Mama Haha Bugi

The 1980s drama has lots of cartoonish, exaggerated slapstick that can grate a little, but ultimately the silliness, like in a sitcom, directs us toward a message about the rewards of reaching out towards other people. Yes, it's sappy, but in a begrudgingly charming way.

The plot isn't exactly the most tightly written to come out of the TBS factory. There are times, for example, when the story gets lost in indecipherable rants. But the drama does have its moments, including a nice showcase of Oda Yuji's talents playing emotionally distant but ultimately decent men. Mama Haha Boogie also serves as a fine reminder of Asano Atsuko's comedic talent, oft forgotten today in her more recent roles as stern, no-nonsense women (101 Marriage Proposal, Coach). If you haven't seen it, try to find some of her work in the Abunai Keiji series. She's a little shrill and yes, very ditzy, but no one can play the endearing airhead quite the way she does.

I will say that one strange element in this series is the not-so-subtle sexual tension between Ranko and Makoto. Atsuko and Oda always have an interesting chemistry together onscreen and this only added to the drama's implications that stepmom and stepson would be a more passionate pair than stepmom and dad. Interestingly enough, it was just four years later when the two actors would play star-crossed lovers in the tv drama "Subarashiki na jinsei" (1993).