This review may contain spoilers
Married or divorced, that is the question!
This is a stage play. Probably too long therefore they made it as a series. But nevertheless, it is still a stage play.
The drama tells the story of matrimonial troubles of two couples. To stay married or to divorce, that is the question! And mostly why? Love, companionship, society or family pressure?
There are four main characters who all like talking a lot so often they just talk to strangers or occasional acquaintances about their lives without expecting anyone to answer they flow of words.
The first couple are Hamasaki and Yuka. He is a rigid, serious and set in his ways man. He likes peace and order the most. His wife is the opposite: messy, exuberant, lively and friendly. They have been married for two years and they spend all their time together bickering and fighting over small things. He keeps threatening to divorce her until one day she goes through with it. He is surprised and for the first time he actually sees his wife for who she really is and realizes he loves her very much!
The second couple are Ryu and Akari. Ryu is a man child, spoilt, unconscientious and unreliable. He's married but that has never stopped him from sleeping around. Akari is the serious one in this relationship. She knows what he is like but she loves him and is happy to pretend not to see his wayward ways. Until her sister puts her in front of the mirror and Akari sees she had become who she hated the most: her mother. She breaks it off with Ryu who, just like any child when a toy has been taken away from him, starts a tantrum and decides he wants her. A typical child behaviour: the toy became interesting only once it had been taken away. He does not really care about Akari.
The drama is about the relationship between these four people. There is a host of support characters but they are there only to show the main characters' off.
The cinematography is original. Very static. There are not many different sets and the drama rarely ventures outside. First there is the interior of the first couple's tiny apartment which is filmed with CCTV cameras placed in ceiling corners. The fisheye effect is disturbing. And then there are many static scenes with the cast just talking without any music, and camera barely moving. Another thing giving it a theatrical vibe! And they talk a lot! And they talk very fast! In spite of that the drama is gripping, never boring but because of all the talking you need to pay attention while watching because in those torrents of words, the truths are told and secrets are revealed. Definitely not a lightweight watch but a high quality one!
By the end, most misunderstandings have been resolved though that does not mean they are going to stay together forever. They know each other's qualities and flaws but their personalities are too strong and too different for the compromise to last long time.
The actors are all excellent. Moreover, Eita sings beautifully!
The cherry on this excellent cake are the closing credits: a dance number slightly different in every episode! Amazing!
The only good version I found was on kissasian.mx but the site does not allow ad blockers. The version present on other sites is of atrocious quality! I could not find any official link! Unfortunately!
The drama tells the story of matrimonial troubles of two couples. To stay married or to divorce, that is the question! And mostly why? Love, companionship, society or family pressure?
There are four main characters who all like talking a lot so often they just talk to strangers or occasional acquaintances about their lives without expecting anyone to answer they flow of words.
The first couple are Hamasaki and Yuka. He is a rigid, serious and set in his ways man. He likes peace and order the most. His wife is the opposite: messy, exuberant, lively and friendly. They have been married for two years and they spend all their time together bickering and fighting over small things. He keeps threatening to divorce her until one day she goes through with it. He is surprised and for the first time he actually sees his wife for who she really is and realizes he loves her very much!
The second couple are Ryu and Akari. Ryu is a man child, spoilt, unconscientious and unreliable. He's married but that has never stopped him from sleeping around. Akari is the serious one in this relationship. She knows what he is like but she loves him and is happy to pretend not to see his wayward ways. Until her sister puts her in front of the mirror and Akari sees she had become who she hated the most: her mother. She breaks it off with Ryu who, just like any child when a toy has been taken away from him, starts a tantrum and decides he wants her. A typical child behaviour: the toy became interesting only once it had been taken away. He does not really care about Akari.
The drama is about the relationship between these four people. There is a host of support characters but they are there only to show the main characters' off.
The cinematography is original. Very static. There are not many different sets and the drama rarely ventures outside. First there is the interior of the first couple's tiny apartment which is filmed with CCTV cameras placed in ceiling corners. The fisheye effect is disturbing. And then there are many static scenes with the cast just talking without any music, and camera barely moving. Another thing giving it a theatrical vibe! And they talk a lot! And they talk very fast! In spite of that the drama is gripping, never boring but because of all the talking you need to pay attention while watching because in those torrents of words, the truths are told and secrets are revealed. Definitely not a lightweight watch but a high quality one!
By the end, most misunderstandings have been resolved though that does not mean they are going to stay together forever. They know each other's qualities and flaws but their personalities are too strong and too different for the compromise to last long time.
The actors are all excellent. Moreover, Eita sings beautifully!
The cherry on this excellent cake are the closing credits: a dance number slightly different in every episode! Amazing!
The only good version I found was on kissasian.mx but the site does not allow ad blockers. The version present on other sites is of atrocious quality! I could not find any official link! Unfortunately!
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