This movie didn't work for me, apart from Tori's acting that was superb! Ryou's expression when he catches the real feeling/emotion from his clients is super!
In my opinion , the way the sex scenes had been shown was more pornographic/graphic than necessary, even if the theme is prostitution into complex situations.
Of course, it's a dark movie with broken, incomplete lives that end up interlaced so, over emotions and pain are part of it... But the interaction between Midou Shizuka and Ryou were not properly built up to justify so much emotion/expectations into any kind of relationship between them (apart from the business connection).
I easily empathize with characters and their counterpart in movies - even the slightest connection do touch me, but this movie lacks the connections and end up overloading the main character.
Also, Ryou revealing his past related to his mother to Shizuka, does not justify the need of Shizuka revealing about Ryou's mother's way of life... if the cause of his mother death was related to her 'job' then yes Shizuka's explanation would have made sense, but it lost the meaning altogether ... I mean, there you have someone that is still in pain about a loss and you just go there and poke the wound? ...
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
As an avid manga reader and Japanese's animes fan, I quite enjoyed movies with unexpected close-up cams. Final Life was shot-styled as ’film noir’ - sharp on pink-amber X contrast-colours X perspectives, what is cool! Still lacking a bit of ‘tempo’ but overall good. I’ve never watched any other work of this director, but I am at least curious now.
The plot is very interesting and I feel that it’s just the beginning and that it could be developed in more serious/cool stuff. You get the context in no time… And the sometimes, over violence or background character painful flashbacks that can shocks and irritate at the same time … are very pontual (anime like).
Probably because it has just 12 episodes, the start is way too rushed and it doesn’t give you time to create empathy/opinion about the main characters so, the viewers have to make their own minds up about them. It would be nice having a better introduction of Minjoon to justify being the chosen one, of course... but, at least, I liked the thin build-up chemistry between Ryo and Shion.
Lee Taemin is pretty good on this melancholic role, but his moves are still a bit "staged" what will soften on time... On the other hand, this character (Shion) is very interesting with many possibilities and really need this air of untouched idol/hero ;-) !!
Not saying that it’s a work-of-art at all, not to mention that the American scenes/actors are very ridiculous poor (why they didn’t use the help of an American actor-coaching for the scenes?) but, compared with the latest dramas that I have been watching, this one certainly kept expecting the next scene...
If will be there new season, hopefully they give a better thought to the screenplay and keep the bad parts out ;-)!
Was this review helpful to you?
I knew it was supposed to be a sad drama but I didn't have a clue what it was about it so everything was a surprise and the pace of each episode is very soft so it prepares you for the outcome... no rushing forced scenes, at any time, as happens in some dramas of the same nature.
It's a mature but nice written storyline that explores the heaviness of subjects like suicide, sickness, grieving, endurance... what is welcome to talk/read/discuss and understand about it at any time.
Though very sad, is brilliantly and captivating.
The actors show amazing work, all characters have great chemistry together and no overacting at all (apart from the comedy bit)... Every actor plays their part tremendously and I didn't know any of the actors but I am looking forward to know the work of the main actors better.
Do not hesitate in watching this drama... you will not end up crying your yes out just emotions will freely flow...
Was this review helpful to you?
It's a bit frustrating at some points, but it is a good thing as you just want to protect the people involved and make their lives a bit easier. That means that you sometimes fell overwhelmed - ups and downs - and the 'tell-telling' feelings described is very much touchy. Im She Wan and Hong Jong Hyun very good acting really surprised me.
Head to the end you can tell where it's heading to the end, the empty and feeling of loss will be there wherever the result as on a triangle romance the three ones can't end up together, of course.
I finished this drama a couple of days ago, but I still have it in my mind and I'm still feeling the 'punch' of the end, so it is good drama to watch - As I watch many dramas, I drop some, put others on hold or I just forget all about it easily. Had fun and a good time watching it!
Was this review helpful to you?
Situations on the plot on the business and romance department are way too forced... Awful.
Don't get me wrong I do enjoy fantasy/romance/comedy and teen stuff ... geez I had lots of fun watching 'Good morning call' but this drama tempers with one's patience.
The main actress (Dilraba Dilmurat) got my full attention therefore from now on I will stir far away of any work she does. Also, this drama even spoiled Deng Lun a bit ... Totally lost my interest in him, Ashes of Love was the luck shot!
The only good thing was seeing Chen Yi Long for the first time... really liked his performance and charisma.
Unfortunately when I start a drama I never drop it so it was painful!
Was this review helpful to you?
You don't feel the long-time running - which means the script was well written -, but in the end of the movie I felt that something was missing and it might be the fact that the essence of the problem was taken way too lightly.
As the movie is pretty much concentrated on the two main characters, for me, connecting with the characters is important, but for some reason I didn't feel the connection and the sequence of events just turned too obvious.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good movie and it might be very appealing for some people so give it a try.
Was this review helpful to you?
I have to admit I initially dipped into this drama to see what it was all about since I, sometime, have fun watching teenagers series but, this drama (listed on Netflix as teen) is not a drama for teens at all. It's long and slow paced at some points and very 'real'...
It's a fantastic drama and by the end of each episode the cut is so well thought that makes utterly engaged wanting to watch the next episode non stop.
Of course, there's romance involved but by the time you're into to the drama, it's not even important if the couple will end up together as the plot development is so intense and interesting that even if you'd read/known about the real events that inspired the drama, the well played the whole plot/roles captivates you.
The only thing that bothered me, as I like taking notice on shot details, is the camera closeups... they too closed so, most of the time, you don't see the top of the actors head what make them look a bit flat heads and looses a bit of their nice looking... No expert here, just saying and probably not many people will notice that.
Yoo Ah In, Byun Yo Han and Yoon Gyun Sang are simply amazing!
Was this review helpful to you?
Yoo Ah In is amazing, he transpire his character as he belongs to that environment, you'll feel Jung-su's contained pain and why the easy attachment to Hae Mi ... Very nice acting!
Jong Seo is fantastic and her panther like moves makes her acting stands out, it surprises me that was her first movie because she is very confident.
Steven Yeun with his easy smile and demeanour catch your attention and his role in this movie needs attention indeed!
The whole movie takes you to an unexpected end what was very good that made me want more!
Give a try...
Was this review helpful to you?
The story makes you wonder... how co
Xu Haiqiao hair style gave the character an air 'out of reach' superiority that combined with his expressive eyes it was something else! I just don't give 10 because those long scenes of mambo-jambo of the girl whining and imploring and bagging to be loved forever by the main guy, present in so many Chinese dramas, is rather irritating... Beautiful photography too, really thinking in visiting the city when on vacation!
Was this review helpful to you?
Quite nice!
Nice drama, nice fights and plot. Overall it was good and fun to watch. I start watching because of Sandra Ma and actually it was the first time that I get to see William Chan (never heard about him before) so I hadn’t any expectations but, maybe because of his character, he looks robotic and silly in the beginning but eventually he gets better and of course with his melting smile things get even better. On the other hand Sandra Ma that plays a badass girl turn, too much, into a mush potato… well, love, right?! Worth and fun to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Perfect for anyone who loves romance with interesting and appealing content where the romance turns into part of the characters lives as whole and not as focus of the movie. Very good.
About difficulties and challenges in life, that might be not part of our reality, but it exists in this world, and the amazing people that hold and live their lives with standards, courage and determination doesn't matter what.
Ji Sub is a perfect brooding male lead who performs his role with amazing justice making the character very genuine, not to mention fit as nobody business! Also, Hyo Joo is super cute and very natural. The chemistry between both of them, in this movie, is palpable.
Do not stop yourself watching this movie because it's from 2011, it feels very new and the fun part is that many actors from this movie are a constant presence on actual dramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
I just watch an excellent movie!
Yes, it's involved on homosexuality BUT, and it is a big but, even if it's not your cup-of-tea or you're too squeamish for related subject, give a go and do not scape this movie...
The acting is simply amazing! The scene where Yeong Woo drop his first tear is touching and venerable at the same time... and the surprise (and torment) when Jae Ha realises that what he's feeling is way of chart, is centred on his eyes... beautiful. Super acting really.
At first, I just watched it because of Sung Woong (that caught my attention on 'Remember') but right on the beginning of the movie I liked his character and demeanour so the rest was just fun ... Meanwhile, Seung Hoon woo me with his acting and it was the cherry of the cake!
How to describe this movie? Lightness and sensuality... just pay some special attention and you'll feel the connection... well I did ;-) !
Also, more than a possibility of a homosexual context movie, for me, it was more like 'the hammer on the nail!' kind of relationship... the kind that when you open your eyes wide... it's too late... no coming back!
Was this review helpful to you?
Powerful and emotional, but never overly sentimental, this is a great work. You get moved with the gracefulness of the main character and makes you wonder... how to survive daily in his shoes?...
You already know what is all about it before starting watching it so you know that it'll be sad as ALS is as disease growing in numbers of affected people yearly, but with the light script mixed with good acting you won't be crying your yes out at all!
Watching this drama can also help to understand and also support the worldwide research to find out how to fight against it so really deserve being watched.
Give it a shot it will surprises you!
Was this review helpful to you?