This review may contain spoilers
There is life under the surface of dead brain comedy.
This show could have been a very good one and at moments it was.It strengthened my interest in Japanese social comedy past the annoying and ludicrous reactions in some scenes that usually hold me back. Actually, this jdrama landed not too far away from being a hidden gem. Here is why.
First the writer pulled off surprisingly realistic and deep character. Most of the characters have more layers to them than what is hinted at the beginning. Take the groom to be Keigo for example, The stainless charming prince turns into a double standard jerk and finally into a despicable coward. Each layer slips in a very natural way, in harmony with the story development, not forced at all. The same occurs with Hitomi's mother and sister who have much more to their characters than what their silly introduction lets on. You can catch a glimpse of the struggles and doubts the mother has come across even if just hinted. Finally the main lead Manabu is the finest example of these “layers” paradigm. His character is quite disappointing at first as a marriage wrecker (not that he does anything to be a marriage wrecker actually), so straightforward and dull. But as the story develops his inner layers appear and let on a mature, respectful and bright personality, who was just waiting for someone like Hitomi to come and shake his world.
In addition to good characters writing, the issues it deals with really hit home. First I thought I would never relate to the show. What is a young woman supposed to do : give up to a fling or be a sensible person who invests in her future? That kind of dilemma doesn't strike any chord with me and I was about to give up on the show when it took a different path. It's built around the idea that double standards and hypocrisy deeply shape our choices. Social status is obviously assumed as a major thing in Japanese culture and society (or at least that's what I understand from my limited knowledge), nothing new here. But this show succeeds in showing some of the powerfull social structure that leads to it. It does not come only on your personal choices, but on all your interactions and values. As a European I could perfectly relate to this analysis.
Unfortunately though, what the show misses is still crucial.
Mainly time and substance. To tell the mother and sister's character development, Manabu's change of heart. And above all to account for Hitomi's poor decision making which really doesn't make any sense with her character arc.
Last but not least, what a poor and rushed happy ending. This show deserved much better.
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Social Criticism At It's Most Confusing
This was so much fun, while I did want to beat a few people up as well as mute the mom and sister... I still found myself enjoying this just a little bit to much...As this is a drama that talkes about class, and by that I do no mean school class, or being classy but the actual blue collar white collar socioeconomic class... power relations, masculinity the works and it does it beautifully... Fine you may need to dig a bit and there are a lot, and by that I mean a lot lines that are there to show the absurdity of gender and class conventions that if taken out of this satire context would seem a bit sexist... So they are pretty much putting these things out there. I am willing to admit that some of the stuff they put out there had me guessing wondering are they serious or are they just trying to show this stuff as the line between progressiveness and whatever I should call it can feel a bit blurred... And thing do become kind of absurd... And I guess I liked it.
While I hated the female leads mom and sister I did really enjoy watching all four leads, their lines, thier characters, their interactions mimics.. muscles... As well as the use of the word sexy" and "uterus".
That said the wrap up was a bit to fast, so I would like a few more episodes. But other than that this is an easy binge and a whole lot of fun...
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Good Enough
There were times that the Japanese Drama "Eroi Kareshi ga Watashi wo Madowasu" escaped the trap of a silly rom com and got a turn towards unexpected depths.The drama starts on a bit of a ridiculous note, with the main lead seeing a man working at the construction site and immediately finding him attractive. Then, she and her family come to his house and start bargaining whether she should or not go through with her marriage or fall for the stranger's charms. And, all along, the man has no idea who they are or is even asked what he wants.
And then, as the story brings the two together, the character starts realizing that she must be the one who takes her future into her own hands, and not her family, her husband, or her social background.
Unfortunately, that momentum didn't last for long, as, in the end, the drama takes back everything that it was trying to provide, with a cliche trop for the conclusion.
AS for the main couple, they looked good together, but they didn't have natural chemistry. Rather, their love story felt forced and scripted.
Finally, the performances were great by everyone in the cast.
So, overall, 5 out of 10.
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Beaucoup plus profond qu'il n'y paraît.
Voilà une histoire qui sort un peu des sentiers battus.Alors c'est une conception du mariage qui n'est pas tout à fait - en règle générale - celle de l'Occident : le rôle de la femme, sa place dans la société, le mariage étant l'achèvement ultime d'une vie bien réglée...
C'est très particulier et en même temps très intéressant.
On est bien d'accord, la mère et la soeur sont des plaies, qui jettent de l'huile sur le feu et qui s'étonnent d'avoir un retour de flamme.
(mention spéciale quand même à l'actrice qui joue la mère : un régal).
Le fiancé est, n'ayons pas peur des mots, un gros con; sous prétexte de se sentir blessé dans son égo, il s'offre un petit intermède sans aucun remord, pour se venger du fait que sa fiancée ait "craqué" - sans aller plus loin que le coup de coeur - sur un homme qui n'est pas aussi bien que lui (c'est ce qu'il pense)
Le genre de type à fuir, tous pays confondus.
Mai, la petite ami de Manabu (le fameux sexy boyfriend) quant à elle, essaie de profiter de l'occasion et a des envies de bourgeoisie...
Au final, les deux personnages les plus honnêtes sont Hitomi, la fiancée au coeur de midinette et Manabu (au passage, oui, Manabu est sexy; il n'est pas besoin d'être beau pour être sexy).
Je vous laisse découvrir la fin, qui est un peu...carambolée mais jouissive, de mon point de vue.
Matsui Airi est adorable, comme toujours; et Kasamatsu Sho est définitivement "hot" :-)
Ce n'est pas le chef d'oeuvre du siècle, c'est certain, mais je le note assez haut juste pour le vent de fraîcheur qu'il m'a apporté et le talent des acteurs.
Je le reverrai avec grand plaisir.
Cerise sur le gâteau : L'OST est superbe.
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