Last Life in the Universe

Last Life In The Universe marks the emergence of Pen-ek Ratanaruang as a world class filmmaker and brings him together with Japanese superstar Asano Tadanobu (Zatoichi, Bright Future) and legendary cinematographer Christopher Doyle (2046, In The Mood For Love, Rabbit Proof Fence). Together they spin the tale of Kenji, a mysterious librarian who has hidden himself away from society and seems bent on suicide. That is, until he meets Noi, a beautiful young woman who begins to seduce him back to life. If only she wasn't leaving Thailand for Osaka at the end of the weekend. Last Life In The Universe is a poetic tale about the strange way fate has of bringing people together just as their worlds seem on the verge of falling apart.

A story of two very different people coming together in the wake of personal tragedies, Last Life in the Universe stars Tadanobu Asano as Kenji, a quiet, bespectacled Japanese librarian living in Bangkok. Obsessed with suicide, he meticulously stages ways to kill himself, only to be interrupted every time. One night, his more raucous brother shows up for an unexpected visit, accompanied by a yakuza gangster. A gunfight breaks out, leaving both visitors dead. Kenji ventures out into the night and happens upon Noi (Sinitta Boonyasak), a feisty bargirl whose sister has just died in an accident following a fight over their shared boyfriend. Kenji accompanies Noi to her sprawling, dilapidated house in the country, where a relationship develops despite their language barrier and clashing personalities, until another twist of fate threatens to tear them apart. ~ Tom Vick, All Movie Guide