Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Sanou_san I never thought this film would pull me through! But I got to develop the faith right from the beginning for this film. From the start I never get that instantly pulled. I thought of the preliminary portions to be weak, dense and unconvincing. Surprisingly, while the film progresses it gave me a pinch to watch it more thoroughly. I saw Takumi's (Nakamura Shidou) character unfold. He was weak, careless and looks dumb-witted, but his love for his only child and wife is unquestionable. I saw his son Yuji, whom I thought in the beginning, was a different person (considering he's already 18 during that time—I got temporarily confused). He was an innocently, kind-hearted child who loves his father very much and yearns for his mother's care. Mio (Yuko Takeuchi) was the wife of Takumi, whose character seems complicatedly mixed in the life of the father and son. I found the story really interesting. I never imagined there are lots of stories in Japan as beautiful as this. I love the simplicity and uniqueness of the story. How it begin, how it progressed, how it elevated and unraveled all the lingering questions about the characters and the situation. I love the characters, the life they've created. I also didn't expect Nakamura Shidou to play the part. He was for me a stiff character, playing the roles of serious man, but this changed my viewpoint to him as a potential actor capable of playing well any role given to him. This is the first time I saw Yuko Takeuchi. I wouldn't really consider her acting here superb, but nevertheless she played her part very well. I can see well how she acted the mother she would be for Yuji. Overall the film is indeed very good. I have to admit it touched me deeply. I didn't even expect I have all those tears rolling in my face when Mio said her goodbyes to Takumi in the near end! Gosh since "The Notebook" and "A Walk To Remember" this story made my heart jerk and let my eyes cry till it subsided. I recommend this to anyone who loves unique, though not that very captivating, simple but beautiful story to watch and seat how the story unfolds. One may not like the characters as how they played their part, but the story is worthy enough and may change your mind about the characters.

gorgonite I sought out this film on the strength of the reviews on IMDb and regard it as a gentle, enjoyable romantic drama. The performance of the 3 main actors in the family are lifelike and believable. Also the story is one which requires a second viewing. Definitely one film to save for a rainy day!The film is set in a small town and the plot involves a husband and son coping in life without the wife/mother who has died. Whilst walking one day the 2 remaining family members find a woman who looks exactly like the wife/mother but is behaving rather strangely. Is she who they think she is or is she someone else? Pros - Brilliant performances, cinematography and direction Cons - Apart from a minor flaw/feature in the plot, very believableOverall - Excellent romantic drama

Dalazen_Junior Let me say right from the start - this may be the BEST motion picture I've ever seen in my life. It's a shame Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu wasn't recognized by the Academy in 2005, this should have been the front runner for Best Foreign Picture of that year, and it should have won the Oscar. A beautifully well crafted love story, this is the typical case of a film that has all the elements working for it, wonderful cast (the actor who played Taku, the widower, gives an outstanding performance. Along with Paddy Considine, an actor that took my heart away in Jim Sheridan's In America, the actor who portrays Taku is also a revelation in a breakthrough performance; also my respects for the child actor who plays the kid and the actress who plays the deceased mother who comes back in raining season), great story, sad and touching moments that will make you cry like a baby and one hell of a soundtrack.

cyberpogo I do not consider myself to be in the target market for this kind of movie (male, late 20's). However, I bought this movie off an online site due to some reader recommendations. After finishing the movie, I was obsessed!!! I couldn't stop thinking about it and couldn't stop raving about it. The acting and the direction is great, although a bit cheesy at times, but it works well. Yuko Takeuchi is such a beautiful actress. What I mean by beautiful is not her physical appearance (although she is pretty), but by the way she conveys her emotions and makes the viewer believe that she really is Mio. Everyone else does their role perfectly too, and the soundtrack really does a great job, especially the overture towards the end of the movie.Overall, anyone who has a pulse will enjoy this movie. Personally it affected me a lot and it has turned me into a Japanese movie fan. You will struggle to find a negative review about this movie anywhere, and I really encourage all the males to watch it especially so they can get in touch with their emotional side (haha...). I've seen it seven times within two months and it still affects me each time I watch it. Some of my friends thinks I'm crazy but they don't understand the relationship I have with these characters (hahaha...I can't believe I'm typing this..my friends will laugh at me). Undoubtedly in my books, the best movie ever, and a moment to cherish with loved ones, or even by yourself (so the guys can cry and not feel embarrassed that anyone is looking at them).