What Is the Story About?
Anna Matsuda (Yonekura Ryoko) is a senior investigative journalist for Toto Newspaper. How she goes to any extent to uncover the truth is The Journalist’s basic premise.
The plot involves tracking the ruling government corruption and cover-up related to a financial scam. The emotional drama covers how honest civil servents become casualties of the system who have to follow orders from above at any cost.
Performances?
Yonekura Ryoko is brilliant playing an honest journalist sticking to her guts, searching for truth amidst the hostile conditions. She presents a picture of honesty and maintains that intensity throughout the series. The many moods and emotions are conveyed subtly with mere eye moments and facial expressions.
Analysis
Michihito Fuji directs The Journalist. He had previously directed a movie with the same title and characters who work for the same newspaper. However, the stories are entirely different in the movie and the series.
On the surface, The Journalist is like any investigative drama focussing on a government’s scam. The difference here is the highlighting of the emotional turmoil of various people involved in the issue at different levels. How it creates a ripple effect on others.
One of the subplots of the series involving Anna Matsuda and Ryo is a fine example in that aspect. The entire character arc of the latter changes due to the reporting and incidents related to it. This emotional adhesive connecting the various players is the series biggest victory.
The slow pace is a significant issue, especially at the start. The editing and too many things happening at the same time, make the narrative chaotic and convoluted. It is only when the whole thing settled down and the real drama emerges that we are encouraged to the narrative.
There are many characters, but they all fit the narrative neatly likes pieces of a puzzle. Everyone has a definite role and their actions have repercussions. The screenplay is well-knit making the narrative gripping. If it wasn’t the case, the lethargic pace at times would mean many quitting the show before it’s over.
The six episodes series surely feels like a stretch. But the way the various tracks are developed and closed with emotional satisfaction at the end makes it worthwhile. It is particularly true from the middle to the end.
Another aspect that intrigues and adds to the novelty is the realistic progression of the story. There is no hurry to serve justice, it comes but it takes time. It is what happens in reality when one pursues the truth and that point is wrapped neatly in the narrative without sugarcoating it.
Also, the whole scam may be related to the Japanese government, but if one follows politics, it is universally relatable. One can find connections locally. It is only the presentation that differs.
Overall, The Journalist is engrossing, albeit a tad too melodramatic, investigative drama. Give it a try if you like the genre, but have lots of patience.
Other Artists?
All the actors part of the series are well cast and act excellently. However, we remember only a few with excellent character arcs, situations and scenes and that’s where Go Ayano, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Shinobu Terajima, Ryusei Yokohama, Koji Ohkura etc stand out. They all have so many emotional moments and they deliver it all with aplomb.
Music and Other Departments?
The music strictly and religiously follows the sombre tone of the show. It adds to melodrama, as a result. It could have been toned down, though. The cinematography is alright, but the editing could have been better. A feeling of needless complexity sets in from the start. The writing is good. It helps in keeping simple and understandable by not going too technical.
Highlights?
Story
Setting
Screenplay
Writing
Performances
Drawbacks?
Extreme Slow Pace
Too Much Melodrama
Convoluted Beginning
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, For The Most Part
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Reservations
The Journalist Series Review by Binged Bureau
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