No.of Eps: 1
Yr/TV Stn: 2012/TBS
Cast:
Hidetoshi Nishijima - Jun Moriya
Teruyuki Kagawa - Ryosuke Takayama
Emi Wakui - Naoko Nishida
Atsushi Ito - Hiroshi
Fumiyo Kohinata - Taisei Oda
Synopsis: (edited from Asianwiki)
Two men, a detective and a gang member, infiltrate each other's organization. Soon they find their fates intertwined. Undercover cop Jun Moriya has climbed the ranks of a criminal organization and he has developed a relationship with gang member Hiroshi like a real brother. When his handler was murdered, nobody in the police force will ever know Jun's real identity.
No.of Eps: 1
Yr/TV Stn: 2012/WOWOW TV
Cast:
Hidetoshi Nishijima - Jun Moriya
Teruyuki Kagawa - Ryosuke Takayama
Emi Wakui - Naoko Nishida
Yu Aoi - Mari Suenaga
Fumiyo Kohinata - Taisei Oda
Synopsis: (edited from Asianwiki)
When Ryosuke Takayama was younger, he was taken under the wings of Oda, the leader of a criminal gang. Since then, Ryosuke Takayama was raised like a real son by Oda. Ryosuke Takayama then follows orders from Oda and becomes a detective. He rises through the police organization, while leaking information to Oda's gang. Following Oda's order, Ryosuke Takayama approaches Mari Suenaga, who is the daughter of a powerful politician. Meanwhile, Ryosuke begins to have disgust his double life and wants to end his relationship with Oda. Jun Moriya is an undercover police officer that has long infiltrated the criminal gang led by Oda. After many clashes with the gang and police, Jun Moriya wonders where his true loyalties lie. The only person that seems to understand him is Doctor Naoko. Ryosuke Takayama then contacts to Jun Moriya, who he believes is an undercover cop. Ryosuke wants to work with Jun to get rid of his double life and start anew. The two men, with double faces, begin to fight for the meaning of their existences and their lives.
Review:
"Double Face" is the Japanese version of "Infernal Affairs" and even though the plot is identical, the vibe of the movie is very Japanese. I would say that this is a good remake of the classic HK movie, but it's a pity that "Double Face" is not a movie.
Nishijima and Kagawa are veteran actors with solid acting. I am quite a fan of Nishijima and watching his undercover role is somewhat refreshing. Actually the 2 actors did not have lots of screentimes together as each episode focused on their individual stories. However, their characters are still very much connected. The ladies in the dramas are obviously flower vases, but I felt the chemistry between Nishijima and Wakui.
Another important character is Kohinata's Oda. Kohinata nailed his character very well and he's such a sly old fox.
