Restless [Limited Release] [Blu-ray]

This film is delightfully charming, deeply human, and ultimately sad. Sad, because the ethereally beautiful, endlessly kind and cheerful Annabel (Mia Wasikowska) is dying, and finally she die in the end of the story. But until then, she lives, much more intensively, like others, whose are not must hurry for the soon-to-expire time. Annabel meet Enoch (Henry Hopper), who is a handsome but a bit strange guy, at a funeral. Enoch goes from funeral to funeral as a hobby, while he playing 'Torpedo' at home with his "ghost", Hiroshi (Ryo Kase) - a young Japanese Kamikaze pilot - who lives only in the young guy's mind. Enoch lost his parents, Annabel goes to die inevitably early, thus this two young people destined for each other by fate. Despite, initially Enoch rejects Annabel's friendship, but not much later he takes the girl to his parents grave in the cemetery, where the girl drawings birds. Annabel introduces herself to Enoch's parents and chat with them. The restraint young man can't resist this vivid girl, who just wait the die with stoical acceptance, and thinking about dead, as people who just be elsewhere. She ain't sad, but kind and warm-hearted, later she can talk with Hiroshi just like Enoch. The ghost jealous a bit to the girl, who sneaks into Enoch's heart and mind, but Annabel’s kindness is irresistible, thus Hiroshi will be her friend. We can watch this trio throughout many fun, from Halloween through ice skating to karate lesson, meanwhile Annabel need some treatment in the hospital, which reminds them to the inevitable. Annabel leaves out, in silence - no melodramatic scenes in the end - we just see Enoch at the funeral of his late love, when stands behind the microphone, prepare for his speech, and smiling while he remebering to their happy times with Annabel. In my opinion, this is a bittersweet symphony of passing away. I was dropped some tears when I watched, and I think, this is a proof of the high quality of the production. Well-written by Jason Lew, wonderfully filmed by Harris Savides, flawlessly directed by Gus Van Sant, and outstandingly acted by the three lead actors: the angelic Mia Wasikowska, the charming Dennis Hopper, the philosophic-sober Ryo Kase. Recommended to everyone, who loves intelligent stories, superb cinematography, and brilliant acting.