Takuya Kimura is truly splendid in Karei-naru Ichizoku as Teppei. The man is so tragically heart shattering good in that role that my heart just bled profusely for him and I fear for a moment that I might have to replace Will Turner at the helm of the Flying Dutchman.
The man really exceeded himself here and as I was watching him, I realised that Takuya is not just talented. Some people will tell you that there are other better actors for the role of Teppei. Well true maybe. But none will have Takuya’s on screen aura, something his critics cannot seem to appreciate when evaluating his works. Cast someone else as Teppei and the ratings for this drama will drop. And I’m not saying this simply because I’m a diehard Takuya fan.
This story of Karei-naru Ichizoku is very heavy going, but I assure you that it’s gripping; from the beginning to the end. It is an unromantic love story unlike Takuya’s usual, with ingredients of lust, betrayal, revenge, power, rivalry, conflict all thrown in. I just love the way the tale of the dysfunctional Manpyo family is so well woven into the backdrop of Japan’s tumultuous macroeconomics during the 60s. Kudos to the director, the script writer and the production team who could spun it all so magnificently.
All 10 episodes will have you on tenterhooks for sure, like it did for me and my hub. It was a marathon for us, and in between, we slotted in Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End although half the time while watching the movie, we wished we were back home watching this drama instead.
The mockery at the last episode however, made it very hard for me to swallow but that’s how the story goes, as a reflection that life is not always perfect. And there are certain things that are rather comical and up for laughs. Like the Eddie Murphy lookalike grandfather portrait and the robotic fat weird fish that comes afloat the pond from time to time.
But still, I give this drama two thumbs up. Watch it to appreciate the struggles, the heartaches, the despair of Teppei Manpyo and just cry out loud.
Thanks DT for making it possible for me to watch this now. Truly appreciate it! For now, I need to nurse my heart for awhile…and think about how to swipe his Gatsby posters outside Cineleisure.
Hey! This drama nice ah? I have all the episode in my lappie for quite awhile but no time to watch leh. Tink muz find time to watch liao.
ashes: It’s sugoii! Excellent! But must grasp the dialogue and not miss the lines. Otherwise, can miss some of the twist and turn.
Comment by ashes — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 @ 2:34 pm
I really want to watch this show but my poor grasp of the Chinese language is preventing me from fully appreciating it. Every 5 mins or less, I need to pause the player to slowly read the subtitles and even then, I can’t get most of the words right. So now, watching it very slowly, and even so, must have MM ard to help translate.
DR: Ya, this one must read the subtitles carefully cos once some lines are missed, might not get the full plot. M/o a lot of banking and finance jargons. Try http://www.s-projects.org. I know they do English subs. But you must be registered to log in.
Comment by domestic rat — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 @ 4:18 pm
Oh then you should catch ‘Love And Honour’ starring Takuya as a blind samurai. He wons awards for his great talent in acting for this.
msff: Ya, wanted to catch that but the timing was not right. Now have to wait for DVD. But my understanding is that he didn’t win any awards for that role. He got nominated but his talent agency Johnny Entertainment turned down the nom…
Comment by msfairface — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 @ 5:34 pm
My Chinese is pretty atrocious … do these serials come with English subtitles?
Loong: The DVDs usually come in Chinese subs. If you want Eng subs, you got to go to the web. Check out the website I gave to Domestic Rat in my reply to her.
Comment by Loong — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 @ 7:11 pm
Can’t wait to watch this!! Btw, would it be easier to carelessly hook the Gatsby promo stands at Watsons for a start? Heh..
Jes: Hehehe…I was eyeing that too…but a bit difficult to unhook leh. I think must use scissors…
Comment by Jes — Tue, 5 Jun 2007 @ 10:03 pm
Series?
Don’t think I have time.
I remember once you recommended a show with him as a samurai.. I went and search for it.. ended up buying a wrong one.
ZM: Haha…ya I remember. The movie is Love and Honour but the DVD is still not widely available yet.
Comment by zara's mama — Wed, 6 Jun 2007 @ 11:13 am
oooh.. a new movie for me to follow..
Irene: It’s a 10-espisode drama. Do watch it if you can get your hands on it.
Comment by Irene — Wed, 6 Jun 2007 @ 3:32 pm
I cried loads watching the last episode too! Didn’t expect such a twist in the ending.
TK’s as fabulous as ever, isn’t he?!
Glad you enjoyed it.
DT: Hey thanks again! Really great drama. On that tragic twist, I just couldn’t help but burst out loud. Too painful…
Comment by DT — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 @ 1:00 pm
Hello there, found your web site through a rec of a friend. I totally agree with your review on Karei and Takuya’s performance. He really is showing his acting skills in this one, and in Bushi no Ichibun (Love & Honour) too.
Thank you.
Una: Yep, he’s really maturing as an actor in terms of his acting skills…
Comment by Una — Sat, 7 Jul 2007 @ 5:42 am
[...] Gosh. He remembers the opening scene from Karei-naru Ichizoku! [...]
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