ABSOLUTELY SPLENDID!
Seldom do I give a perfect score to a drama or rewatch it, but this was an incredible watch from start to end, and it deserves to be recognized as such. Like a Flowing River by its excellence single-handedly raises the bar of the quality of small-screen productions coming out of China. I highly recommend it.Every single character from this drama has remained with me, and I felt as though I were part of the story, as though I were from Xiaoleijia. You get to live through that post cultural revolution period in Chinese history, and see, feel the impact of the progressive and socialist reforms implemented, the angst of a people at the end of a terrible era, and their excitement at the dawn of China's current economic revolution. Absolutely fascinating!
There has not been a day since the completion of this drama (about a month ago) that I have not thought about Xiaolejia or one of its characters in some way, shape or form.
Yang Shuo, Wang Kai, Tong Yao, and Dong Zijian delivered extraordinary performances; so did the rest of the cast, and they are commendable for it. The cinematography and directing were of sheer brilliance. Don't even get me started with the writing! Tang Yao penned the script (based on Ah Nai's novel River of Time) impeccably.
I cannot wait for Season 2, which is slated to air in December 2019 (11 long months away). I will rewatch the entire Season 1 then, prior to seeing Season 2.
What a kicker it would be if they can air it even earlier than the previously scheduled date!
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Good story
As a production, it is good. Actors are very good, in fact. The only issues about this production would be the ending (last ~10 episodes or so). The plot drifted and seemed unfocused (after Episode 38 or so), even though I enjoyed watching the 3 main characters and their story lines unfold. It is really regrettable that the last 2 episodes seemed so fragmented for the characters. (I know there may be another season! And, that's good news indeed.).The main challenge here is whether the plot follows character development. I personally feel like the three main characters' developments aren't explicitly shown to the audience. That's regrettable. There is a lot of change in their lives. They must be changing as people. But, it is unclear...
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Outstanding drama about an iconic and unprecedented decade – the 80s.
Like a Flowing River is a splendid drama depicting an iconic and unprecedented decade – the 80s - in a grounded and human way. It's difficult to portray all the changes that China went through during these first ten years of the Reform and Opening Up while capturing both the grand picture and the daily lives of ordinary people, but somehow this drama manages to do it.In 1978, after years of a centralized planned economy and being closed off to the world, China began an unprecedented transformation in history that has impacted the world beyond imagination, with changes still continuing into the 21st century. These first two decades lasting until 2000 are known as the Reform and Opening Up*.*
In Like a Flowing River we see the first part of this transformation - from 1978 until 1988 - , while the second and third seasons cover the following years. Set in eastern China, we experience what the Reform and Opening Up meant through the lives of the three main protagonists: a university graduate who will enter the production industry, a local Party leader in rural areas, and a private entrepreneur.
The Execution
Based on a novel, the adapted script is so well written that I took notes on many life lessons to remember, reflect on, and apply to my own life. The excellent performances from the whole cast, led by Wang Kai, Yang Shuo and Tong Yao, do full justice to the characters and the story, under the magnificent direction of Kong Sheng and Huang Wei. It was produced by Daylight Entertainment – and as always, if DE is involved, you can rest assured the final product will be of high quality, even if it's not necessarily your taste.
I love the storytelling. There’s no messy start, no reliance on flashbacks, no constant jumping between multiple characters and storylines from the beginning that prevent you from connecting with them or that make you struggle to follow each storyline. Instead, everything is presented in a clear and smooth way, without oversimplifying. Nothing feels fake or forced, also doesn’t shy away from hardship, whether from the previous or the current period.
The Story
I mean, a drama that can make you eagerly want to watch the next episode while dealing with seemingly dry themes, at least deserves a try.
Starting in 1978 with the restoration of the Gaokao, the National University Entrance Exams - which marked the ending of the Maoist-era recommendation system -, we see throughout 48 episodes how the collective farming, which had been pushing people into poverty, was replaced with a family-based land leasing system where farmers could sell the surplus on the open market, the legalization of private businesses – yes, they were forbidden before –, and the government promoting rural enterprises collectively owned by townships and villages.
The drama also depicts how state-owned enterprises gained autonomy in production, pricing, and profit retention, and even shows the introduction of the dual-track price system, allowing goods to be sold at both state-set plan prices and higher market prices, gradually shifting toward market mechanisms. And of course, we see how the quality of life was gradually improving.
Not only do we see the main transformations through the intertwined lives of the three protagonists and their relationships, but we also understand what they meant, the challenges they represented, and we also get invested emotionally in the characters’ struggles and achievements! Outstanding indeed.
Final thoughts
Two things to highlight: my love for a secondary character, Xun Jian Xiang (played by Zhao Da); and the overall positive feeling that runs through the story. The words from A Nai, the author of the novel on which the drama is based, sum it up perfectly:
"We are so fortunate to be able to catch up with the era of China's rising fortune. I don't want to fail this era. I'm blessed to be living in an unprecedented era of change."
Despite its length, I didn't want Like a Flowing River to end. This drama entered, without hesitation, my all-time favourites list and luckily, seasons 2 and 3 covering the remaining years until the end of the '90s are already out!
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This review may contain spoilers
Clap clap another all around perfect score which be an en 2018 and opening 2019 drama review from me.I got this drama info when i do browse Youtube and found Avenuex jie did a review which one was contain about this drama. Got hooked I do research a history background this drama plot and be amazed. This definitely a most beautiful and realistic drama I ever watch.
The plot OMG, it did pang my heart when research about condition 1978's china which I called an economic crazed. In the timeline of plot China (or years before that, 1966or so) did have TONS of cultural reform which would influence them to have a capitalism restoration and the one Chairman Mao fears. In the story Song Yun Hui family was a non pro social-democration which resulted him couldnt be accepted into an university even he is a number 1 in entire country, but he fight and accepted. Another 2 main characters, Lei Dongbao and Yang Xun struggle with their own destiny like being limited access of knowledge and business struggle. The actors who potray those characters are the best, because not only act but they did put 100% on the project like Wang Kai who did dieting and become a super super skinny. Not only the casting but the line of PDs are awesome Kong Sheng is the one who gave the success of Nirvana in Fire and Ode to Joy plus he did have work with Wang Kai 2 time and this is the third one.
The costumes, shooting places are so detail which I like that, the green scenery on first episode so good. The music and I love they did not use the dubbing system like those other drama which I love it so much, I do love the real sound of wind, their footsteps even I could hear their own sound.
It so much weight and hard to understand if you dont focus since it based on real life situation on that period plus it divide into 2 parts, right now which airing is part one and have 47 episode.
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