Review: Hakataza Me and My Girl

[matataku_hoshi]

Meep.  I feel bad saying this, but I liked the Daigekijou version better.

It's unfair to compare the Hakataza version to the 2008 Daigekijou version, but at the same time, it's hard not to.  I feel bad saying this, but watching the Hakataza vesion made me realize the things the Daigekijou version did right, and that I had taken for granted before.   The biggest one was the dynamic between Bill, Sally, and Maria.

1. Let's start with Maria in this version, played by Kyou Misa.  Vocally she can't compare to Taki-san, but that wasn't my problem.  When I wrote my Daigekijou "Me and My Girl" review, I complained that while I liked Taki-san's performance, I was tired of her always being typecast into "intimidating matron" roles.  I take that back, and I realize now how crucial Taki-san's interpretation of Maria was to the show.  You believed without even thinking about it that Maria was a very formiddable woman, and going up against her was no small task.  Kyou-san's Maria was more the nagging aunt type, and it was harder for me to believe that she could put so much pressure on Bill and Sally to conform to her ways.

2. The next problem lies with Kiriyan's Bill and Shizuku's Sally.  I'm not sure if the chicken or the egg came first in this case.  On one hand, Shizuku did a different Sally than Mihoko, and I have to respect her for that.  At the same time, I thought that Sally wasn't as believable a character without the spunk that other actresses have given to her.  To be fair, however, Shizuku did a decent "Once You Lose Your Heart" and "Take It On the Chin."

3. As for Kiriyan...okay, now I feel really horrible -_-;  But this wasn't her best performance.  Don't get me wrong, her comedic timing was hillarious, and her singing and dancing were as good as ever.  (I also liked how she changed up a lot of the comedic bits from the way Asako had done them previously).  However, Kiriyan just didn't seem to nail the character of Bill down for many of the dramatic moments.  Her chemistry with Shizuku was okay, but nothing spectacular.  I'm not sure if her lack of lightning-hot chemistry with Shizuku was what caused the problems in her acting, or vice versa.  As I said, it's hard to tell if the chicken or the egg came first.  But all that being said, Kiriyan on a less-than-perfect day is still nothing to sneeze at, so it wasn't like it was a bad performance.  It's just that I know that Kiriyan is capable of more.

All three of these things together brought the show down IMHO.  "Me and My Girl" doesn't work as a show if you don't believe how strongly Bill and Sally want to be together, how incomptaible they are with Hareford, and how strongly Maria wants to wrench them apart.

While I'm complaining, the cast size was obviously down since half of tsukigumi was off doing Gatsby.  The Lambeth Walk had less energy as a result.

Now, on the positive side, Magee was an amazing Parchester (and I'm not just saying that to appease sumire_no_hana  )  Misa Noeru was my favorite part of the Daigekijou version, and worried  that Magee wouldn't be able to compare.  Magee was smart in that her flamboyent Parchester was very different than Maya-san's.  And really, nothing makes me happier than two actresses both doing a performance in very different ways and both of them being excellent.  Her "please turn over" had me rolling on the floor.

Also on the plus side, I liked Sonoka's Sir John.  I don't know what it is about Sonoka, but every time I see her I want to crack up (in a good way).  I like Kiriyan's Daigekijou Sir John a little better if simply for the Kiriyan Insanity she brought to the role, but Sonoka was really, really solid.  I agree with wao_wao   that Sonoka really made her Sir John old man-esque.  This is especially impressive given that Sonoka is only ken-11.

The DVD version has Masaki as Jackie.  Dear God...that girl has probably not shown her legs so much since she was doing rockette dances XD  Every time Masaki is on stage she looks like she's having a lot of fun, and her turn as Jackie was no exception.  She's been together with Kiriyan a lot (Osaka Samurai, Slapstick etc) and you could tell they were comfortable acting with each othe.  "You Would If You Could" (the Jackie seduction number) was one of my favorite moments.  Ai-chan is still my favorite 2008 Jackie, but Masaki was a lot of fun to watch.

Gerald is a boring character, but Mirio was sweet.  (I er...like her better when she's not leaping over many of the upperclassmen I like -_-;)  I also liked Ken Ruisu's Parchester and Otoki Sunao's chief maid.  It was a bit bizarre seeing Mihou Aya as Anastasia Brown, given that she was doing the exact same role she had in the Daigekijou version, only playing off of different actresses.  She's still great, though <3

I worry that this review has come across as too negative.  I prefer the Daigekijou version, but even with its flaws this version was still fun to watch.  "Me and My Girl" is excellent source material and it was fun to see some of my favorite tsukigumisei tackle it, even if they weren't as perfect as previous versions.

 

Comments

[baracilla.livejournal.com]

I think the problem with Kiriyan's Bill might be more of an issue of casting than performance. Kiriyan just wasn't quite the right fit for the character.

Bill is so simpleminded. He's twitchy and flaily and rather childish. So much of the cuteness and romance in the story hinges Bill's adorably stupid, hyperactive, puppy-like personality. Kiriyan has an aura of seriousness and complexity to her that I think prevents her from being a fully convincing airhead.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

I really like the way you put it, and I think that makes sense.

I guess the part that distresses me is that Kiriyan is a very good actress, and I'm usually really, really impressed with her range. But I guess even for a good actress there are certain roles that you're just not fit for.

When (and I am saying when) Kiriyan becomes top, I'm hoping Hankyu doesn't give her white hat roles. Kiriyan does better when she gets something a little quirkier IMO.

[just-keep-on.livejournal.com]

I think it was probably a good thing for Kiriyan to be cast as Bill if only to show what she shouldn't do, especially when it's directly compared to Asako. Kiriyan's awesome; she just doesn't have that off-the-cuff mischievousness, that constant hovering of a little boy smirk that Asako has. For me, and this echoes baracilla's comment above, Kiriyan's such a good actor and puts so much thought and focus into everything she does that a carefree role like Bill seems forced. She does well in a complex, intricate role where she can fully explore the character's emotions (having insane little quirks also helps too ^_^). I think it'll be very interesting to see what roles she gets as top; complex roles combined with her amazing voice? I'm just hoping my bank account will be able to survive~

(I know, this is turning into a horribly long comment, but I already started so ...)

Thanks for the review; I don't think it came off negative - the reader just had to be familiar with the Daigekijyou version. Taki-san ;__; Gosh, that woman is amazing. What is she up to? And yes, Me & My Girl is definitely a show where it's crucial that the leads have good chemistry since it centers around their relationship. *takes a moment to sigh over the gone Asako/Mihoko combi* Tangent: I've always liked Me & My Girl because although they're already in love when the show begins, it feels like they've fallen in love all over again by the end ^__^

Although I was wavering about getting the Hakataza because of Kiriyan's Bill, I wanted to get it anyway simply because it was different. And you know, Masaki!Jackie XDD I'm also hoping to jump on the Sonoka bandwagon once I'm able to watch her as Sir John.

Thanks again for the review~ And my apologies for my long winded comment -_-;

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

Don't apologize! I love long-winded comments <3

I think it'll be very interesting to see what roles she gets as top; complex roles combined with her amazing voice? I'm just hoping my bank account will be able to survive~

I'm really hoping they give her some villainous, Touko-esque roles. I'm worried about her getting a lot of white hat roles, but then again 9/10 times she manages to make the characters that are boring on paper interesting (ie. Gustav Eiffel in PariSora).

Taki-san ;__; Gosh, that woman is amazing. What is she up to?

I'm happy to report that she had a dinner show and recently finished starring in a musical with some other OGs.

[just-keep-on.livejournal.com]

I'm really hoping they give her some villainous, Touko-esque roles.

That would be in-freaking-credibly awesome.

Now we have to *not* pine for it in hopes that reverse psychology will work on Hankyu...

[baracilla.livejournal.com]

For keeping track of Taki-san...

Website: http://www.iis-ai.ne.jp/

Blog: http://izumoaya.exblog.jp/

[just-keep-on.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Thanks!

[sumirepanther.livejournal.com]

Actually I haven't seen the Hakataza version yet, but I pretty much enjoyed reading your review.
What makes your comments intriguing for me is that your view makes a good contrast to a friend mine's opinion who went to Fukuoka to see the show. She told me she liked Kiriyan's Bill better than Asako's portrayal because Kiriyan brought more depth to the character. And she said she was much moved by Kyou/Maria - Kiriyan/Bill interaction. Both of you agree on one point though, -about Shizuku.
I hope I will be watching the Hakataza M&MG some time soon (yeah, I'll wait for a Sky Stage broadcast) and see what I think of it.

While Kiriyan was struggling with Bill in Hakata-za, Asako screwed up Gatsby in Nissay Theater by playing out the role with complacent shallowness. They should have switched the roles, maybe. (Hmm...I should write a review on that Nissay show...)

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

What makes your comments intriguing for me is that your view makes a good contrast to a friend mine's opinion who went to Fukuoka to see the show.

Well, different strokes for different folks. I'm glad to hear that your friend enjoyed the show, since it means that her performance appealed to some non-Kiriyan fanatics.

While Kiriyan was struggling with Bill in Hakata-za, Asako screwed up Gatsby in Nissay Theater by playing out the role with complacent shallowness. They should have switched the roles, maybe.

Huh, interesting. Sometimes Asako really nails her dark/angsty characters, and sometimes she just looks bored. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[demoneyeskyo87.livejournal.com]

Kiriyan phoning in, :(

I guess usually a factor of an off night or as one mentioned that the role wasn't meant for Kiriyan.


This is one performance I have yet to see but its not on the top priorities of DVD shopping at the moment I'm afraid.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say Kiriyan was phoning in. She was putting effort into the role, but it just wasn't a good fit IMO.

[bluerevue.livejournal.com]

Rrrrrrgh. This DVD is niggling at me, and every time I read a review or an opinion of it the niggling feeling is confirmed. I know I desperately want to see it because of my beloved Sonoka and Masaki... . And yet I know the bits that aren't them will probably disappoint me a little bit. Conundrum!

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'd say get whatever other DVDs you've been really pining for first, and then buy a used copy of this one. You're a tsukigumi fan, so it's probably worth getting eventually.