And Live

Once again, a very real story from Japan, and it's no wonder it came from the pen of Okada Yoshikazu, because he has a plethora of them. The acting was very good, supported by the steady hand of the director and the cinematography, which at times took it up a level. Especially the moment when Arimura and Sakaguchi's characters meet after some time in Kesennuma and their gazes meet, it makes you feel like you've been punched in the stomach, because there's a lot to take from it. But in the end the absolute best character was Han-chan, a Korean woman who loves to explore the world. She accomplished a lot with her positive attitude and straightforwardness. In the beginning, the two characters fall in love and you really wish for them to work it out, to be happy together. Only it doesn't work out, their relationship fizzles out (they're out of touch) and eventually, through the interplay of events, their lives go elsewhere. And you just want to make it right so they can get back together. But in the end it's very real, all the characters have their motives, they evolve, they stick to what they think will help them, what they think will be good for them. And they don't care that maybe the audience might not like it or might think their own thoughts about them, because they're flesh and blood characters. You don't have to agree with the other person on everything, but you can understand them, and they can be understood if you take the trouble to get to know them. The series was beautiful, touching, and warm and six episodes was just right. (12.04.2021)