I Miss You When I See You (2018)

Falls short for me.

This is a very critical review.

BEGINNINGS:
This movie is about Jamie and Kevin who knew each other in secondary school. Jamie comes to visit Kevin in Australia very many years later, and the theme of the movie, "I Miss You When I See You" begins.

IN GENERAL:
I like indie films like this because they're raw in emotion. The characters never say their feelings in words. You're just supposed to infer them. This movie tries to tackle themes of internalized homophobia, maybe depression, and AIDS a little as well.

However, I found the film didn't teach anything. It really ended where it started.

Maybe the movie is just supposed to show two messed up people and that's the whole point, but I am always searching for a silver-lining or takeaway.. couldn't find one.

COMPLIMENTS:
The cinematography is great. The scenery is exceptional especially in the beginning. I applaud the actors, directors, screenwriters, and the likes for evoking unique emotions is every scene. Most of this was accomplished through the actor who played Kevin Fong. He was instrumental in the vibe of the entire movie.

COMPLAINTS:
I say these things, but I didn't get any value out of this movie. It didn't devastate me into gratitude or depress me into melancholy. I just feel like.. "Man. This story is messed up!" It had very few moments of true beauty. What are my criteria of beauty? Realistic, well-thought-out moments that strike a cord in my heart. This falls short at no cords stricken...

OVERALL:
Compared to other lower production films, this one didn't have any elements I felt were particularly unique. I think the story is well told by talented people. However, the story itself is lacking. Nothing was tackled in depth, and I am at a loss to what the creators' goal was with this film. With that being said, it is not bad. It is just not special. Watch it if you have time.

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Finally, at the end....

Synopsis: Kevin and Jamie were close school friends who drifted apart before Kevin emigrated to Australia. Kevin was willing to embrace himself and Jamie was not. Years later, Jamie goes to find Kevin after attending a school reunion and hears his ex school mates discussing Kevin's situation. He had been hospitalized at some point for depression. They meet and discuss their lives. Then Jamie asks him if he has any desire to return to Hong Kong. Here the story begins.

Kevin openly talks with Jamie about his need to be on medication to keep him functioning. He accepts this as part of his life. He knows those who see him, recognizes how closed off he is and keep their distance. All except Fai, a teenage gay student, who takes a liking to him. Jamie, who has placed his mementos of their relationship in a box, watches on. After dinner, Fai realizes that Kevin is into Jamie and after a brief altercation, walks away. Kevin, lost and lonely, turns to promiscuous sex to get some sort of feeling within himself. Frustrated, he throws the pills away.

His agitation off of the drugs, the actions he takes, finally culminate in his decision to go back to Australia. There he was at peace. Living in a world in which Jamie is so close but still unavailable to him, proves to be too much. Jamie, previously disengaging himself from his past by dumping his mementos in the bin and proposing to his girlfriend, follows him into the street from another reunion. He can not deny himself or his feelings anymore. He begs him not to leave.

The unknowing element of this film creates the interest. There is a stillness felt throughout which builds to a climax at the end. I loved this film for the realistic depiction of depression. The drugs manage his depression but also diminishes any response to stimulation. He feels empty. Nobody, ever discusses this. Lei Jeun Sek nails it. At every stage, he allows the viewer into his desperate mind and what he is feeling without saying a word. The flashbacks and pacing are perfect. My mainstream heart would have loved to see more interaction between Jamie and Kevin. They acted well with each other but it is with Fai that we get the honest responses. This was definitely a palate cleanser from the generic bl being offered and a good watch. Try it, at least once.

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