My Rainy Days recounts a love story that has been depicted so frequently that every development has become painfully predictable, and its most acute failure lies precisely in how it has completely failed to surprise us - there is not a single stroke of creativity in the highly linear unfolding of the tale, and the film simply does not have enough redeeming qualities to salvage it from mediocrity. In short, it is an utterly forgettable cliché.

In My Rainy Days, a devastating tragedy transformed 17 year-old high school student Rio (Nozomi Sasaki) into a recalcitrant teenager who sold her own body. She decided to turn over a new leaf when she met a reticent but attractive 35 year-old college professor Kouki (Shosuke Tanihara), whom she fell madly in love with. However, one day, Kouki suddenly vanished from her life, and she eventually came to the discovery that he was dying from an illness, which accounted for his fear of embarking on a relationship with her. What decision did she come to, and how did their story go? Insofar as you keep in mind that this is a show that prioritises commercial considerations over artistic concerns and is scripted with the aim to appeal to the masses, you would have no trouble guessing the outcomes of the plot correctly.

However, if watching movies serves as a form of escapism for you, there is a chance that you might still end up enjoying the film after all (notwithstanding its hackneyed storyline), for the show prominently features the notion of an eternal and selfless love which transcends the carnal plane - something for which we can only hope, often futilely, in reality.

In addition, Nozomi Sasaki is blessed with beauty which would doubtless rivet the attention of most viewers, and Shosuke Tanihara has an unassuming allure that slowly grows on one, even though one might not find him too strikingly handsome initially. The idiosyncrasies of the two characters result in interactions which are often amusing, and which would endear the couple to most of the viewers.

It is also refreshing to see the female actively pursuing the man of her dreams for once - her aggressiveness and courage in professing her love are admirable, and unquestionably set her apart from the female protagonists in other romantic comedies who typically choose to wait passively for their male suitors to take action.

Japanese humour is hugely distinctive in its own charmingly banal way, and this movie is sprinkled with doses of it, which add an occasionally delightful touch to an otherwise bland narration. Watch the movie if you have the time and money to spare; and please remember enjoyment is only possible if you are prepared to suspend your cynicism about romance for the next 2 hours.