August 31st, 2008
Jdorama Review: Last Friends
"Family, friends, a married couple, lovers, we seem to be one of these, but we’re actually none of them. We will treasure this fragile happiness, and go as far as we can. From now, let’s be friends forever, if possible, without ever separating. And even if something happens and we must separate, let’s meet again someday, and laugh together, forever. My dear friends, you are my last friends."
Domestic violence, homosexuality and child abuse are just few of the issues being tackled in this suspense drama of Fuji TV. The story of Last Friends talks about the relationships of Michiru, a victim of domestic violence, with the other residents of the share house: Ruka, a loyal friend of Michiru who hides her true feelings for her; Takeru, a victim of child abuse; Eri, a flight attendant who do not believe in eternal love and Ogura, a married man whose wife was having an affair with another man, as they try to help and protect Michiru from Sousuke, her boyfriend who works in Child Welfare Division.
The series actually started really good, amazing if I say so because no other dramas have tried to tackle delicate issues that portray the reality of our world but as the series goes on, the story becomes predictable and dragging. The last episode is disappointing because it felt like they just put everything in it then ended it without even answering some of the issues about the other characters. Although I understand that the main issue of the series is about domestic violence, the writers wasted the opportunity to tackle and develop the story of the supporting casts like Takeru (Eita), Eri (Mizukawa Asami) and even the past of Sousuke (Nishikido Ryo) was not explained properly, which could help the viewers understand why he violates or beats Michiru (Nagasawa Masami).
But what makes this drama good is not just because of the new concept (even though the storyline became weak as the series progresses) but also because of the outstanding performance of the casts. Ueno Juri and Eita, is without a doubt, are great actors but I also want to complement Nishikido Ryo for doing an excellent job. I’ve watched some of his dramas and I can say that his acting already improved here especially in the last part where he breaks down, somehow you feel sorry for him even though he hurt so many people. Asami and Shigenori (Ogura) gave the comic relief and they’ve done that part pretty well. Masami, although acted not that bad, her performance was not that impressive compared to others. I really don’t know what was lacking but I think the way she portrays her character was not that great.
Another thing worth mentioning is the soundtrack of the series. Utada Hikaru’s Prisoner of Love was used as the theme of this drama and I can say that it was really good and perfect for the series although it was used too much but nonetheless, it was good.
Overall, the series is okay, not that great but not that bad either, if the writers just used the concept properly and not focused too much about domestic violence (they’ve wasted episodes just to emphasize the act of domestic violence), I think this series would be fantastic and one of the best doramas ever. But I think the message that they wanted tell to the viewers were more important and that is, loving a person is not defined by their gender or even by the norms of society, you can love a person as long as you treat them not by their gender but as an equal human being.
RATING: 
NOTE: This series won major awards in the 57th Television Drama Academy Awards and Ueno Juri and Nishikido Ryo won Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor respectively both in Television Drama Academy Awards and in Nikkan Sports Drama GrandPrix. I've also read somewhere that there are plans of making this series a movie...
3 Read and Commented
baboysai
They said they were a couple, lovers, friends, parents, family, the three of them. That was their huge defiance of social definitions of these relationships. It was like they were saying "Fuck you all, this is what we feel. Why can't we just be gray and not fall behind any lines?"
Anyway, prisoner of love by Hikaru Utada indeed wins. hehe.
the_storyteller
baboysai
