Be with You (2004)

Why so much hype?

Crappy film

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

First time i watched on TV and i don't know what it's all about. As the film goes on i realised this film from Japan truly special and very moving me with the story. Amazing. I cried and happy at the same time when the ending arrived. The scifi element never ruins the film yet increase how we adore this film. How the two main character brought us to the memory of them got falling in love just sweet and honest. Thank God i watch it in my life. 9 out of 10.

I will not lie. If you watch a lot of Japanese movies in the jun'ai genre (jun'ai = pure love, such as Heavenly Forest, Say hello for me, Nada sou sou, etc.) you will see that Be with you is the best of them all. However, I strongly disagree with some of the reviews that said "if you have a pulse, you will enjoy this movie", or something along that line, just because everyone has their own cup of tea. This was one of the first Japanese movies that I watched, and though I did enjoy the beautiful, almost magical, scenes done by the director, I think the unreal aspect of it turned out to be the factor that ruined it for me. Beautiful scenery does not equal beautiful filming; in fact, this movie (and Heavenly forest, as well as Say hello for me, for that matter) seemed like a tale in heaven or in some lands where there are angels and fairies and not necessarily people. The love story here is indeed touching; I do like the family scenes a lot, but the structure of the movie is just too confusing, and the plot seems like it was written solely to "move" people. When I feel like my feelings are manipulated through each situation in the movie, particular the ending, I usually am not moved by that particular incident.So bottom line: very good acting, beautiful filming, but unrealistic love story (I know it's not meant to be realistic, but come on, the setting was real life and not a "Once upon a time" sort of setting). Convincing for its genre, but to say it's "the best Japanese movie", or that it had a significant impact on Japanese movies as a whole, is probably misleading. If you want a movie that most likely will make you cry, you can try this movie. However, it didn't work for me. If you want more realistic love stories that are touching, but on the more subtle side, both cinematically and plot-wise, try "Rainbow Song" (Niji no megami) or "Love Letter" (by Iwai Shunji). If you just want a good (but realistic!) love story that can happen just about anywhere, try Oto-na-ri (done by the same director as "Rainbow Song").

Well,i'm having insomnia now,thanks to the movie! I'm terribly obsessed! My head and heart keep on saying "Rain! Rain! Rain! Don't stop!!! Not now!!! Please..." How i wish the rainy season would never end...Initially, i really thought that it was yet another typical so-called Japanese romance plot. Guess what? I was wrong! When Mio comes back to life, i was full of questions, "is she an alien? a spirit? a ghost? a robot? an angel? or a fairy?" (but definitely not a devil! cause she is too beautiful and innocent for that! well, my personal opinion)When it comes to the end, speechlessly touching... A beautifully crafted sci-fi (i guess?)... Could you imagine a guy sobbing while eating instant noddle in front of a monitor screen? WARNING! Don't take this movie as ordinary romance, it's more about courage and destiny. Are you still willing to love, even if it will cost your life? After all, LOVE would be the magical answer to that.This is no doubt a MASTERPIECE! Strongly recommend, this movie is a MUST WATCH!!! 10/10 stars

Reading the summaries and reviews of the film, I had several expectations of what would happen. The grieving husband and son of a woman who died at a young age struggle with her loss. Miraculously, she comes back to life ( returning from heaven or some other place) for 6 weeks, one year after her death, during the rainy season, only to leave again after the season is over.Considering the "coming back to life" plot device isn't without precedent, the American film "Ghost" (with Demi Moore) is but one example, I expected the characters to display the usual gamut of emotions - initial shock that the person has come back, joy that they get to relive their moments together, and ultimately grief that he/she must depart again. This film was not without those moments, but the quality of the acting and the beautiful scenery and photography put it a cut above the rest. However, what puts this film into "classic" status is the ingenious weaving of past, present, and future to deliver a stunning finale that will put every missing piece of the puzzle into place while leaving the audience simply awestruck with emotion. There are few films which I would tell a friend or associate that they "must see this now." This is one of them. Just see it and be amazed.