Golden Bowl

Takeshi Kaneshiro can come off seeming so intense that his projects may seem too serious. But there are exceptions. The Hong Kong film CHUNGKING EXPRESS had an almost French, quality in Kaneshiro's part of the movie, contributing at partly to its status as a classic.

GOLDEN BOWL is Japanese, of course, but Kaneshiro plays the role of a salaryman who avoids hanging around with acquaintances at work to bowl at his favorite haunt, the run-down "Golden Bowl." He becomes a bowling partner to Hitomi Kuroki - a charming housewife burdened with marital problems.

From the start, the drama is light and engaging, a disarming tribute to this unfashionable sport. Kaneshiro has been better known for this good looks than his acting, but he's affable enough to make the drama continually engaging. The breezy humor and light mood are a good match with the performers.

GOLDEN BOWL is underrated, but most people who have given it a chance have fallen for its spirit of light humor, and maybe even for its nominal standing as a "sports" drama. Its format is pretty predicable, episode after episode: a personal drama is played out in a climactic bowling match, highlighted by spirited banter between Takeshi and Kuroki.

The cast is likable, but watch out for a supporting role from JPOP starlet Aya Matsuura in an early acting effort, as well an appearance from a young Nanako Matsushima.

There's no good chemistry but it was so fun to saw bowling here.

Weird but comedic storylines and rather illogical plot progressions essentially capture the essence of this jdorama. Strangely enough, a wonderful story between kaneshiro takeshi and kuroki hitomi was woven in and provided for some of the best 'couple' moments in all the jdoramas i've ever watched. Kudos to a golden performance!!