Dear Friends (2007) watch online HD

Actress Keiko Kitagawa has starred in many film and TV roles, and through the course of her short career, she is unquestionably most acknowledged for her role as Sailor Mars in the hit "Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon" Japanese television drama. Through the successful venture that was "Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon", Keiko Kitagawa has become an increasingly popular actress who has had minor roles in such international films as "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift". With her career blossoming, Keiko Kitagawa has landed her first main role in Kazuyuki Morosawa's "Dear Friends", a story that details the true meaning of friendship.

"Dear Friends" follows the exploits of Japanese high school student Rina (Keiko Kitagawa), whose increasingly malevolent behavior affects those close to her. She parties frequently, shows total disregard for her parents, and believes friends are just people "to use and dispose of". In fact, the opening scenes of "Dear Friends" showcase her twisted philosophy quite well; after one of Rina's friends discovers Rina has slept with her boyfriend, Rina is then questioned about her the motive behind the heinous act in which she promptly proclaims to her friend that "friends are to be used". But, all it not entirely well with physically well with Rina. When she periodically begins to show signs of sickness, she is taken into the doctor only to discover that she has cancer. With no one to support her through the ordeal, Rina slowly begins to discover the importance of friendship through visiting classmate Maki (Yuika Motokariya), who arrives unannounced to support Rina through her hardships.

"Dear Friends"—conceptually—is a film that portrays a meaningful attachment to the word "friendship". Numerous people think they have "friends", but do these people we accompany really deserve the title of being called a "friend"? The protagonist in "Dear Friends" is a confused individual, who like many people, is so infatuated with their own endeavors and selfish tendencies, fail to see how their actions affect themselves and the many individuals around them. When Rina rejects the many offers of genuine friendships that are presented to her throughout the film, it is not only the person she quickly rejects, but also her own willingness to accept emotional growth. Repeatedly throughout "Dear Friends" this is showcased, hinting around that Rina is a metaphor for one's illusion regarding what is true friendship—and what is not. Always running to individuals that "please" her rather than truly look out for her best interests, Rina is totally flabbergasted when her classmate Maki considers her a "friend". It's through her astonishment that she begins to find her true self and as well as true friends.

Director Kazuyuki Morosawa shoots "Dear Friends" exceptionally well. There are scenes within "Dear Friends" that he able to deliver an effective cause and effect to the screen—showcasing the frustration and mental anguish that Rina is portraying at the moment. Similarly, Keiko Kitagawa delivers a great performance as the emotionally detached Rina as well Yuika Motokariya who portrays her helpful and caring classmate Maki. Overall great performances.

In the end, "Dear Friends" is film that reconsiders the true essence of genuine friendship. The film does falter somewhat in its execution (specifically towards its conclusion) as well as become a little cliché in attempting to portray certain situations that arise in the film. But, "Dear Friends" does convey a strong message of friendship and willingness for one to change their life for the ultimate better, and that is what makes "Dear Friends" worth a watch.

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A charismatic high school girl with a decidedly rainy day approach to friendship finds just how important connections can be when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness and relegated to a lonely hospital bed. Rina (Keiko Kitagawa: Fast n Furious Tokyo Drift) comes from a dysfunctional family and only contacts her friends in times of need. Her father is completely self-absorbed, and her mother is overprotective to a fault. Much to Rina's relief, a concerned classmate named Maki eventually appears claiming she was a childhood friend.

One day, after discovering that she has a terminal illness, the girl who once viewed her friendships as disposable is forced to sit in her sterile surroundings with nary a friendly soul in sight. Her family is too wrapped up in their own affairs to drop in for a visit, and her friends all realize that she and Rina were good friends back in grade school. When Maki tries to re-connect with her old friend and Rina realizes that she doesn't even remember the friendly girl, it soon becomes apparent just how flawed the philosophy of this fiercely independent teen truly is.

While the film is predictable, it doesn't hinder it from being a touching little piece. Keiko Kitagawa's performance was great, as a new up and coming actress in Japan. Audience will really believe how unmerciful her character can be, and the gradual change of her character's view of companionship towards the film's end.If anything, a narrative flaw on the director's part would be having Maki be concerned of Rina to almost a stalking fan. Even hints of homo sexuality, since they weren't that close in the first place with the enormous sacrifice on Maki's behalf. It just seemed to be case, until halfway through the film when we discover the reason for her almost infatuated care towards Rina. This aside, some shots were dead on delivered, especially scenes with Rina dancing away in the nightclub. With other scenes being hardly accompanied with any background score to heighten the drama, which was disappointing. And one glaringly disjointed narrative which occurs two thrids into the film.

Overall, this is one of the better films to come out of Japan in 2007, and is definitely worth a look. It is as much about teen angst as it about friendship, and what defines a true life companion.

Babe Galore!! This film is fabulous for those who want story, visuals, character development and yes hard bodies. The chicks are all hawt! The girl understands the meaning of friendship, but unfortunately (as part of the story) has to cut her hair. I am surprised films like these exist and a whole bunch of ehem big boned broads have not attacked it and taken it down. Buy this DVD oh heterosexual men who love movies and flaunting pretty thin things. Apparently, women are allowed to be eye candies in Japan. Please bring your culture to Texas!

Dear friends is an emotional movie about friendship and human relationships. Even though it lacked some intensity, the message that it got through was beautiful. Rina discovers the people who trully matter in life when she falls sick and her way of life is changed forever. The ending was a bit rushed and they didn't really explained things through. But the performances were good from both leading ladies. So, six out of ten, for the character development.