Sakura

An odd little drama. The first half is very sweet, gentle, and heartwarming, but underneath that layer of happiness lurks a darkness that isn't so much evil or malignant, but still has a very severe impact on the characters involved. The second half hits pretty hard, also due to the contrast with the first part, well-played by director Yazaki. Other than that, you get a Japanese drama that is pretty much by the numbers, sporting polished cinematography, a pleasant score, and excellent performances. The interesting twist is what makes Sakura stand out, well worth watching for fans of the genre.