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Hiding from an unknown past, suicidal Japanese loner Kenji (Tadanobu Asano) seems destined for a premature rendezvous with oblivion when he meets Noi, a beautiful Thai party girl. Despite speaking different languages and barely able to communicate, Noi begins to seduce Kenji back into the chaos of life. Director Pen-ek Ratanaruangskilfully fuses a variety of genres to create a unique, dreamily stylish drama. Magnificently shot by acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In The Mood For Love), the film also features a superb performance from Zatoichi star Asano as Kenji and a memorable cameo by cult director Takashi Miike as a deranged yakuza boss.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Set in Thailand, the plot of 'Last Life In The Universe' revolves around the relationship between two diverse people. Kenji is an obsessive compulsive suicidal Japanese librarian, who through a tragic event meets Noi, a extrovert drug taking Thai slacker.
In reality 'Last Life In The Universe' is a film with very little in terms of a plot line, and instead relies on a series of events and the strength of the films main characters. Overall the film is a bit like an Asian 'Lost In Translation', it's beautifully directed, acted, and thoroughly memorable, and although this is a Thai film the dialogue is mostly in English.
If you enjoy independent cinema then this is a must see film.
In reality 'Last Life In The Universe' is a film with very little in terms of a plot line, and instead relies on a series of events and the strength of the films main characters. Overall the film is a bit like an Asian 'Lost In Translation', it's beautifully directed, acted, and thoroughly memorable, and although this is a Thai film the dialogue is mostly in English.
If you enjoy independent cinema then this is a must see film.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is so lovely. It is about two people who quietly fancy one another. They are characteristically different; one is such a neat and tidy person, the other is strangely easy-going with everything.
Last life in the universe was directed by Pen-ek Ratanaruang, who has now been deemed one of the most talented Thai directors. The cinematography was craftily shot by Christopher Doyle who is my favourite cinematographer ever.
The two protagonists: Kenji played by Asano Tadanobu and Sinitta Boomyasak as Noi. Kenji is a librarian, who works in the Japanese foundation in Thailand, who is obsessed with killing himself. Ironically, he managed to kill some thug instead. He came across Noi, a young pretty Thai bar girl, who had just lost her younger sister in an accident. Not willing to return to his apartment, he asked Noi whether he could stay with her for a while. Funnily enough, she agreed to take him back to her place.
The relationship began to develop during their stay together in her house. It was oddly sweet to see these two trying to converse with each other in broken English. Yet they interacted with one another in a vividly real way.
The other thing I like about the movie is the house. It is so isolated. It seems to represent the tiny and disorganised world of Noi, but is also very peaceful to dwell in.
Last life in the universe is a charming film. It is a bit dreamy as well. You could fall asleep if you do not like a slow and low-key plot. Though, I guarantee that the movie will put a smile on your face.
Last life in the universe was directed by Pen-ek Ratanaruang, who has now been deemed one of the most talented Thai directors. The cinematography was craftily shot by Christopher Doyle who is my favourite cinematographer ever.
The two protagonists: Kenji played by Asano Tadanobu and Sinitta Boomyasak as Noi. Kenji is a librarian, who works in the Japanese foundation in Thailand, who is obsessed with killing himself. Ironically, he managed to kill some thug instead. He came across Noi, a young pretty Thai bar girl, who had just lost her younger sister in an accident. Not willing to return to his apartment, he asked Noi whether he could stay with her for a while. Funnily enough, she agreed to take him back to her place.
The relationship began to develop during their stay together in her house. It was oddly sweet to see these two trying to converse with each other in broken English. Yet they interacted with one another in a vividly real way.
The other thing I like about the movie is the house. It is so isolated. It seems to represent the tiny and disorganised world of Noi, but is also very peaceful to dwell in.
Last life in the universe is a charming film. It is a bit dreamy as well. You could fall asleep if you do not like a slow and low-key plot. Though, I guarantee that the movie will put a smile on your face.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This was the first film I saw by Thai film director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, and without a doubt one of the most accomplished and satisfying I've seen in years.
The story revolves around two polar opposite characters - Kenji: A quiet and meticulous Japanese librarian with a hidden past, played by Japanese star Asano Tadanobu, and Noi: A street-wise, straight-talking Thai female, played by new comer Sinitta Boonyasak. Both characters seemingly only have one thing in common, and that is that they are both utterly lonely, albeit for different reasons - she is recently bereaved of her sister, he for a reason never fully disclosed is distanced from the world, an introverted outsider with no good reason to go on. Thrown together by a sequence of events they take solace from each others presence. From this begins an enchanting, touching and idiosyncratic movie. One that's not concerned with characterisation, an intricate plot or histrionics, but with how two troubled, contradictory beings grow closer and in the process rediscover a reason for being, and going on in the universe. Due to the language barrier (they flit from talking Thai, Japanese and English to understand one another) they may not have meaningful discourse, but here the meaning is hidden behind the formalities, the pedestrian, the everyday.
I'm not going to launch into an extended essay or spew too many superlatives, but believe me when I say this is required viewing. Assured, amusing and touching, this trilingual film is replete with a dry wit, a surreal element that leaves a lot open to interpretation, and a deft ability to evoke emotion. There are laudable performances from the two central characters, and a third from Christopher Doyle's shifting oblique camera-work and composition. And despite its clear East Asian cinematic influences (in tone it reminds me of Takeshi Kitano's 'Dolls') 'Last Life In The Universe' evokes modern day Thailand in all its chaotic ramshackle splendour brilliantly. Definitely a film to indulge in whilst alone...
The story revolves around two polar opposite characters - Kenji: A quiet and meticulous Japanese librarian with a hidden past, played by Japanese star Asano Tadanobu, and Noi: A street-wise, straight-talking Thai female, played by new comer Sinitta Boonyasak. Both characters seemingly only have one thing in common, and that is that they are both utterly lonely, albeit for different reasons - she is recently bereaved of her sister, he for a reason never fully disclosed is distanced from the world, an introverted outsider with no good reason to go on. Thrown together by a sequence of events they take solace from each others presence. From this begins an enchanting, touching and idiosyncratic movie. One that's not concerned with characterisation, an intricate plot or histrionics, but with how two troubled, contradictory beings grow closer and in the process rediscover a reason for being, and going on in the universe. Due to the language barrier (they flit from talking Thai, Japanese and English to understand one another) they may not have meaningful discourse, but here the meaning is hidden behind the formalities, the pedestrian, the everyday.
I'm not going to launch into an extended essay or spew too many superlatives, but believe me when I say this is required viewing. Assured, amusing and touching, this trilingual film is replete with a dry wit, a surreal element that leaves a lot open to interpretation, and a deft ability to evoke emotion. There are laudable performances from the two central characters, and a third from Christopher Doyle's shifting oblique camera-work and composition. And despite its clear East Asian cinematic influences (in tone it reminds me of Takeshi Kitano's 'Dolls') 'Last Life In The Universe' evokes modern day Thailand in all its chaotic ramshackle splendour brilliantly. Definitely a film to indulge in whilst alone...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
lost in confusion
I really dislike misleading ads. I know that film critics moonlighting for studios will always exaggerate their impressions about a film
and their words will make it to... Read more
and their words will make it to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by lucas
Slow and enigmatic ...
The best word to describe this movie is enigmatic. A slow 'love story' between a Japanese obsessive compulsive male loner with suicide on the mind and a Thai girl who is the... Read more
Published 19 months ago by P. Millar
Bored out of my head
very very slow, didn't fully understand the end. torture, i just wanted it to end ASAP.
Published on 18 May 2008 by Mr. R. Dunn
Totally sublime
Hang out the,'do not disturb' sign for this one. Don't bother trying t explain it to others. It's one of those you will covet. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2006 by Mr Sonam Batra
Loved it!
I love the contrast between the two main character's personalities. Although the dialogue is a mixture of both broken thai and english, the flow of the movie keeps us going along... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2005
A quiet little gem.
The one thing I can say about this film is that it had a certain charm. The films focuses on the two very opposite protagonists although there are other again differing sub-plots... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2005 by "jenns_store"
A quiet little gem.
The one thing I can say about this film is that it had a certain charm. The films focuses on the two very opposite protagonists although there are other again differing sub-plots... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2005 by "jenns_store"
Beautiful film
What a surprise!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Some wonderful music, acting and story in this Thai film. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2005
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