions and answers. What little conversation there is takes place with a background drone of a Japanese language tape along with the softly beautiful music creates a soothing dreamlike state. As the relationship between Kenji and Noi becomes warmer, Doyle deepens the colors in the house and Pen-Ek stimulates our senses by showing the house cleaning itself as books fly onto shelves and papers flutter through the air to their resting place.
Two things contribute to the increased attractiveness of the film. The first is the presence of Japanese superstar Tadanobu Asano. He simply does more with less. He is able to be in the film and yet be in his own world at the same time; furthering Pen-Ek’s plot and yet projecting his own story of lost alienation as well. He brings a sort of childish innocence mixed with intellectual mayhem to the screen.In addition to Tadanobu’s great acting, this film has the cinematography of Christopher Doyle. After collaborating with Won Kar wai on 8 films ,Zhang Yimou on 'Hero' ,Doyle seems able to identify inherently with the subtlety and patience of Asian directors. Doyle eases off the over-emotive lighting and works with Pen-ek Ratanaruang to create economical images that are suffused with history and feeling. The film includes a tight knit supporting cast that includes Takashi Miike (director of Audition ,Ichi the Killer,Gozu )as a tough crime boss.Parting Thoughts :
Although it was Thailand's submission for the 2003 Academy Awards, it's easy to see why Last Life in the Universe ultimately failed to garner a nomination. Competing against loud and attention-grabbing films like Hero and The Crime of Padre Amaro, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's quiet and unassuming meditation on isolation and human connection simply got lost in the crowd.Thank goodness for DVDs and torrents , which allow discriminating movie watchers to discover small treasures that would otherwise be lost in the shuffle. This isn't a film that will appeal to a large group of movie viewers, but those willing to submit to the hypnotic power of this film will find a sublime and haunting viewing experience like few others.Title : Last Life in the universe (2003)
Dir :Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Cast :Tadanobu Asano ,Sinitta Boonyasak
Country :Thailand
Language : Thai, Japanese , English
Rated R for Violence ,sexual content
DVD Features :
• Commentary Track with Cinematographer Christopher Doyle
• Interview with Director Pen-ek Ratanaruang
• Collection of Original Artwork by Christopher Doyle
• Theatrical Trailer
Trailer Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qObuMyu3NHQ
Torrent File Name : Last.Life.In.The.Universe.2003.PROPER.DVDRip.XviD-iLS
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