Hachi, starring Richard Gere, is a warm, touching story that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Gere plays the role of a professor who finds an Akita puppy wandering around at a train station on his way home from work one evening. His attempts to find the owner fail and he and the dog form a great bond. 

Hachi, as he's called, follows him to the train station every morning and is there to greet him when he returns.  People in the small community get used to seeing Hachi greet his beloved master daily.  The professor dies of a heart attack at work one day but Hachi still returns to the station every day.  Members of the family attempt to take care of him but his favorite place is at the station waiting.  It is an emotional story that tugs at your heart and shows the loyalty of man's best friend.

What makes it more touching is that it is supposedly based on a true story that took place in Japan called Hachiko. 

If you want a nice famly movie with not much special effects- this one's for you