DORAMA WORLD

Kitagawa Eriko does NOT mess around...



BEAUTIFUL LIFE **** _ Kimura Takuya, Tokiwa Takako _ It's a tragic love dorama _ by the end of the first episode, you can tell where it's all going. So it's the journey that counts _ and writer Kitagawa Eriko has one doramatic ride in store. It starts out strong _ Tsuji the hairdresser and wheelchair-bound Kyoko meet cute, overcome their issues _ it's art for him; trust for her _ before getting together.

But the show starts to drag in the second act when they introduce needless challenges for the couple _ it's not that I don't like a little argument and conflict with ex's for dorama's sake _ they just added little to the relationship. I thought we already made it past their issues _ especially Kyoko's handicap-confidence problem _ in the first act. It's also here the chemistry between Kimutaku and Tokiwa Takako unravel _ maybe it's because they don't have much to do other than fight until the third act kicks-in over the brilliant last 3 1/2 episodes.

The last extended episode packs a lot of dorama goodness _ among them, one of the most touching makeover sessions ever commited to television. Some stuff should've played out in the middle to better endear the couple to the audience before the inevitable end. Still, the treatment fits the show's theme of quality-not-quantity.

I need another long break from heavy dorama...the next show'll be Taiho Shichauzo (You're Under Arrest!) with Hara Sachie _ the girl with a heart condition in Beach Boys _ and otaku dream girl Itoh Misaki from Densha Otoko. I just wonder what Kitagawa plotted for Orange Days _ that youth/disability dorama with Battle Royale hottie Shibasaki Kou...