Brush Up Life (2023)

Here I am, once again (after "Informa") writing a very negative review to a widely acclaimed drama, which I couldn't help but find really, really terrible.
Believe it or not, I don't get any pleasure doing so, quite the opposite: I'm a lot happier when I can write positive reviews and explain why I deem a drama fabulous, rather than horrible! But I believe in sincerity, so I gotta tell it how I see it. And the way I see it (again, I'll use the same words I wrote about "Informa") is, this is *pure Hollywood*. Which might be totally fine for everyone else, of course. But in my book that's tantamount to saying it's *cr@p*, sorry.

As typical for Hollywoodian series, here too we have a very well done first episode (I honestly loved it and was expecting a wholesome, clean, deep drama, filled with lovely, ethical messages - hence why I hated it more and more with every subsequent episode, alas) followed by a disgracefully shallow, silly and ultimately, obnoxiously boring rest of the series.
What annoyed me the most (heck, "annoyed" ain't even the proper word - "deeply insulted" is more like it!) is the constant, disgusting propaganda of Western "values" - in this case, one of the most incredibly sexist production I've ever had the misfortune to watch: NOT A SINGLE MALE CHARACTER could be described as a decent human being. They're all liars, cheaters, perverts; they're all lame, stupid, and useless; and according to this horrible script it's okay to have fun at their expenses (the scenes where the fat guy appears and they start clapping, with such a mocking, distasteful vibe! Apparently, fat-shaming is okay as long as males are the - big - butt of the joke?! >___<), it's okay to steal from them, to despise them, to stalk and menace them, to hit them and make them bleed, and even to plan to poison them!!! The only (partial) exception - and incidentally, the only love interest of the borderline sociopathic FL in all five of her lives: but of course, a billionaire! Materialistic much?! (BTW, that detail alone is pretty ironic when we consider that the writer is a middle-aged male, definitely not particularly attractive, who's loaded and has married a former idol much younger than him - where are all the "age-gap nazis" always ready to comment with an "Eeeeeeeewwww!!!!" when we actually need them? - now you'll see one more reason this all thing reeks of Hollywood to me - Hollywood, where they could keep a straight face producing ultrafeminist stuff all while having that ***** Weinstein at the helm for decades. URGH)

Another thing that really bothered me was indeed the FL: as I said, a borderline sociopath who doesn't help others 'cause it's the right thing to do and it's good, but only so as to "complete missions" to rake up "points" so that she'll be able to reincarnate as a "human"...such a terrible let down, as far as I'm concerned.

I can't fairly judge the (great) cast, given the terribly poor (again, hollywoodian) script they had to work with. Take for example the second half of the last episode: 20+ minutes of utterly idiotic, idle chat, TWENTY WHOLE MINUTES of BLA-BLA-BLA where nothing even remotely intelligent is said! T_____T
As the good old Zetsubou-sensei would put it: "Zetsuboushita!" >__________<

Very well confectioned, true. But ultimately a waste of bytes.
If this is where J-dramas are headed (I hope not but fear so), I'll have to limit myself to older productions or to C-dramas in the next future.

All this imvho, as always. Feel free to disagree but please respect my opinion. Peace! ^___-

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Beautiful, wholesome, heartwarming and leaves you with a huge smile.

This is a wonderfully written and perfectly played comedy of a calibre that I haven't seen in a very long time. The plot summary gives you a little hint about what's to come. However, just watch an episode and you can't but be captivated by the wonderful realism in the story and acting, how the characters draw you in and connect at a very deep level, and the warmth and happiness that you'll surely feel.

As the plot summary hints, the story touches upon complicated topics like the consequences of your choices and actions and does this in a beautiful style that delicately balances humour, fantasy and relatability.

The children play their roles with such class, I'd be sitting with a silly grin on my face throughout. When playing adults, the characters share lots of trivia and day-to-day events, and this style works superbly here because it's blended and balanced so well with the underlying threads of the narrative and I now feel that I really "know" the people behind the screen. It's like I have a seat at their table while they're enjoying a lighthearted conversation over tea, and when the scene is over I'm feeling that I was really at tea with old friends - not a very different feeling than when I've met my friends in real life - it feels real, not like acting. Very few movies or dramas have ever managed this.

I'll not spoil it, but stick with it to the end through the plot twists - the ending is just so wholesome and happy. I still feel the joy and warmth long after having finished watching it. I recommend this highly to anyone looking for a story that's deep, meaningful and rewarding to watch.

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Changer ton passé, tu peux te brosser !

Un Drama peut en cacher un autre. C'est clairement la réflexion que l'on a au fur et à mesure de notre progression dans Brush Up Life tant on ne sait plus à quoi s'attendre d'un épisode à l'autre. Annoncé au départ comme de la SF, ayant pour thème une énième voyage dans le temps. On s'attendait à revivre les sempiternelles scènes de dizaines d'œuvres ayant déjà abordé le sujet. Shitteru Wife ou Back to the future, vers quelle comédie ce drama va lorgner ? Certainement pas vers le romantisme absolu du premier, car c'est le génialissime Bakarhythm qui œuvre au scénario. Une fois de plus, il dépeint la société japonaise, avec son humour, parfois noire, mais toujours absurde et tout en retenu. La série prend donc des aspects protéiformes, lorgnant autant vers le questionnement philosophique que le burlesque. La vie, la mort, le bonheur, les frites ou les appareils de massages du téléachat. Ce drama est une pièce maitresse de l'humour intello à la japonaise faisant rythmer les mots avec la stupidité des gents et plus généralement de la condition humaine. Une œuvre d'étude dans les UV de civilisation japonaise à l'étranger et que je vais décortiquer comme un maquereau en sushi.

Pour ses acteurs déjà, qui non contents de faire déjà partie de la Dream Team des trentenaires pour les personnages principaux, sont accompagnés de pléthore de featuring d'un épisode à l'autre. Ando Sakura (Shoplifter, Manpuku) transcende toujours ses premiers rôles grâce à sa joie de vivre communicative, même si ici, le rôle demande plus de retenue. Accompagnée de Kaho, Kinami Haruka ou Matsuzaka Tori (Perfect world), on aurait pu s'arrêter là, mais Kuroki Haru, Nakamura Toru, et bien sûr Bakarhythm himself nous feront le bonheur de leur présence.

On appréciera la vision du scénariste sur la famille, le travail, l'école, réglant ses comptes au passage avec le système éducatif japonais. Il prend le parti de décrire plusieurs vies pour le même personnage qui devraient être normalement très différentes, mais pas tant que cela, finalement. Il a trouvé en Ando Sakura sa muse pour interpréter ses névroses. Woody Allen n'est surement pas loin avec cette proportion à se moquer de lui tout en dénonçant les travers de la société. On aime la modestie dont il fait part et qu'il a su insuffler au personnage principal et à ses congénères Quel que soit le degré de réussite dans les différentes vies proposé à notre héroïne. L'humour d'écalé, notamment les scènes du purgatoire, fait mouche. Même si certaines séquences lunaires ou trop longues en conversations et silences ont parfois du mal à capter notre attention sur la durée.

Comme souvent avec les dramas de Bakarhythm et c'est ce qui pourra rebuter nous occidentaux ne maitrisant pas les subtilités de la langue, une voix off, petite voix intérieure du personnage principal, est omniprésente. Le flow aussi de celle-ci pourra devenir légèrement irritant, allant jusqu'à commenter ses propres commentaires. Mais pour les adeptes des réseaux sociaux, ses saillies verbales dérangeront peu. Les silences gênants étant une marque de fabrique de notre comique, il en use et en abuse sur la longueur de ses 10 épisodes. Après le 3e justement, on commence à se demander où veut-il bien en venir. Va-t-il tourner en rond pour ternir sur la longueur et nous perdre complètement ?

Eh bien finalement, pas du tout. Bien contient que revivre incessamment les mêmes scènes peuvent rebuter rapidement le spectateur, il insuffle à chaque épisode une originalité tout restant dans la continuité de la série. Et même à la fin du 7e qui aurait pu servir de conclusion à celle-ci, il nous surprend à nouveau et nous redonne en-vie de repartir encore une fois avec lui, priant pour que notre héroïne meure une nouvelle fois dans des circonstances atroces.

La musique est pertinente, mais dans cette BO, le bonheur viendra de toutes ces Madelaine de Proust que l'on entendra régulièrement. Avec des titres Pops Japonais qui ont marqué les 40 dernières années. Étant un grand fan de J-pop et de nostalgie, je ne pouvais qu'être aux anges. Mis si vous aimez qu'un temps soit peu la J-pop, vous aussi adorerez certainement revivre incessamment ses 40 années passées. La musique accompagne la série comme elle a accompagné notre vie et assurément celle de Bakarhythm. Tout comme l'arrivée des Mall Center, les Purikura ou des karaokés qui rappellent tant de bons souvenirs. Toute cette nostalgie dégouline de ce drama sans jamais être larmoyant ou donneur de leçons avec du "C'était mieux avant". Sans être japonais et avoir vécu ses 46 premières années dans ce formidable pays, par ce drama, je peux imaginer la vie des gents ordinaires et avoir l'impression de l'avoir vécu avec eux. Et si par malheur, je rencontre un putain de camion en traversant la route, je sais déjà quel nouveau choix de vie et en l'occurrence de langue, je ferai pour mes études. Ère Heisei, me voilà !

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よくまとまったねぇ～

Khi xem đến tập cuối mình đã lo sẽ có những diễn biến bất ngờ nào đó nhưng cuối cùng phim đã kết thúc một cách vô cùng trọn vẹn, đầy cảm xúc và không hề bị đầu với đuôi chuột hay chút thiếu sót nào hết. Thật tuyệt vời.
Ưu điểm:
- Diễn xuất tuyệt vời. Mình thích nhất là bé Asami hồi nhỏ. Những cảnh bé dạy đời các bạn nhỏ, khuyên nhủ cô giáo khiến mình phải bật cười. Cả cách cô bé nhìn thấy cảnh bố Reina chim chuột cô giáo ẻm, cách khinh bỉ đó :)))).
- Kịch bản xuất sắc. Chắc có lẽ điều khiến cho bộ phim này hay đến như vậy là kịch bản và tuyến truyện thông mình chăng? Dù lúc nào cũng lặp đi lặp lại như vậy nhưng mình không thấy chút nhàm chán nào. Tiếp theo là mỗi một nhân vật trong phim đều có một vẻ đẹp riêng chứ không chỉ là công cụ dựng lên những tình huống trong phim. Những câu chuyện nhân vật bên lề như Fukuda, chuyện ông thầy câpd hai, chuyện cô em Haruka...
- Nhạc hay. Mình nghĩ một lồng khéo xuất sắc tiếp theo là nhạc phim. Đều xuất hiện một cách tình cờ nhưng có chủ đích để dẫn dắt sự hài hước, trầm lắng, kỷ nien cùng những khoảng khắc của nhân vật. Ngoài ra coi mình cũng biết được vài bài hot hit ngày xưa của Nhật

Khuyết điểm: Khum, không có chút nào hếtttttt. 100/10

Must watch;!!! Và mình sẽ coi lại lần haiiiii.
P/s: Thích mí câu chuyện vô tri mà mấy chị nói với nhau, làm mình nhớ lại khoảnh khắc cũng ngồi vô tri hằng giờ đồng hồ với bạn :)))

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Reiniciando

Uma história com um cotidiano normal, mas com um fator diferencial, após a morte pode reencarnar ou reiniciar sua vida. Cada fase da vida da Kondo Asami foi diferente e divertido a sua maneira. As conversas e cenas pareciam ter sidos filmadas de uma conversa comum do dia a dia, tudo muito natural, me senti fazendo parte da vida dela. Amei as reações dela e seu jeitinho de ser. A amizade das meninas foi o melhor e mais divertido de assistir. O plot dos episódios finais foi bem legal, e como se encaixou com as fases inicias. Tudo muito bem interligado, sem pontas soltas, sem deixar entediante, sem enredo muito mirabolante, simples, lindo e divertido.

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