In the Bangkok library, where silence reigns, Kenji’s character played by Tadanobu Asano, lives a loner’s life while grappling with severe suicidal thoughts. On the verge of surrendering to his self-destructive tendencies, he encounters a resolute Thai female named Noi, portrayed by Sinitta Boonyasak. After this meeting, Kenji’s and Noi’s lives drastically change after a certain tragic event culminates of them losing their loved ones, which results in them finding comfort in each other.
As we accompany the two main characters in their path to overcoming their individual traumas, we start witnessing moments filled with tenderness, warmth, surreal humor, and so much more, all the while nourishing the bond that enables Kenji and Noi to surpass the barriers of culture and language. Both Kenji’s and Noi’s lives are interwoven with dreams, but they also constantly teeter on the edge of reality where the menacing danger stems from the Yakuza connections that Kenji and his family have.
Cast and Crew:
Sinitta Boonyasak in the role of Noi
Tadanobu Asano in the role of Kei
Laila Boonyasak in the role of Nid
Yutaka Matsushige in the role of Yukio
The stunning metaphysical visuals and horizons of this film are closely guarded by Christopher Doyle through his meditative visuals. This and the heartwarming yet chilling scores provided by Hualampong Riddim are perfect for depicting this films worlds dichotomy. All these elements are further enhanced by the great direction of Ratanaruang Pen-Ek and his co writer Prabda Yoon, who make this film an unmissable experience.
Analysing the google reviews of Last Life in the Universe, it gives a rather mixed impression, but as presumable it is excellent in combining varying aspects of the storyline and different genres. The way the film tackles themes such as solitude, relationships, and at it’s very core existential dread is extremely profound according to some critics. Tadanobu Asano is considered one of the worlds truly great actors primarily because the incredible praise he earned from theater for his nuance combined with powerful performance.
The film artfully captures in engaging motion the first screening at the Venice International in 2003 where it created quite a sensation. Asano, in fact, won the Upstream Prize for Best Actor. It also happens to be Japan’s entry for the 76th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, but unfortunately it did not win any nomination.
The first group of people who watched the film appreciated its minimalistic nature and the juxtaposition of Kenji’s disciplined life against Noi’s freedom. A portion of the audience did not particularly enjoy the pacing of the film, while others considered it a fusion of Eastern and Western styles of cinema.
Accolades:
Best Actor Award, Venice’s Film Festival (Tadanobu Asano)
Best Director and Best Cinematography prizes, Thailand National Film Association Awards
Rotterdam Film Festival, and several other festivals, screened the films for their remarkable innovation in narration.
Impact on Thai cinema:
Besides the last life in the universe, no other film was documented as having opened new doors in Thai cinema and brought global recognition to Pen-Ek Ratanaruang. His efforts helped boost the international prominence of Tadanobu Asano and proved that brilliant complex and intricate stories could be told by Asian talents.
Final Overview:
Like all works made by a true cinematic auteur, “Last Life in the Universe” will always embody the concept of love, loss and redemption at its core; everything is expressed magisterially in this film. When the narrative is sublime, as it is in this case, one gets immersed and captivated by the film’s slow pacing and usage of visual metaphors. The film’s true strength derives from its understanding of human relations, and for that reason it will be a source of inspiration to filmmakers and audiences alike, forever.
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