Shiroi haru

Shiroi haru (White spring) is an interesting, and warming enough drama, that, as with many Japanese TV series, brings a triple dose of cheese to the proceedings. Anything, like really, anything, if it makes you cry.

Hiroshi Abe, a really tall, and quite good Japanese actor, and who sports a very interesting make-up in this movie which makes him look like a zombie throughout the length of the drama, plays an ex-con named Sakura Haruo who gets released after eight years in prison. He was convicted for killing a man, but we soon learn that he did it so he could get some money for his girlfriend, who was ill. We soon learn also that: the girlfriend is dead, they had a baby, who is a girl and lives with a guy that the girlfriend of Sakura married before dying, and that this guy owns a little bakery. The daughter doesn't know anything about his father, and neither does Sakura know about the girl. But of course, destiny makes them to meet, and to become friends, and the ex- convict learns to open up, be a good person, and help others.

The obsession of the kid with her real father, which of course she doesn't know he is, is played quite well, and we accept that they become friends and that he enters her life. What is more difficult to accept are many other decisions that they take during the drama to add tension, tears and that turns the series into a big soap opera. Japanese TV series have this problem, and Shiroi Haru doesn't run away from it; on the contrary, it embraces and enhances it.

The actors all do a great job. Many of them appear in many other Japanese TV series or movies, so you will be familiar with them. The girl, who could be obnoxious, does a good enough job, and is only annoying a couple of times. The direction and the plot, as said, goes for the tear, so prepare some tissues.

Otherwise it is a small, nice, little lovely drama, that isn't interested in breaking new ground.

Shiroi Haru had great overall acting, but poor directing. Abe Hiroshi is an outstanding drama actor, my favorite performance in a drama of 2009. The supporting cast was good as well, complementing Abe Hiroshi perfectly. Yoshitaka Yuriko is one of my favorite young actresses (I have to admit, I was first drawn to Shiroi Haru because of her) and she was so charismatic in her role. The story was heartwarming, and so was Ohashi Nozomi (better known as the girl who sings the Ponyo song!), who played a girl mysteriously drawn to Abe Hiroshi's character. At times a bit too weepy when it didn't need to be, the story line remained strong throughout the drama.

Something that irked me about the drama was its sub-par cinematography (which is to be expected in a drama, but there are exceptions). Too many awkwardly angled views of Abe Hiroshi's face, and some strangely lit shots. I don't remember the music as being spectacular, but it complemented the drama quite well. This drama deserves to be watched.