Fan reviews: Golden Bowl

jdoramadotcom · 9 Jul 2011

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.

ester_grace · 29 Nov 2010

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

Shindou · 20 Jul 2008

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!!

Wynter · 19 Oct 2007

Although there is a lot of plot action right in the first episode, I found Golden Bowl really hard to get into. It wasnft until the third episode where things started to pick up for me, and finally by episode five I was an eager watcher.

The whole gbowlingh concept is really abstract. I like how the drama revolves around the characters that hang out at this bowling alley, but really the sport of bowling is just an excuse to play with the characters. The bowling alley could easily be replaced by a bar, or a park, or another sport, etc. Its link to the overall plot is weak and serves only as a location.

The plot revolving around the characters, however, is very interesting and mysterious. Youfre never quite given the whole picture for each character, and therefore you need to watch carefully in order to collect all the pieces. I like that about this drama, and it helped me look over the uselessness of the bowling element.

The love story is one the best Ifve seen. It was slow in coming but very developed in its slowness. Hitomi and Takeshi were very convincing and I stopped watching the gactorsh and actually believed the characters to be real. The casting for the supporting cast was well done and I was impressed with how naturally they all worked together.

annatasia · 20 Jun 2007

luv this drama! the chemistry between Takeshi and Hitomi was great and i really enjoy watching them having good conversation, the acting looks natural and they bowl like a pro! every character in this drama really support each others. at time i feel each episode too short especially when the story getting hotter.. such a sweet and enjoy drama.. makes me smile all the way and like the obasan said, if there's some1 like Akutagawa beside me, i'm sure go for him!

missida · 8 Feb 2007

Takeshi being so boyish? Funny? Charming? A teaser? Insanely naive and loyal? = Make-you-feel-good-kind-of-drama to watch after a long tiring day :)

Overall, if you can accept this drama as a light entertainment by not being too critical about how the society views this sort of relationships etc, you can easily notice how the casts are convincing and be able to sense the chemistry all over "Golden Bowl".

Another must-watch drama if you are a die-hard fan of Takeshi :P

ctie1992 · 14 May 2006

i watched tis dram at channel U!!i luv it n enjoyed it so much!!

rinarina · 2 Mar 2006

The story was about bowling and about people's problems, yeah even though it's happy ending I don't like it. I prefer Takeshi play with a younger women than the older women, Japan make younger men-older women love story as a trend and I really don't like it (except Long vacation, because the story is really good). Beside Takeshi acted quite bad in this drama. Also this drama is quite boring.

If you like Takeshi you may watch this drama, but if you don't like this kind of love story (younger men-older women) then don't see it.

lovejdorama · 28 Mar 2005

Not your usual love story or none sense comedy, this drama has a witty interpretation for a romance developement btn 2 unlikely bowling parters and how each struggles to overcome emotional obstacles. Every episode ends with a bowling competition that escalates to higher challenge level, you don't need to love bowling to appreciate this drama. Last episode is the best & most fun to watch!! And Kaneshiro Takeshi has never looked cuter!

Fyxyse · 16 Jan 2005

I like the fact that in this story, Shu does not really care about Hitomi's age. They are a very sweet couple !! Kaneshiro and Hitomi has shown a very natural chemistry. Their combination really works. As for the story, it was very enjoyable. I re-watched it several times XD Also, i really like the theme song. It matched perfectly with the competition mood

joy_starz · 13 Oct 2004

Great show!!! Especially Takeshi's bowling's real GOOD!!! & when he throws out the golden bowl!!! Real HANDSOME!!! his love & passion for bowling really thrills me!!! & of course his person!!! SHOULD WATCH!!!

juliana_phang · 25 Jul 2004

don't like the chemistry between kaneshiro & kuroki hitomi.
and it's all about bowling.. competitions.. = boring

cass_dust · 27 Jun 2004

i think most people bought the show because of kaneshiro.. me too! the show is rather funny.. and kaneshiro is soo cool is the show, esp. when he bowls.. chuu kakoii

at first thought that kuroki is a bit too old for kaneshiro.. but she is rather good in acting and very very cute in the show..

the story is simple and comical.. full points for the leads.

Baka Senpai · 26 Apr 2004

funny, lighthearted, drama on relationships and boooowling...most of teh characters were interesting and teh settin at an actual alley is refreshing as well...predictable but still pretty enjoyable...

FierceStriker · 12 Mar 2004

An accident caused by destiny but made dreams come true - that's what this drama is all about. Take a quick glance, nothing seems too extraordinary, another shobu drama, another love story, HOWEVER, never have I such a drama done so well, and soooo moving. The love in Golden Bowl in stronger than those specifc love dramas. You really get to see how the bond builds and truly hope for them to be together. The two leads are excellent Shu-chan and Hitomi-chan, both are charismatic and they have such excellent dynamics with each other!!! Highly highly recommended. It is predictable yes, but predictable in the fact that you will definitely be moved beyond your expectation.

Gundam-Freedom · 2 Mar 2004

if you like bowling and Japan together this the show for you, the stroy is good too but a bit werid may need watch it a few times to understand it, Takeshi fans and bowling addicted must watch this show

Hiro Toyo · 2 Dec 2003

One of the best dramas ever. It's amazing how the writer can use bowling as a background to convery points about life. There's a message in every episode, and the whole story ties in very nicely. It was touching, funny, thought-provoking, and really well thought out. The characters were great and really fit the mood of the drama well. It's a must see!

dys199 · 30 Oct 2003

Like everything about this dorama but the bowling. The bowling matches at the end of each episode just made thw hole dorama boring because you knew that they were going to win. But i liked the storyline stuff that happened when they were not at the bowling ally. A good dorama if it took out the boring bowling stuff.

zbl · 12 Sep 2003

have not finished the series yet but from what i had watched, i find it very entertaining. with such a name, i thot it was the typical, has crisis -> solve crisis type of drama with a bit of romance thrown into the mix. in my opinion, the emphasis seems to be more on the non-bowling type of stuff but rather on the lives of the bowlers. the characterization is there and the story line. i cannot wait to see how it ends...but from what i had seen, i think it is a very impressive dorama.

astargatis · 11 Sep 2003

Well first, the discription by the site is a little off. The Hitomi that's the famale lead is not the same Hitomi that the Male lead was in love with, unless something major happens later in the story that I don't know of (I'm at ep. 3). Still guessing it's wrong though since she's older than he is in the story (and in real life I presume).

It's a great, funny story... every ep does seem to have a bowling contest at the end, so be prepared... there's a lot of bowling and banter. Still it's one of the most enjoyable dramas I've seen in a good while.