Went in with zero expectations, but this charming old comedy turned out to be a genuinely fun ride. Combining gay characters, a pride parade, and a heist plot in one movie sounds like a recipe that could easily fall apart, but when it's pulled off right, like it is here, you end up with something that feels satisfying and delivers exactly the kind of simple entertainment it promises. The setting is Chez Nouz, a gay cafe tucked into the heart of Amsterdam, run by an older guy named Adje who acts as a stand in father figure for Bertie, the bar's main drag performer, a guy who never actually knew his real dad and has spent years fantasizing that he might secretly be the son of some famous Dutch singer. Their little makeshift family also includes Babette, the straight waitress, and Rachid, a regular who Adje took under his wing and gave a room to after his own family kicked him out for being gay. The bar's other regulars include Peter-Jan, a good looking gay lawyer, and Gijs, a...
Yoh is an aspiring manga artist thought a lot of his work doesn't get published and he is not making much money. He lives with his college mate Segasaki, who is a very popular weatherman. Right after college, Segasaki gave Yoh a tempting offer. Segasaki will pay for Yoh's expenses, including rent and food. Yoh can work as a manga artist without financial concerns. In exchange, Yoh must obey Segasaki's commands. So in first few episodes we see more of a Dom-slave kinda relationship with sex thrown in and Segasaki getting his way with Yoh as and when he wants, which even Yoh likes and enjoys. In fact Yoh is completely obsessed with Segasaki. There is some lame story about how Segasaki wants to do 'it' only in sunny days and not rainy days. Anyway, eventually we see that both of them are actually very attracted to each other and want. Each other but are incapable of expressing their true love for one another. When Segasaki sees that Yoh spends too much time with a female colleague he gets very jealous. Yoh gets fired form work and this is when his colleague suggest writing a manga abased on his true relationship with Segasaki, how. They met, how the friendship grew and where they are today. Few more regular misunderstandings happen and eventually they are both able to convey their true feelings for one another.
As I said before, the story is more like a Dom/sugar daddy having his way with his slave/sub partner. The protagonist uses the wealth disparity to manipulate, coerce, and exploit his love interest with sex being thrown as a mind game fun. This is a disturbing relationship, which personally I do not relate to but I am sure there are plenty people who do. I also do believe that there is a fine line between love and possessiveness. Towards the end, Segasaki obsession goes out of control , but I felt that the show was glorifying it in the name of love. Regardless it is. Fascinating one. What I don't understand is why cant they both openly talk about their feelings to one another. I mean they do have sex, they do get intimate, what is so scary about confronting your feelings. Interestingly, the passion shown here in bed is real. The series shows many sensual touches and iconic kisses. The couple kisses, caresses, and expresses their longing like they genuinely mean it, which is a huge positive. The actor playing Yoh is actually quite handsome and brilliant actor. He does good justice to his role, but the one playing the weatherman seems wooden. Sure, his character demanded it but he somehow lacks the charm and charisma which this character is supposed to have that makes Yoh become a slave for him.
The show does have its problem with the basic setup of the premise, but something still connected with me wrt intimacy, passion and something new. Maybe, it was supposed to be a semi-erotica genre. An average fare overall. (5/10)
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