Watch Namiya

Namiya is a captivating Chinese film released in 2017, directed by Han Jie and starring Jackie Chan, Duling Chen, and Dilraba Dilmurat. The movie is an adaptation of the popular Japanese novel "Miracles of the Namiya General Store" by Keigo Higashino. It is a heartwarming tale of three teenagers who stumble upon an old abandoned store and, through a series of improbable events, embark on a journey of self-discovery.

The movie begins with three delinquent teenagers: Chen Kuang, Ma Li and Wang Bo, who run away from their abusive foster home and end up at a mysterious abandoned store in the middle of nowhere. As they start rifling through the dusty store's stock, they find an old letter addressed to the shopkeeper. When they respond to it, using a vintage post box found within the shop, little did they know that their replies would catalyze a series of events that would transform their lives.

The letter is from a man named Gao Ye, who wrote it in the 90s during his days as a member of a pop group on the cusp of their success. He wanted to seek advice from the storekeeper but never sent the letter. The three teenagers, unaware of the time difference, reply to the letter and send it on its way to GaoYe, who is now a successful businessman in the present day. He is shocked to receive a response to a letter that he never sent, and upon learning that the letter originated from three teenagers, decides to respond.

Thus begins the chain reaction of events that leads to Gao Ye reaching out to the teenagers, who find themselves connected across the 20-year timeline in ways they could never have imagined. As they read and respond to GaoYe's letters, they discover that he was on the verge of making a life-changing mistake, and the advice they give him may change the course of his life. At the same time, Gao Ye's words of wisdom and experience help the teenagers navigate the challenges they face in their own lives, and slowly, the abandoned store becomes a hub of healing for all of them.

One of the key themes of the movie is the power of human connection - that sometimes, people who are seemingly strangers can have a profound impact on each other's lives. As Gao Ye and the teenagers continue their correspondence, they develop a deep bond that transcends time and distance. The unlikely friendship they form also helps them confront their own demons, and they find that the pains of their past slowly fade away.

Another significant theme in the movie is the idea of redemption. The three runaway teenagers each have their own set of mistakes and struggles from the past, and throughout the course of the movie, they learn to forgive themselves and others for their past actions. Gao Ye, on the other hand, is facing his own set of challenges in the present day, and the advice he receives from the teenagers helps him find the strength to face his fears and make amends for his mistakes.

The acting in Namiya is stellar, with each of the main characters delivering a moving performance that is both nuanced and powerful. Jackie Chan's role as the wise and enigmatic shopkeeper is understated, but he delivers a poignant characterization that brings an additional layer of depth to the movie. The cinematography is also breathtaking, capturing the stunning natural landscapes of China and Japan in a way that adds to the movie's overall appeal.

In conclusion, Namiya is a beautiful and inspiring movie that will appeal to viewers of all ages. The themes of the power of human connection and redemption are explored with great sensitivity and nuance, and the performances by the cast are simply outstanding. This movie is highly recommended for anyone seeking an uplifting and heartwarming cinematic experience.

Namiya is a 2018 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.