Can’t Write!? A Life Without Scenario Review: A Short And Fun Take On The Struggles Of A Screenwriter

Recently someone casually remarked that “you are lucky your work (content writing) is not brainy or else you would have lead a stressful life”. Huh? Writing does not require brains? What does he think I use to write, my lungs? My cheerful countenance probably gave him the wrong idea that I have no stress in life. But writing is brainless work…seriously?

Anybody who thinks writing is no big deal should watch Japanese dorama ‘Can’t Write! A Life Without Scenario’. This show follows the life of not one but two writers: a struggling, unsuccessful screenwriter and an accomplished, popular novelist. It throws light on the complications and difficulties of screenwriting and shows how tough it is to gain success for a writer of a TV show.

This character-driven drama has a heart and a soul. It shows the nuances of the life of different types of writers while focusing on screenwriting. It is a must-watch for aspiring screenwriters. The scenarios shown in the show can be over the top but still close to reality.   

  

Can’t Write! A Life Without Scenario (Japanese title: Kakenai!?: Kyakuhonka Yoshimaru Keisuke no Sujigaki no Nai Seikatsu) (2021) (8 Episodes)

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Keisuke Yoshimaru (Toma Ikuta) is a 37-years-old househusband who lives with his wife and two kids in an upscale apartment. His wife Nami (Kichise Michiko) is a successful novelist who earns for the family while Keisuke looks after the household and kids.

Before marrying Nami, Keisuke used to work for a real estate company after failing to make a mark as a screenwriter while Nami was a single mother working at a bookstore. After marriage, Nami won a prestigious writing competition, which led to her immense fame and success. Seeing Nami achieve her dreams, Keisuke quit his job and started to pursue screenwriting once again.

However, despite struggling for many years, he never managed to get much work and settled for becoming a househusband. One day, Keisuke receives a call from a TV producer asking him to replace the writer of a prime-time drama. Writing for a prime-time show starring a popular actor is a dream job for most writers. Keisuke is skeptical as it has been a while since he wrote anything but he takes up the job and gives it his all to make it work despite the tight deadlines, unreasonable demands by the creatives, and cutthroat competition.  

I enjoyed watching ‘Can’t Write! A Life Without Scenario’ because…

…being a writer myself, I could totally relate to the story of our lead, Keisuke Yoshimaru. Keisuke seems a little lost when it comes to his career. He likes writing but despite working hard nothing works for him. So, he switches to real estate to be able to make a living. It is not that he is lazy or fickle-minded. He enjoys screenwriting but he never tastes success, which makes him doubt his own talent.

When he sees his wife Nami work hard and achieve success despite her unfavorable circumstances, he feels inspired to follow his passion and once again sets out to become a screenwriter. He does win a small prize for writing but even that does not help him get any work. After overdosing on constant rejection, he settles down as househusband so his successful wife can concentrate on her career. He is happy and content with his life.

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It may seem that Keisuke lacks ambition but that is not really the case. He does aim to become a famous screenwriter. However, he lacks the patience and burning passion to go after his dream. When he faces hurdles in life, he chooses to give up writing and takes up whatever comes easily to him. But deep down his heart silently longs to receive the recognition and adoration he sees being showered upon his wife.

When the opportunity to write for a prime time show suddenly falls into his lap, he feels doubtful of himself, which is natural considering the long gap in his work experience after taking up the life of a househusband and almost giving up on writing. Out of practice, he wonders if he can do justice to the job.

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But deep down he knows how much he hates the fact that his in-laws do not respect him anymore as they did when he married their daughter. It hurts him to tell everyone that his wife is a successful writer while he is a B-list screenwriter with hardly any work to his credit. These insecurities give Keisuke’s character shades of realism that I loved watching the most. He lacked motivation all his life but now that wasn’t the case and when he gets the opportunity he seizes it with both hands.

Taking up the job does not mean his life is set to a smooth ride. Even after going formally on-board, he faces a ton of problems from every angle. But bitten by his mistakes in the past, Keisuke does not give up. He accepts all challenges thrown in his way and turns them into an opportunity each time.

I personally loved how real Keisuke was even as a fictional character. In a short time, Keisuke shows development and transformation based on his past experiences and life learnings. Actor Toma Ikuta does complete justice to the role. He excels in comedy and makes his character lovable. I picked this dorama only because of him and he lived up to my expectations. 

In the show, Keisuke starts suffering from anxiety as soon as he takes up the new job and his anxiety takes the form of a big head alien who scares him to death. He calls this alien ‘skinhead’ and ‘baldy’. Throughout the show, Keisuke tries hard to get rid of the alien and tries to stop it from scaring him. I consider this aspect of the show the best because anxiety is truly a scary alien out there to gulp you down. 

…I liked Keisuke’s loving and caring wife, Nami too. Even though she is the sole breadwinner of her family, she does not look down on her unsuccessful and ambitionless husband. Keisuke married her when she was nowhere in life and struggling to look after a daughter as a single parent. She does not forget this and is clearly grateful to Keisuke for it. She supports Keisuke unconditionally. She supports him when he quits work and stays back at home and even when he suddenly decides to take up screenwriting once again.

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Each time Keisuke is stuck, she uses her experience as a novel writer to guide and help him with his work. But she never makes a show of it. She sees Keisuke working hard and only wants him to do well. When he starts receiving appreciation for his work, she does feel a pinch of jealousy and insecurity but that does not cause a change in her loving nature. Through the course of the drama, we see that Nami learns a lot about herself and her husband. She has her own struggles as a writer but happily hides them to ensure Keisuke focuses on his new work.  

I did NOT LIKE ‘Can’t Write! A Life Without Scenario’ because…

…naaaah. There is nothing to dislike about this show. It is short and fast-paced. It tackles conflicts quickly and gives you a realistic ending with no extra frills of philosophical learnings. You are free to take what you want from the drama including our main lead’s content face in difficult situations.  

 

 

I loved this show for its loving and supportive characters and almost realistic storyline. I could relate to Keisuke’s confusion, anxiety, and struggle. It gives a glimpse of how television shows are conceived and created. Of course, it is slightly exaggerated but still relatable. If you are a writer then you must give this show a watch.

I give ‘Can’t Write! A Life Without Scenario’ 4 out of 5 rating. A writer’s life is not easy and Keisuke is the perfect example of it. This short drama is entertaining and worth a watch.

 

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