Uôtâzu

I wasn't going to watch this movie at first. The idea of guys try to make a host club didn't appeal to me. Then I saw that Shun Oguri was in it and knew I had to watch.

I wasn't expecting The Full Monty like the another poster seemed to be. The plot centered around them becoming hosts-which is akin to a gigolo-not strippers.

It was sweet. I liked how the characters evolved a little. There were no drastic changes just subtle ones. The men-and the women-start to value friends a little more. One even realizes that her friends didn't change as much as she thought they did.

Overall a sweet and pleasant movie.

I had no expectations before watching this film. Obstensibly, its about seven guys who become hosts in a club after being conned of their money by an unscrupulous owner. The two main characters, Ryohei, a street performer, and Minako, who runs a venture capital company, cross paths. I like these two together, they both seem to have heart. The film gets sentimental at times, and its a case of "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". At about the 90 minute mark, I'd give this film 9 stars. I won't and can't give away what happens in the last 16 minutes, because I can't understand it. The film just falls apart. Its just bizarre to me. I would have liked to see more of Minako (Hitomi Manaka). Without being a major beauty, she played the character earnestly and is probably the best part of the film. She was better than the 7 hosts. I don't know, it should have..I can't say. I do recommend it, but find it a total letdown, ultimately. I give it 6 stars for keeping me interested through most of it.

If this movie is a gauge of how Japanese movies are heading towards, then I really worry for the industry. Come to think of it, what has happened to the Japanese movie and television industry? Taken over by Korean movies? Seven young men who are desperate for money audition to be "hosts" of a pub. Therefore, by definition, they are NOT gigolos, or even wannabes. Their job is to entertain lonely female patron with drinks and talk.

If you think Full Monty, you are somewhat wrong. I was expecting such slick dances, embarrassing moments, or at least something funny. They only seem to have 5 customers throughout the whole movie, and their only job is to work towards pleasing them.

I do not mind that the cast is made up of a group of B-list unknown actors and actresses. There is so much potential for this, but it's wasted by the lame script and the never-ending ending (Pun not intended.) Would it even attract the pink dollar? I do not think so.