Shining Boy and Little Randy (Hoshi ni natta shonen/ 星になった少年 -2005)

Starring:
Yuya Yagira ... Tetsumu Ogawa
Takako Tokiwa ... Sario Ogawa
Katsumi Takahashi ... Kosuke Ogawa
Yu Aoi ... Emi Murakami
Mitsuko Baisho ... Asako Fujisawa
Sayoko Oho
Kazuyuki Aijima
Tetsuya Takeda
Brother Tom
Takehiko Ono

Tetsumu, an introverted youth, realizes he has a natural ability of communicating with elephants. This prompts him to leave for Chiang Mai in Thailand to become Japan¡¯s first elephant trainer. Having found his place in the world, Tetsumu develops into a strong, confident young man. He returns to Japan with the dream of building a green ¡°paradise¡± for his ivory-tusked friends. Meanwhile, he starts a career as an elephant trainer for touring shows. He meets Emi, a woman seven years his senior and falls in love.

I write this with tear stains on my face. This movie is so touching. The love of animals and family and the role they play together.....this is that movie. Yagira Yuya, again, has picked a beautiful masterpiece that totally takes the heart and turns it inside out and outside in, in one motion.

You don't have to love elephants or animals in general to understand the mentality of youth growing up. The separation of child with its mother. The bullying and what gains and losses it brings.

Take everything.....the good and the bad of growing up.....

This will bring you heartaches and smiles....not at once....

Be prepared for the onslaught of mixed emotions at the end......bring the Kleenex.

Yagira Yuya