"Even the vivid emotions he had once cherished fell back, as if retreating from the province of his mind. Like a mist in the breeze, his memories changed shape, and with each change they grew fainter. Each memory was now the shadow of a shadow of a shadow. The only thing that remained tangible to him was the sense of absence." - Haruki Murakami, Tony Takitani

Great story with a beautiful design. Lovely independent film from Japan.

Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami. Dull.

The ideal way to adapt a Murakami story. The score by Ryuichi Sakamoto is one of my favorite scores

The best adaptation of Murakami's work so far though there aren't many either.

not sure if I enjoyed it but it was very Moody and emotional it made me think about me and my life.

Murakami's study of desperate loneliness put onto celluloid in the most masterful way. Must-see.

One of those few instances where I would argue that the movie was better than the book, Ichikawa's Tony Takitani breathes a whole new life into Murakami's own. The editing of this movie is flawless; the monotonous movement of the film is broken only by key scenes and/or characters, while the overlaps in script between the narrator and the characters in the movie is a pleasant way to break the monotony in dialogue. Apart from its amazing technical sensibility, the film also effectively communicates feeling -- a feat given its minimalism. There is hardly anything I could say that could make you feel the wonder that is Tony Takitani. I suggest that you go see it yourself. I tell you, you will not regret it.

Short, but beautiful movie.

A very lyrical, meditative type movie for a mature audience.I found it to be beautifully sad! P.S. Loved the piano!

Oddly like having someone read you a short story while pleasant music plays and images flash by in the background, but actually a very interesting experience, beautifully shot & sound-edited, and definitely worth seeing.

A solid short Japanese movie, based on a solid Japanese short story. . If you have seen other Japanese drama movies, it's nothing too special, but that doesn't subtract from the fact that it is really well made and with a GREAT soundtrack, which really helps lift it off.

A deeply sad and slightly depressing interpretation of a short story by Haruki Murakami. As a self-proclaimed fanatic of Murakami's writings, I just can't for the life of me imagine a right way in which one 'should' portray his surreal and metaphysical notions of life, love and just about everything else on screen. Maybe Jun Ichikawa shouldn't of, but then again he did try. And although it's not the worst adaptation of all time, it still snags on some precocious elements that are possibly better left to the narrator of the story to explain, rather than a couple of vacant actors to embody. I'm assuming I would feel the same way about Norwegian Wood (released last week) and that was a full novel!!

slow, but effective portrayal of isolation

Very soothing. I often play this movie in the background when I fold laundry.

Told almost entirely through a voice over, this is possibly one of the softest and gentlest films I've ever watched. It was like being sung a lullaby. Absolutely beautiful. Can't recommend it enough.

absolutely beautiful and absolutely engaging. A very good attempt to portrait the essence of the book and cross platform

A perfectly controlled minimalist film masterpiece. Great job by Jun Ichikawa and great music by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Somehow reminds me of the 'Forever Alone' meme, this quiet Japanese film is about the tragic consequences of retail therapy.

< Tony Takitani > is said to be the best one from numerous Haruki Murakami's novel-to-movie adaptations by far. So it said. But Jun Ichikawa did successfully deliver the story of Tony Takitani's lonely & boring life by a very boring narrative.