Mitsuru Watanabe (Kaoru Kobayashi) and Quill as seen in QUILL: THE LIFE OF A GUIDE DOG, a film directed by Yoichi Sai. Picture courtesy of Music Box Films.
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Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2004/2012)
Also Known As: Quill
Opened: 05/18/2012 Limited
| Limited | 05/18/2012 | |
| Cinema Village... | 05/18/2012 - 06/07/2012 | 21 days |
| Music Box Thea... | 05/18/2012 - 05/31/2012 | 14 days |
| DVD | 07/10/2012 |
Trailer: Click for trailer
Websites: Home
Genre: Japanese Drama (Japanese w/English subtitles)
Rated: Unrated
Quill, when I walk with you, I realize what it is to be alive.
Synopsis
Born with a curious mark on his side resembling a bird spreading its wings, Labrador Retriever puppy Quill's life as a normal dog drastically changes when he leaves his mother's side to become a seeing-eye dog. He is sent to live with a couple, Isamu and Mitsuko Nii, who work as volunteer foster parents training seeing-eye dogs. There he basks fully in their love and spends his puppy days running around innocently and full of vigor.
When he grows into an adult dog, he is taken to a guide dog school by a friendly, yet firm, trainer, Satoru Tawada. Little does he know that he will later meet the man who will become his owner/partner. Although Quill is a little slower than the other dogs at the school, he seems to have an unusual 'empathy' and remarkable patience with his trainers.
Tawade decides that Quill would be the ideal guide dog for Mitsuru Watanabe, but the lonely and ill-tempered middle-aged man isn't as enthusiastic; he "would rather sleep than be dragged around by a dog." Then an incident occurs that causes the seemingly completely incompatible man and dog to come to rely on each other. From here, the story is narrated by Watanabe's daughter, Mitsuko, and slowly, Watanabe is rehabilitated, venturing into the outside world, and learning, not only to trust other humans, but the animal at his side who guides him.
About the Story
Five Labrador Retrievers are born at a house in Tokyo. One of the puppies is easily identifiable from the rest at first sight. He has a curious pattern on his side that resembles a bird spreading its wings. The owner names him "Jonathan" and wants to make the puppies into seeing-eye dogs like their father. It is normally difficult for a dog to become a seeing-eye dog unless both parents had experience as "seeing-eye," but as she continuously bugs the dog trainer Satoshi Tawada (Kippei Shiina), he reluctantly agrees to take only one of them. He chooses the easygoing Jonathan, as fast-reacting, emotionally expressive dogs are not fit to work as seeing-eye dogs.
Jonathan barks in protest when he must leave his mother and his brothers. Tawada takes Jonathan to a new home of volunteer "puppy-walkers" Isamu Nii (Teruyuki Kagawa) and his wife Mitsuko (Shinobu Terajima), to raise the puppy. Tawada leaves them with instructions not to scold the dog under any circumstance. Jonathan receives the new name of "Quill" for the "bird wings" mark on his side.
The mischievous Quill loves to throw Mitsuko's sandals around and rip window screens, but his favorite plaything is a toy bear that squeaks when bitten. Later, Quill goes out on his first walk and soon becomes a town celebrity. Mitsuko explains to Quill everything he encounters, from cherry trees to birds and snakes. These days of merriment pass by in the blink of an eye. Before we know it Quill has reached his first birthday, the last day he is in the puppy-walkers' care. On this day, during a long walk, Quill sees Mitsuko crying on a park bench and opens his mouth, which seems like an attempt to smile at her.
Quill is put on the rear deck of Tawada's car and fades into the distance as it rolls away from the Nii home. As the couple vanishes into the distance, all Quill can do is whimper helplessly.
Life at the seeing-eye dog-training center begins. Quill exhibits his naivete and his way of doing things at his own pace. As the other dogs steadily advance, learning how to negotiate steps and avoid obstacles, Quill alone is left behind. Could it be that seeing-eye work isn't in his blood? Just as Tawada, trainer of many outstanding seeing-eye dogs, is about to give up, he discovers a unique talent in Quill. When told to wait, Quill will stay calmly in the same spot for hours without moving.
Finally, Quill's partner is decided. Mitsuru Watanabe (Kaoru Kobayashi) had always adamantly refused to have a seeing-eye dog, saying he would rather stay in bed than be pulled around by a dog. However, thanks to Tawada's somewhat insistent recommendation and a trial walk with Quill, Watanabe himself requests the dog. Joint training commences at a camp for the vision-impaired and their seeing-eye dogs. The man and the dog have trouble communicating. Watanabe and Quill are not in step and the man even starts using his white walking stick. Then, little by little, Quill starts showing his kindness to Watanabe. One evening during voluntary training, a trivial incident causes Watanabe to open up his heart, and for the first time he starts to walk aided by Quill alone. The dog senses the man's rhythm. Their shadows on the street gradually draw closer. The bond between Quill and his partner grows deeper with each passing day...until one day, they face a sudden and sorrowful parting...
Trailer
