Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog

Quill could be billed as a quasi-documentary about how golden lab guide dogs for the blind are trained in Japan. It is all quite informative, but not very dramatically interesting. For the most part, it is child suitable. There is sadness as the dog Quill is taken from his puppy home to be trained, then taken from there to serve, then taken from there when the owner dies. Quill himself eventually dies of old age in an overblown sequence that goes on and on and on like some sadistic Disney flick determined to make every child cry. I was saying out loud, "for pity sake, tell the vet to put him down". The pathos dissipated for me when one character gave instructions to Quill on what to do when he got to heaven. That was just too silly.

I sat down in 2021 to watch the 2004 Japanese movie "Quill". Turns out that this was actually my second time to get to watch this, though I can't remember when I watched it the first time, but it was shortly after it was initially released.

Turns out that "Quill" is a very enjoyable movie. It is a movie that is as much heartfelt and lovable as it is entertaining and enjoying. And it should also be said that it is a very emotional story.

The story in "Quill" follows the dog named Quill from being a puppy, up through its training to become a guide dog for the visually impaired, and up to Quills final moments on this Earth.

Writers Shoichi Maruyama and Yoshihiro Nakamura did a great job in bringing the work of novelists Ryohei Akimoto and Kengo Ishiguro to a movie script. And director Yôichi Sai brought the story to life in a very enjoyable manner on the screen.

"Quill" is very nicely acted by the actors and actresses on the cast list, and you just can't help but fall in love with the adorable dog, Quill, itself.

Now, if you are the emotional type, then you might want to have a tissue or two at hand for this movie.

I can warmly recommend that you find the time to sit down and watch this 2004 timeless movie if you get the chance to do so. This is without a doubt a very beautiful and heartwarming movies. My rating of "Quill" lands on a well-deserved nine out of ten stars.

Quill, is a story about a dog's life who seems to born to be a guide dog.

The movie shows the process of being a guide dog from a puppy to an adult dog, it has lots of touching moments thats connects with the characters of the story.

I had read the book before watching this film, the story really touched me and the movie was a well adapted from the book itself, i cried a lot while i was watching it.

The trustworthy bonding between human and dogs are very presented in this film.

Overall, it's a very worth watching film whether you read the book or not, but of cause, if you are a dogs lover, i'll say go for it then.. ;)

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hunter Willow Jones (age 11) reviews the film below:

Video review here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhaV-vEmSdk I LOVE this movie! It is heartwarming and the dogs are so adorable. I was not actually looking forward to watching Quill; I mean the title didn't seem very interesting. Also, it is a Japanese film with English subtitles, which didn't excite me. But as the movie progressed I like it more and more. Quill is the story of one special guide dog; a yellow Labrador named Quill because of a unique brown spot on his side. Shown as a docudrama, Quill goes from a small puppy with its mother being picked to be a guide dog because of his calm nature and sent to live with a foster family that loves and cares for him until he is a year old and then he is off to school where he learns to be the eyes for a blind person. Though Quill does not seem to learn as quickly as the other dogs, Satoru Tawada (KippeiShiina), Quill's trainer, is patient and sees the potential in him. Quill is teamed up with Mr. Watanabe (Kaoru Kobayashi), who is not a dog lover and does not like being blind. Though the pair has a rocky start, Mr. Watanabe grows to trust and respect Quill. The ending is inspiring despite it being sad. Technically, Quill was average with good sound and cinematography. The dogs in Quill are simply amazing. They are so well trained. I thought they were the best actors in the film. The subtitles were a little distracting, I didn't like that I couldn't understand what was being said and had to read it, but as I got into the movie that became easier. I liked seeing what life was like in Japan and that there are differences from my town like the way the houses look, but there are more things that are same like how we love our pets. When my parents and I were done watching Quill we talked a lot about the movie from what it is like to be blind to how dogs are trained to be guide dogs to the story and characters. Quill made us smile, laugh and cry, but it also made us think. Quill was released in Japan in 2004, but has just been released in American in May 2012. Quill is a wonderful movie for any age, but it is better for kids who know how to read. Kids and adults both will enjoy it. I give Quill five stars!

One of the most beautiful and sweet movies about a puppy/grown-up dog. Very touching ending. I like the overall style in which it was filmed and the absence of sensationalism, which is so common and prevalent in today's films. Great family movie. Recommend. 10/10