Reviews

I came across this movie through reviews on Netflix expressing how heartbreaking and overwhelming the movie was, which, of course, grabbed my attention. I'm a sucker for tragedies based around historical events. Now, I haven't watched many Chinese movies. Actually, this is probably the first one I've watched since Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.. which shouldn't even count, since I was probably 5 when that movie was in theaters lol So with that said, my opinion of this movie will not be biased.

The story-line alone can capture the attention of any audience. If you were in the mother's shoes, who would you save? Your son, or your daughter? Is it even worth it to save one of them, if the other will die? Those questions naturally repeat over and over again in your mind as you watch the movie.

The child actress who played the abandoned daughter was the highlight of the entire movie. I think this was one of her first acting gigs, which is absolutely incredible, because I think that she nailed the role of that character... The kid was so captivating, I couldn't help but feel disappointed when the older actress (of the same role) appeared on screen. This is a good example of a drama where the child actress pwns their adult counterpart (like in Moon Embracing the Sun).

Also worth mentioning, is the actress who played the mother in the movie. The heartbreak and repentance you saw from this character is what kept the movie consistent after the time jump.

Overall, the movie kept my attention most of the way through. It got kind of mediocre as it went into the older years of the daughter's life. It might have just been my lack of interest in that actress (who I recognized from Rush Hour 3), but of course it gradually got better towards the ending. I definitely think that it is worth watching all the way through. The final scenes of the movie are very touching.

Oh, I should also touch on the movie's special effects.. which could be considered the same level as 2012 or any other recent Hollywood apocalyptic film. It was very nice! And I think that this movie was one of China's first large-scale 3D movies as well.. A well-deserved masterpiece!

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One of those rare occasions where, at least to me, the special is better than the drama. The upside to this is that, as it takes place several years before the events of the drama, it can be watched as an entirely separate entity. It seems highly under-rated.

Story: 10/10- The story for this is truly touching. Even supporting characters have a real depth to their own back stories, and the emotional journey taken by Yoshiie is tremendous. There's also just the right amount of humour to balance out some of the more heavy scenes.

Acting: 10/10- The acting is this is fantastic on all parts. Yo Kimiko and Sakurai Sho especially played the respective parts of a patiently struggling teacher and her most troublesome student amazingly well- there are some scenes acted by these two which I personally couldn't tear my eyes from.

Music: 8/10- I'm not very good at recalling soundtracks etc, but to my recollection all of the music in this was nicely done and fitted the atmosphere well.

Re-watch value: 9/10- I myself have already re-watched this special at least twice I believe (and some scenes several times), so the only reason I didn't give this a full ten was because other people may not feel quite the same way.

Overall: 9/10- The only reason I didn't give this a perfect score is because I don't do so unless a drama is practically perfect. This comes close (a 9.7 on my own scoring system), but it doesn't quite reach a 10.0 standard. Altogether, though, it's an absolutely amazing watch. Although a certain scene did have me cringing somewhat... (I'll leave it to you to find out why though :P)

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The whole moral of the story is enjoyable yet a little heart breaking at times too. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the beginning! unlike other dramas there was no boring parts that made me want to stop watching. Although it is quite a frustrating drama at some points the the Fresh Men can always make you smile!
the only reason I gave the story an 8 was because the ending left some a few unanswered questions... :( who knows? may be they plan to make a second season? but I definitely wasn't satisfied with the ending. BUT DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU FROM WATCHING THIS GREAT DRAMA.

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Based more on the original poem/story of Mulan than Disney version. She does join the army in place of her father, but we see how it affects her. She deals with death and grief and fear and killing. We get the real Mulan that went to war for over a decade.

This a realistic movie, slightly dark tone because there is a lot of death, but it's the kind of movie that hurts so good. You will cry and then continue crying but you won't end up feeling depressed or sad. The story is fulfilling as we get to see Mulan grow and accept life as a soldier and the many different ways there are to be a hero. Vicki Zhou is wonderful as Mulan, and we don't spend a lot of time with the other characters, but we don't really need it. This is Mulan's story and it reflects that in the screen time given to our other characters. The music really helps finish the atmosphere.

There are parts that really got to me where I was sobbing but the situations were caused by war and so our characters have to deal with it. They act nobly and I was completely satisfied until the very end. As long as you don't question how they never notice she is a girl, you'll enjoy it.

I know I will end up watching it again. For when you feel like crying this is a great option. Hua Mulan truly transforms and even if you know how it ends you can still appreciate the sacrifices of our characters. I know the same scenes will still effect me in the same way.

A bit spoilery but not if you know the story of Mulan. The original version has her just returning home. This plot has a romance but they forced it into a bad ending. They continued on the noble character arc for Mulan where she just wants to take care of her father. Again this is the writers fault for wanting the dramatic hero, but it fits with the characters even though the other option would have been possible. So, I was a bit irritated, but for the sake of a better story it fits to have the drama, but I was annoyed because they built it up and left me hanging.

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The thing I appreciate the most about Japanese shows in general, is that they can tell a good story without much of an eventful plot to build it upon. They play with narrative style and they excel in delicacy.

I'm not implying Saikou no Jinsei has got no plot, but it's not the kind one would run to watch and sit through with bathed breath. This is the story of a family, of their little and big trials. But most of all it tells of what it means to shoulder responsibility for the people we care for.
I may just as well confess that I started this because I wanted to stare at Yamapi. He's a pleasure for the eye in general, but there's a tangible improvement in his acting skill too. I grew very fond of him and all the main characters. I like it when details and hints are rationed slowly, because that's what happens in real life too: we are presented with a family picture, and bit by bit we are offered glimpses of who they are and where they are going.

The whole cast did a brilliant job, and I found myself with moisture in my eyes more than once. I was impressed by Yamashita's ability to convey his feelings here, and I was entertained by his relationship with both his family and Yuki-chan. It also amazes me that I managed to laugh a lot more often than what is expected by the general atmosphere.

I didn't like the music at all. Not only it isn't my cup of tea, I also thought it was very unfitting now and then. Luckily though, it does not overpower the dialogues or the scenes, and it can therefore be overlooked.

Rewatch value is not too high, but if you like family dramas and touching plots, you may give this one a try.

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I wanted to watch this because of Seung Ho even tho the plot seemed intriguing it wasnt the main reason why I wanted to watch it. I AM SO GLAD I WATCHED IT!! It's a movie that makes you think about people with disability and introduces various emotions through the acting and music. It touches the problems with society and I really enjoyed it!! MUST WATCH!

Story: for me the story was really different and unique. A blind person's testimony versus a normal person's testimony. Which do you trust? I felt the story was really well written. It was intense, exciting, heartwarming and thrilling. I loved and hated the baddie at the same time because he was beautifully performed but what he did was creepy, chilling and ever so hateful!

Acting: The dog alone should get an Oscar, she was just brilliant and beautiful! Once again Seung Ho shows us his brilliant acting skills, although he has played a troubled teen before the acting and character he played this time was different and I thoroughly enjoyed watching his character grow. Also the chemistry with Ha Neul worked well. Standing ovation for Ha Neul tho! She did an excellent job, you felt her pain and sadness plus her fear. She did a really good job - in You're My Pet she didnt realy stand out and her character was a bit flat so in this movie I was really impressed!! The acting was really touching I cried many times throughout the whole film. The acting really pulls you in and I thought the actors did an excellent job in expressing the emotions and it sucked me into that world. Before I knew it I was rooting for the leads, becoming really protective of the characters (I wanted to kill the stalker myself!!) so if a film has such effect it's bound to be good. 

Casting: there was no problem with the casting I thought everyone was perfect for the role. And as i mentioned earlier Ha Neul didnt seem fit at first but she pulled the role off really well. 

Music: the music accompanied each scene perfectly. It effectively made the scenes tense and thrilling, sad and heartbreaking. The music made me on the edge of my seat and at the same time curl up in my duvet because it was frightening plus the acting I felt like I was part of it. 

Overall: I would definitely watch this again. It provokes a variety of emotions pulling you into the movie. The acting was superb and the story was well written and developed. The only downside would be the ending, I loved the ending but I would have liked to see more! 

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You know a drama's good when it makes you cry. You know it's excellent when it turns you into a snivelling wreck every single episode. Thus, my main issue with Mother was what it cost me in Kleenex.

The most devastating thing about this drama (and there are a fair few to choose from) is that you know there's no way it can end happily. It's very premise sets it up to have at best a bittersweet ending.It is extremely well written in this respect, and believable throughout. I found myself truly invested in the characters and the storyline, desperately hoping both Nao and Reina could find safety and happiness on a more permanent basis than constantly being on the run.

I would now spend a paragraph picking apart the faults of this drama, except I'm rather convinced it doesn't have them. Everything from the acting (Ashida Mana may have become my favourite child actor of all time through this drama) to the movie-esque quality to the filming records it down as a must-watch in my book. It truly is once watched, never forgotten.

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