To date this is my favorite drama. The story is about three generations in Japan that have grown up since WWII. The two lead characters (Nakama and Kase) are adults but still the youngest members of their families. The scriptwriter portrays each character with warmth and a critical eye revealing both strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, for example the two fathers of the middle generation, you can't tell which parts of their characters is a strength and which is a weakness.

Unlike most dramas that I've seen, all the characters are completely realistic, even the most bizarre. There is not much action in the drama. For me this was no problem because I was so caught up in the characters. The acting was superb especially Nakama Yukie and Kase Ryo.

The script is exquisite. Look for the scene where Kase explains Irish dancing to Nakama. So simple and innocent and such a powerful description of their lives!

This drama is worth watching again and again but one caution. If you need English subtitles make sure they are good. Some of the translations are so bad that it ruins the story. Look for subtitles by Momoflower, she did a wonderful job.

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Nakama Yukie is my favorite actor. She is most famous for her roles in Gokusen (1,2 and 3) and Trick (1, 2 and 3 and movies and specials...) But she has done equally fine work in serious dramas like Utsukushii Rinjin and Arifureta Kiseki (which I have also reviewed).

Utsukushii Rinjin is about two women. Yano Erika, played by Rei Dan, has a happy family life briefly marred by an incident in which she thinks her young son may have drowned. Her life subtly but inexorably changes after Meyer Saki, played by Nakama Yukie, moves in next door.

Rei Dan portrays a devoted wife and mother who is stretched to her emotional limits as her life is gradually pulled out from under her by the mysterious and beautiful neighbor whom she has come to consider a friend. Nakama plays the scheming Meyer Saki in such a way that we are seduced by her beauty at the same time that we are appalled by her actions.

Sometime near the beginning of the two women's friendship, Saki says to Erika something like this: 'If I ever lie to you, you can kill me.' Erika doesn't understand why Saki could say something like that. But those words and Erika's inability to hear their importance, express the underlying conflict between the two women. At the same time it is the closest thing to a plea for help that Saki can make.

The central mystery of the drama is 'What is the bond that both draws these two women together and also pits them against each other?' Are they headed for tragedy or can they save what is most important in their lives?

It is refreshing to see two women play opposite each other as 'protagonist' and 'antagonist.' Both give wonderful performances. Anyone who has seen Nakama only in comedies or light dramas will be astonished at her performance here. Utsukushii Rinjin is a terrific drama -- not exactly enjoyable, more fascinating. And for me it was oddly uplifting.

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