Watch Nurse Sisters

Nurse Sisters, a 2003 Japanese drama film, tells the story of three sisters who work as nurses in a local hospital. The three sisters, Mika (Yumeka Sasaki), Saki (Nikki Sasaki), and Lala (Miyuki Konno), share a common passion for their profession, but each struggles with their own personal demons. Mika, the oldest sister, leads a strict and disciplined lifestyle, focusing solely on her work and rarely taking breaks. However, she harbors a secret love for her late sister's husband, who also happens to be a doctor at the hospital. She tries to suppress her feelings, but they become harder to ignore as she becomes more involved in his life.

Saki, the middle sister, suffers from a chronic illness and has to take medication to survive. She remains optimistic despite her condition but becomes disillusioned with the hospital system as she learns about the corruption and power struggles among the staff. Saki tries to bring about change but finds herself facing resistance from her superiors.

Lala, the youngest sister, is a free-spirited and wild nurse who enjoys partying and drinking. Her carefree attitude creates tension between her and her sisters, who view her behavior as irresponsible. However, Lala has a hidden talent as a singer and songwriter, and she struggles to balance her passion for music with her responsibilities as a nurse.

The movie tackles the theme of family and sisterhood and how it can be strained by personal differences and conflicts. It also touches on the pressures and challenges of working in the healthcare sector, including the burden of patient care, the politics of the hospital system, and the emotional impact of loss and grief.

The performances of the three lead actresses are noteworthy, each bringing a unique interpretation of their respective characters. Yumeka Sasaki plays Mika stoically, conveying her suppressed emotions through her facial expressions and body language. Nikki Sasaki portrays Saki as a resilient but vulnerable character, showing her emotional struggles with subtlety and nuance. Miyuki Konno shines as Lala, delivering an energetic and charismatic performance that captivates the audience.

The film has a predominantly slow-paced narrative, but it effectively builds up tension and suspense in critical moments. It also uses flashbacks and dream sequences to reveal the sisters' backstories, providing a deeper context to their motivations and behaviors.

Nurse Sisters boasts of impressive production values, with attention paid to the hospital sets and the medical equipment used. The movie also features an excellent soundtrack, with original songs written and performed by Miyuki Konno as Lala.

Overall, Nurse Sisters is a compelling and emotionally-driven film that offers a fresh perspective on the healthcare sector and the struggles of sisterhood. It is a poignant portrayal of love, loss, and redemption that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of its viewers.