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"Long Vacation" More at IMDbPro »

9 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Better than perfection!, 1 June 2003

Author: Pro Jury

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

The romantic drama series LONG VACATION was shown in the USA on the International Channel (now AZN TV) a few years back. The series is set in Japan and centers on two Japanese classical pianists, who strive to join the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the many friends they meet along the way. The series is also about loneliness, shyness and finding, and not finding, romantic love. THE LONG VACATION is the unforgettable "merry-go-round" love story of Sena and Minami.

Unlike American television series, Japanese dramas are only about 12 episodes long. These dramas tell a complete story with a beginning, a middle and an end. And they are unlike American dramas in other ways.

The LONG VACATION was wildly popular in Japan. The Long Vacation soundtrack, consisting of cool J-pop and classical music (including the final episode's emotional Rachmaninoff 18th Variation from Rhapsody on theme of Paganini op. 43), was released as a 5 CD box set. Beyond the CD box set were single CD's, piano sheet music, books, and other items all stemming from only the music from the series. Much thought and effort is put into making a Japanese drama begin with a musical bang. The popular opening theme to THE LONG VACATION is case and point.

When the series aired, its stars lived at the top of Japanese popularity polls. Studying classical piano became hip. Sociologists report that the series single-handedly made it fashionable for a young Japanese man to marry a woman of an older age.

The Long Vacation has a great visual vocabulary, nice acting, world class popular and classic music, suspense-filled pacing and touching characters -- an unforgettable roller coaster story brimming with emotion-filled love triangles. The first episode is rather slow, but what follows is dynamite. Episode after episode, we suffer and thrill though the confusion that is love.

There are many scenes in the Long Vacation where Sena and Minami are each alone feeling very lonely.

A sample...

The camera frames each of them alone in a room with a phone in the foreground.

Sena and a phone.

Minami and a phone.

So many times something will happen with Sena and his phone. Or something will happen with Minami and her phone. But NEVER what we want to see happen.

In the middle of the series there comes a time when Sena is alone sitting on his couch, and Minami is alone sitting on her couch, and somehow they are finally talking to each other on the phone.

And very slowly we see the image of Minami on her couch partially dissolve into the image of Sena on his couch until each image is equally blended into the other so it looks like Sena and Minami are sitting together on the same ghostly couch.

Even though the LONG VACATION was made with slick visual style and hip music, the feelings and the emotions throughout are delicate and complicated, and this makes for greater feelings of anticipation as you watch.

The LONG VACATION stars Kimura Takuya, Yamaguchi Tomoko, Matsu Takako, Inamori Izumi, Takenouchi Yutaka, Ryo and Hirosue Ryoko. Along with England's REGGINALD PERRIN & FAWLTY TOWERS, it is an international ***** (5 star) classic television series. THE LONG VACATION is a complete and satisfying love story. Highly recommended.

8 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
A fun romantic comedy!, 24 January 2000
Author: Liz-90 (lizb1979@aol.com) from Japan

One of the most popular Japanese TV dramas both in Japan and among foreign fans. A great ensemble cast lead by romantic leads Takuya Kimura (Japan's resident heart throb) and Tomoko Yamaguchi who is fun and attractive. About a young pianist who hasn't yet learned to mix emotion with art, and an aging model facing the reality of her industry. When Yamaguchi moves into Kimura's apartment-- taking the room left by her fiance who stood her up on her wedding day-- their very different personalities collide. Outspoken and brash meets shy and soft spoken. The scenes that result are classic. It is a rocky road but fun to watch. The rest of the cast: Yutaka, as Yamaguchi's brother a player-- of the piano and by nature; Inamori, as Yamaguchi's flaky but endearing best friend; Matsu, as Kimura's talented piano playing crush/competition. Accompanied by a great soundtrack of original songs by Cagnet. If you are reading this you have probably seen it already or at least heard of it, but if you haven't... it is hard to find but well worth the effort.

4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
A wonderful sweet romantic comedy japanese tv drama., 28 September 2002
Author: khamva from pomona, california

The introduction of the two main characters are fun and builds great chemistry together. The great cast lead by romantic leads Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi. The summary plot of the story is about a young pianist who hasn't yet learned to mix emotion with art, and an aging model facing the reality of her industry. That is all of what I am going to say, I don't want to ruin it for those who have not seen it. But I will assure you that you'll laugh, smile and be heart warmth of the story.

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
A cast with great chemistry!, 26 March 2001
Author: briebrie from Singapore

I only got to watch this drama early this year, but its still relevant and funny almost half a decade later.

I think the reason this drama works is because of the chemistry between Yamaguchi Tomoko and Kimura Takuya. Boisterous vs. shy - that's a good juxtaposition, especially when SHE is the noisy, forward one and HE is the retiring, mild mannered one. In fact I think Yamaguchi Tomoko is a great actress. She's so alive and her enthusiasm is infectious. Izumi Inamori deserves a mention too as the somewhat loony best friend. The women really shine in their roles. But really, it's the overall good casting and the refreshing scenarios that made this drama as engaging as it is.

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