Last Life in the Universe 2004

Kenji is a solitary librarian working at the Japan Foundation in Bangkok, surrounded by meticulously organized stacks of books. His half-hearted attempts to end his life are constantly thwarted by the people around him. Among his primary distractions is his self-centered brother, Yukio, a yakuza who fled Japan to escape the vengeance of his employer after a scandal involving the employer’s daughter. Yukio’s friend Takashi warns him about the potential consequences, asserting that if it were his daughter involved, he would ensure the despoiler faced dire consequences. However, Yukio dismisses this caution with a laugh, preferring the companionship of a local club where he can charm a bunny-eared hostess named Nid. Tension brews as Nid’s sister, Noi, is furious at her for sleeping with her boyfriend, Jon.

While at the library, Kenji finds himself secretly watching Nid, who is wearing a charming schoolgirl’s outfit. In a shocking turn, he uncovers a hidden pistol concealed within a teddy bear belonging to Yukio just as he prepares for his own demise. Tragedy strikes when Yukio is murdered by Takashi, allegedly hired by Yukio’s employer. In a moment of unexpected resolve, Kenji shoots Takashi, thus altering the course of his fate.

Later, as Kenji contemplates jumping off a bridge, he witnesses a heated exchange between Noi and Nid. In a moment of chaos, Nid is tragically struck by a passing vehicle and dies, while Kenji and Noi, both grieving the loss of their siblings, begrudgingly form a bond. Kenji, desperately seeking companionship, requests to stay with Noi, preferring her chaotic beachside home over his lifeless apartment filled with reminders of death. Noi generously welcomes him, and as he begins to tidy up her disordered living space, she plans to travel back to Japan to pursue her dreams.

The film begins to embrace surrealism, showcasing moments where the house seems to clean itself, and Kenji finds himself enchanted by the notion of Noi transforming into her beguiling sister. Together, they navigate their contrasting personalities, igniting a peculiar yet touching relationship. Behind the scenes, trouble brews as Jon, Noi’s abusive ex-boyfriend, grows enraged by her desire to move on, while three yakuza are dispatched to investigate the fate of Takashi.

As the climax unfolds, Kenji drives Noi to the airport but ultimately decides to follow her to Japan. While he returns to his apartment to gather his belongings, a series of violent encounters erupt: first Jon appears, followed by the yakuza, leading to chaos in Kenji’s apartment. After Jon meets a tragic end, Kenji manages to flee through the window, setting the stage for a series of ambiguous events.

The film alternates between two pivotal scenes: one in which Kenji faces arrest for an undisclosed crime, and another depicting his reunion with Noi in Japan. The relationship between these scenes remains a mystery, leaving audiences to ponder whether the reunion is merely a figment of Kenji’s imagination. Throughout this intricate narrative, a recurring motif is the presence of a gecko residing in Noi’s house, as well as references to “The Last Lizard,” a children’s book by Kenji about a lizard realizing the necessity of companionship, even in the presence of adversaries.