Vital (18)
- Consumer Advice: Contains asphyxiative practices
- Run time: 1 hour 25 mins
- Language: Japanese
- Genre: Drama
- Release date: 30th September 2005
- Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Nami Tsukamoto, Kiki
- Directed by: Shinya Tsukamoto
- Distributor: Tartan Films
Plot Synopsis
Hiroshi Takagi (Tadanobu Asano) wakes up in hospital to find that his memory has been affected after being involved in a car accident. At first, he is unable even to remember the faces of his parents. After returning home to convalesce, Hiroshi is drawn back to his early interest in medicine and eventually enrolls in medical school where he encounters Ikumi Yoshimoto (Kiki), a model female student with some relationship issues.
As his studies progress, the time comes to begin the dissection program of his course. The doctor tells them to always trust their eyes, to see what is actually there, and to draw their conclusions from this. Hiroshi begins this area of his course with dedication, and bravely maintains a discreet distance from the harsh reality of cutting up human bodies.
But memory is a fragile and complex entity. In stark contrast to his studies, which are based on fact and reality, Hiroshi starts being "visited" by a young woman. Sometimes they are in his room, and other times they are at the beach or in a sunlit forest. At the same time, Ikumi is trying to win Hiroshi's favors, and she also spends time with him.
As Hiroshi's memory gradually becomes more complete, he realizes that the body on the dissection table and the woman who "visits" him is Ryoko (Nami Tsukamoto, his former girlfriend. As Hiroshi's memory gradually becomes more complete, he realizes that the body on the dissection table and the woman who "visits" him is Ryoko, his former girlfriend.
He starts going to see Ryoko's parents. Some of the details are a mixture of real memories and the stories of the "visits". Ikumi is jealous of Hiroshi's past, and his "ongoing" relationship with Ryoko. She becomes self-destructive in an attempt to appeal to Hiroshi's emotions.
Time passes, and the dissection program is almost over. Hiroshi must deal with Ryoko's physical body being cremated, yet he wants to tell her during the "visits" that he would stay with her forever.