I have two reasons to hate/dislike this film:
a.) remake of japanese film
b.) gere

Hmm... why am I reminded of 'Greyfriars Bobby?'

Save your money and buy the 1987 Japanese film. I've never seen an ENTIRE theater cry before I attended the screening for Hachiko.

I am not sure if "a little gem of a film" is what I would call this film. It brought me some moments of enjoyment, but calling it a little gem to me is too much.

For me there were two reasons for having seen this Hachi adaptation by Hallström, director of films like "My Life as a Dog", "The Cider House Rules" and "Chocolat". The first reason is a personal one; after a six months of waiting I am going to be a proud owner of an Akita inu in a couple of months and I was just curious to warm things up (yes, if you want a pup of a vice-world champion Akita like me, then you have to be patient and wait). Reason two is that having seen the Japanese original from 1987, I wondered how they would compare and how a story, that is known all over Japan, would be transferred to an American setting.

Coming back at reason one, wouldn't that mean I'd love this film? Of course seeing it was a great warm-up for my puppy to come. Logically it made me look forward to finally having that little buddy in my house even more. However, to me it wasn't much more than that. The film's IMDB rating (8.1) makes me wonder if I missed something? Is a large part of the audience / voters perhaps a dog owner? Apart from the dow owning audience, I can't imagine that film lovers will be "8.1 pleased" after seeing this film. "Hachi" just left me too much with a feeling of "that was a rather simple film".

So what did go right? To me there are some things to mention. The story itself is sad, extremely moving and shows the special connection between man and dog from BOTH sides very well. Hallström managed to bring all of that onto the screen rather well. And that real life factor, the Hachi story actually happened about 80 years ago, that's also something that gives the film a special touch. Furthermore, I thank Hallström for not having it made it melodramatic as the film could easily have been. And yes, the film luckily did not end up in something over American even though of course it does take place there. But that feeling of "that was a rather simple film", I simply can't get rid off it.

About reason two, how did it compare to the Japanese version? Story wise it was truthful and similar to the 1987 original and, dosed in the right quantity, some shots where obviously inspired by it. Luckily, new twists, like the good idea of showing the dog's vision in black in white, were added as well, but as it often works with remakes, the original "Hachiko Monogatari" has my preference.

One more thing. Call it negligible, but why in god's name did Hallström decide to use a Shiba inu as the young Hachiko instead of a young Akita pup during the first part of the film? Because they're easier to handle? Or perhaps because an young Akita pup doesn't look cute and/or dog enough for the American audience and assume they're too "stupid" to see the difference? One can only guess, though it remains silly as Hachi was an Akita and not a Shiba.

I just got done watching this and I'd have to say I hated it.
First I admit I have a bias. I am a big fan of the Japanese version and am an owner of several Japanese Akitas.

First mistake was the shiba puppy. The main character is a dog. An akita, not a shiba. Like the casting of memoirs of a geisha, it seems irresponsible.

Next I felt no emotional bond whatsoever. The Japanese version worked so well in that the man, not wanting the dog, eventually begins to even neglect his family. His wife even feels resentment towards the dog but then grows to admire the love that Hachi has for her husband.
This version hints at many of those things but doesn't pull it off.

What I did like about the film, the point of view from the dog's perspective, should have been used more, perhaps the funeral scene?
The dog's reluctance to play fetch. My dog will fetch 3-4 times max before he decides this is a stupid game. And finally when Richard Gere died. It was so horribly acted that I LOL'ed

What should have been added... Like 101 dalmatians, people will rush out and purchase akitas. This breed requires a lot of special attention that many owners are not willing to give. For one I would never have my dog running around without a leash. One glimpse of another dog and he'd be fighting for dominance. Another thing is strangers, they don't like other people much unless they have been accustomed to them. I'd like them to show that they aren't just some cudly bears, they can be aggressive too.

my suggestion, seek the Japanese version out instead.