Hana Yori Dango the Movie

this video is adapted from veoh.com (NO english subs)

Hana Yori Dango the movie is the finale of the hugely popularized drama adaptation of the original hit manga series by Yoko Kamio. This movie is based on a girl called Makino Tsukushi, who comes from a lower-middle class family, attends Eitoku Academy, an elite school which caters to children of the rich, upper-crust of society in Japan. The school is ruled by F4, four boys whose parents contributed the most money, and in turn, they are given free rein in school. Sparks ignite when Domyouji Tsukasa, leader of F4 takes an interest in Makino, because she is the only girl in school who does not bow down to him. After facing many obstacles, both characters are finally together. The finale is centered on a major incident that the five main characters (Makino, F4) become involved in, whilst depicting the ups and downs of the relationship between Makino and Domyouji.

In my opinion, the plot was a little unbelievable. Based on the heirloom called “Venus Smile” where there were four priceless jewels on the tiara, Makino and Domyouji were tested on their mutual trust and bonds of each other. The style and delivery of the speech were at most times informal; sometimes meant to please, persuade and scold, depending on the situation. At several times in the film, Makino or other members of F4 was instructing Domyouji on his use of language because of his bad puns and poor use of Japanese language. In this film, the vigorous style (based on pathos) was used because it was eloquent and emotional. Persuasive appeal of one’s character or credibility was also applied; in the case of Makino accusing Hanazawa Rui (one of the members of F4) to be in cahoots with the burglar who stole the heirloom because she had seen the former conversing and even shaking hands with the burglar. Idols of the cave where special allegiance to discipline was addressed when Domyouji wanted to bet $50 million in order to raise money to get back the heirloom, while Makino; because of her upbringing, wanted to play it safe and bet in small amounts, so they would not lose everything at one go.

In the end, Makino and Domyouji found out that the other members of the F4 and their parents were in cahoots all along, and that there was no such family heirloom. They just wanted to make sure that Makino and Domyouji would not have doubts about their marriage, through the obstacles that were decreed for them. In order to overcome all this, they discovered that they needed to trust mutually; because love would not be enough, strengthen their bonds, depend on each other’s strengths and dispel any miscommunication that existed between each other. Above all, the film also deepens the friendship bond between the members of F4 and Makino.