Film Background"Last Quarter", likewise known as "Kagen no Tsuki", is a Japanese movie directed by Ken Nikai and released in 2004. The film is based upon the manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa. The movie stars Chiaki Kuriyama, Hyde, and Tomoka Kurokawa in the primary functions. The story is a poignant expedition of love, spirituality, and the intricacies of relationships throughout time and space.
Plot SummaryThe plot centers around a high school trainee named Mizuki Mochizuki (Tomoka Kurokawa), who, after being heartbroken by her boyfriend's adultery, falls into anxiety. The story takes a weird turn when Mizuki sees a ghostly figure, Hotaru (Chiaki Kuriyama), in an old western-style mansion. The phantom seemingly beckons to her from an upstairs window. Captivated and feeling an unusual pull, Mizuki chooses to check out the house.
Inside, she satisfies Hotaru's spirit and Adam Lang (Hyde), a British rock artist who was Hotaru's lover in the past. Hotaru is waiting for Adam on the night of the last quarter - a phase of the lunar cycle called Kagen no Tsuki - as she blindly thinks that Adam will return for her. Mizuki, amazed and caught in this spectral romance, decides to assist the ghostly figure.
The Past and Present IntersectionFurther on, the film looks into Hotaru's past, revealing an awful love story that she showed Adam Lang. It depicts how Adam died in a cars and truck accident soon after he and Hotaru had a battle. With no recollection of her past, Hotaru is stuck as a spirit in the mortal world, patiently waiting on Adam's return. Mizuki unravels their shared past by reading Hotaru's diary and makes every effort to make the spirit understand that Adam is dead so she could lastly carry on to the afterlife.
Conclusion and ImpactDespite a rather dismal property, the movie is a gorgeous mix of mankind and spirituality. The narrative offers an unique perspective towards death, love, and yearning. By diving deep into reclaiming lost love, it demonstrates how love has the power to link measurements and times, producing a touching depiction of one-sided love.
"Last Quarter" uses a melancholic but strikingly represented story set against the backdrop of intersecting timelines. With the peculiar facility of a living human assisting a ghost move on from their fan's shared history, the film handles to develop suspense while preserving an emotional depth that stays with audiences.
Critical ReceptionThe film received favorable actions for its premium performing, direction, and soul-stirring music by Hyde. It stands apart with its supernatural aspect seamlessly woven into a mentally charged romance - making "Last Quarter" a remarkable film in the world of Japanese cinema. Especially, Chiaki Kuriyama's representation of Hotaru was admired for her emotional depth and capability to make a supernatural character relatable to viewers.
In general, "Last Quarter" is a heartrending story about love's transcendence and the hope that it can bring, even in the most painful circumstances. It's a movie that effectively blends realism with supernatural elements, resulting in a bittersweet, yet exceptionally stirring story.
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