An interesting prelude to a complelling second part
"Irresistible Love" is a story that is divided in to two movie and the first part "Secret of the Valet" is just an introduction all the important characters in this storyline and getting the basic plot in order. There is drama and emotion, all meant as a prelude to the main content that is part of the second installment.To summarize, the story is about Shu Nian, an orphan who enters the Xie family as a child and is tasked to take care of Xie Yan who regards him more as property than a person. Xie Yan returns after studying abroad and immediately tasks himself to be around Nian, oblivious to the fact that Nian harbous feelings for him. Things take a turn for the worst when Xie Yan being an open homophobe discovers Nian's feelings and immediately pushes him out of his life. This separation from Nian, makes his recognize his own feelings towards Nian
The plotline is rather simple and is mostly driven by the characters. Shu Nian, is our poor damsel in distress and is saved by a knight in shining armour who takes him away from the orphanage. Nian is forever obliged by this act and becomes a play thing for his saviour. Xie Yan from the beginning acts like a bratty child and uses Shu Nian with complete disregard for his feelings. This attitude of his continues even as an adult. Nian, however looks beyond these faults and is in love with Xie Yan who inturn rebukes him at first and on realising his true feelings acts obsessive. We as viewers are left pitying Nian and hoping Xie Yan finds a way to redeem himself.
The actors Wang Bo Wen and Meng Rui were exceptional in their portrayal of the characters. Bo Wen with his whispering dialogues demonstrated the vulnerability of Shu Nian as a character whereas Meng Rui played the angry, obsessive Xie Yan to the T.
In conclusion, "Irresistible Love: Secret of the Valet" serves as a promising prologue, providing a glimpse into the characters and their intricate dynamics. The exceptional performances and character introductions set the stage for an anticipated continuation in the subsequent part, making it a worthwhile watch for those invested in character-driven romantic dramas
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
servant/master dynamic, there is a second part
Overall: this review takes into consideration it aired in 2016 and is from China. It is also called "Uncontrolled Love". Available on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/uncontrolled-love-secret-of-the-valet-2016-19rrlkp87k?lang=en_us Note the movie and my review might have triggering content.Content Warnings: non con touching, homophobia, (towards the end: beaten up/held against will, blood, attempted gang rape (not with the MLs), choking, self harm)
What I Liked
- acting
- coherent story
- music
Room For Improvement
- cliche wannabe girlfriend/wife
- the ML is controlling/abusive towards the other ML; however, I think he does have character growth in the second part
Was this review helpful to you?
Master-Servant BL platonic story, angsty and enthralling despite the bad subtitles
The movie depicts the very peculiar master-servant relationship between 2 men, one being entirely devoted to the other. The plot is quite simple in itself but manage to captivate thanks to their relationship feeling super taboo with its fair share of controlling and unhealthy aspects. Despite some rather caricatural arc (once again the female protagonist is atrocious), I was properly fascinated by the story.I loved the chemistry between the two main male leads. It was totally believable, they took my breath away a couple of times with all the angst they were living through. I had to pause the movie at some point because it was so painful. The remainder of the cast is more average, they do a suitable job but nothing exceptional.
The music is quite atmospheric with some classical piano tunes rather well balanced with the story. The production value is good but more in line of what is expected from a series rather than a movie.
I would recommend this to people looking for an angsty BL story centred around a gut-wrenching Master-Servant relationship. Despite its short length, the movie manage to be enthralling despite the horrendous subtitles. Be mindful of the tags as the movie can be triggering.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good movie, but not really
I don't think we can call this a movie, an unfinished story at best.There is a lot missing, and just when they were about to start something, the movie ends.
The story is Intriguing, cast is ok, acting is acceptable, but there is nothing going on.
As if you tore the first 10 pages of a book and just read them on their own, low-key forcing you to watch the next part to have your closure
I hope the second part tie up the loose ends because I need a closure, but judging this movie as it is, this is 5 at best ~
Was this review helpful to you?
at the start i really felt sad for Shu Nian, Shu Nian the orphaned child that just wanted parents & a family - ended up getting adopted (more like people that go to a kennel or an animal shelter & adopt a pet). that is what he became, an obedient pet that sat when his "master" ordered.... this type of conditioning where u r more or less r molded into the subservient slave Shu Nian turned into, is beyond sad.
with Xie Yan idk if he was born a sociopath or turned into one, cause of how his parents indulged & spoilt him. they for sure never taught him better or even considered to treat Shu Nian as a human, a child that needed love & care let alone safeguarding. he was their sons position & as such he could do what he wanted with/to him. their contribution was to make sure he was fed, clothed & educated, nothing more - like u would with a pet.
Shu Nian being gay was that part of the conditioning he went through - considering how he had no personal space to speak off, Xie Yan never let him out of his sight, he treated him like a pet touching, cuddling him to sleep - constantly invading his space/privacy... but Shu Nian is human not an animal, so maybe this treatment made him develop feelings for his "master". either way i don't get how Xie Yan didn't realize that he was gay, not just cause of how he treated Shu Nian, but his gf saying he got close to a British buddy that was effeminate & he treated him like he did Shu Nian, that's not a coincidence - right??!?
mentioning Jiang Yao - i don't get women like her, i get that the main reason she was with Xie Yan was money, she hit the jackpot if she married him, so she was hanging on for dear life. but if u r a woman & u know/suspect that the man u r hanging around, is treating other men more affectionately then u, getting rid of one man or the other wont matter - cause in the long run, there will always be a new man that will draw his attention away from u - cause he is gay - so keep living a life where u pay money to thugs to get rid of the new guy? is the life she wants???
anyway this was a toxic mess (as i mentioned above), i get that Shu Nian was brainwashed into turning into the slave he was & i get that as a viewer it's easier to say 'why he not breaking those bonds, he not a kid anymore. shouldn't he want out of that weird dynamic?!?' especially when he saw his "master" with a woman, why stay around until u r sent away? & then he choses not to go, to further his studies - great! but why answer Xie Yan call. why not disappear. didn't get the logic in that move.
like didn't get Xie Yan letting Jiang Yao off with a weak-ass warning that amounted to nothing. there no cops in this world?!? usually tired of seeing how easily cops r bought by wealthy people, here when it isn't even needed as Jiang Yao broke the law & there's no hide nor hair of them - ugh!
anyway this a one off & if i watch the sequel it's only cause this ended confusing; like there scenes missing or something, or maybe it was a teaser for the sequel idk... will see
Was this review helpful to you?
