Anxiety driven, nail biting, extremely well written AND POND CAN GET IT
It kills me that i don't have anyone to physically talk to about this show so here we are. This show is a hidden gem and if it catches your eyes, please don't let your decision change based on the rating and reviews.The realism of the story is genuinely what gets me the most because for such a plot line, the story and the ending would be much different in most cases. Usually in dramas you see characters change and persevere and while it looks good and feels 'real' it very often is not and i love how clear the show made it that not every person moves ahead in life or embraces the change or chooses a 'feel good; path for the viewers.
The writing in itself is insane, the dialogs and the metaphors are very well presented and delivered. Some of the metaphors are so deep it might have to rewatch just ot get a better understanding of them. You know the writing is incredible if you can hate and yet empathise with every character.
For an 8 episode show with literally 3 different shots/locations the quality of production and depiction is very very good. I see a lot of people upset about how there were only 3 different places in the entire show but i find it as the best part, acc to me it depicts the cages/walls built by all these characters and It so well shows their confinement and the trajectory of how they choose to stay in it or escape it.
Needless to say, the acting was top tier by all 3 leads. I love Wang from the bottom of my heart and given I'm currently the same age as him, I love the representation of youngsters through him. I agree with every point he made and the fact that every other adult failed him by the end makes my blood boil. My favourite statement by Wang was how you can't support government or a political party the same you support your favourite band, like open your fucking eyes and I AGREE WANG ILY FOR THIS.
Mol was annoying and manipulative as ever but her character was an absolute necessity and the story would not be the same had she been toned down. In had his own flaws but at the end he was the epitome of the realities of so many closeted individuals whose internalised homophobia is the root cause of their problems.
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Give me my lungs back
I demand my lungs back. I'm sat here unable to breathe, think, and march forward because I'm longing just as hard as they were for each other for another episode or season. I don't like the unfinished ending I want them to be happy but this show works so well that I'm scared that another episode or season will ruin it. I'm in shambles please send help. 10/10Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Beautiful Sledgehammer to the Heart
This drama was an unexpected gem. I was not expecting the level of quality-- wonderful acting from all actors, beautiful cinematography, exemplary direction and truly lovely score. I was locked in from episode 1 and remained fully engaged up to the final seconds of the series.Every episode was a taut tapestry of emotions-- some almost choked me with their emotional intensity. I could feel my heart thumping and growing heavier as the episodes progressed.
Pond's portrayal of Wang was eye-opening. The man can ACT! I felt every single one of his emotions as they either simmered beneath his seemingly placid surface or exploded out when he couldn't contain them any longer. His relationship with his mother was loving yet fraught (for good reasons), and I could always glimpse his longing for his father and attraction to In. Pond needs to be given more serious dramas, as some of the BL scripts he's had to work with just aren't up to his talents.
I read a lot of reviews of those who detested the mother character, but I really appreciated her, because I could see that she was modeled after Elizabeth Taylor's character in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF and the actress, Mam Kathaleeya McIntosh, did a stellar job of bringing the emotional roller-coaster of an alcoholic and narcissistic artist to life. Her acting almost had my jaw on the floor many times. It was out of this world. She understood the character's selfish motivations so deeply, that I couldn't hate her for her behavior, even though in many ways I wanted to shake her.
Life can sometimes be one big tangled web of complexities and this drama plowed right into the heart of some of those tangles. I appreciated that they didn't try to wrangle a contrived ending out of what were intensely complex relationships. Life doesn't always work out the way we desire. There are some who are deeply selfish, some who are brave of heart and those who are cowardly and when they all meet on the battlefield of love, rarely do we end up with a warm and cushy resolution.
In the end, the series was a beautiful sledgehammer to my heart.
BRAVO!! 👏👏👏
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Close to Gorgeous
I really enjoyed a lot about this. The story was genuine and raw and felt very new to this genre and very engaging.I felt like the chemistry and attraction was gorgeous to watch on screen though.
I did feel like some of the acting wasn't my favorite, and the plot was a bit convoluted. Sometimes it seemed like a scene that should take 2 minutes took 20 minutes, just for dramatic pauses and long speeches about something that was so long-winded.
I did really enjoy it though and would probably recommend.
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I'm obsessed to the point of being sick with it
If you're into acting that keeps you glued to the screen, this one's for you. Pond’s performance as Wang is incredibly direct and compelling. The cinematography is eye candy, and while I initially thought there were too many dialogues compared to flashbacks, I ended up appreciating how spot-on they were. The plot and conflicts are straightforward but are delivered really well.The series tackles tough issues like homophobia and emotional neglect, giving us a critical look at societal attitudes and their effects on individuals. The chemistry between the actors is top-notch.
You’ll instantly feel how rough it is to be Wang—he’s more mature than the so-called adults around him and feels completely isolated. The man he loves is a spineless coward, and his mom is a gaslighting, narcissistic homophobe. Honestly, they all could use some serious therapy.
If you're looking for more than just any BL series, this one is definitely a must-watch!
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Not for everyone, but a masterpiece if it's your style
Very slight spoilers if any...This is a show that requires patience, an open mind, and readiness to analyze what you're given.
The director's main field is in theater, which shows in how the story is told and how it's filmed. It could easily be adapted into a stage play. Thus this is very different than a typical bl and going into it thinking that it is similar would be a mistake. Tbh, it'd be a mistake to think of this as a romance at all. This is neither a romance nor a plot driven show. Rather it's an emotional psychological show that stars a simple 3 member cast.
This is a show with an incredible amount of details in the dialogue, and in lines (as in structural lines in the building, it makes sense once you watch). There are no flashbacks (think of this as a play), so everything is told purely through dialogue. This may be a turn off to some cause it can be more difficult to follow than a typical flashback. However I actually really like it because I can use my imagination to see what happened all while being able to watch the actor's emotions as they tell it. I'm able to see their real present emotions.
I'm writing this after my second watch. I previously watched this months ago, but decided to rewatch so I can absorb all the information and hidden meanings properly and I'm glad I did. Now that I know everything, every line as a hidden meaning. Every line has power. Despite this being a slow show there is not one moment in this show that is not important. Repetitive? I guess maybe, but that's really a stylistic thing. I'm on the side of it working to hammer in the points while also adding new info. It's also a show that works on the past and present having a significant amount of parallels. So if you're like me and like shows where you can analyze the scenes and dig deep into whats happening, this here is a gold mine.
Plot wise it's about the divide between people who live different kinds of lives, those who live trapped by the past, and those who fight to create a present they are proud of. In is a man who hides in fear from the world hoping nobody finds him, but it secretly lonely. Mol, a woman who ignores truth by living in a fantasy and rejecting anything that doesn't fit her ideal. And Wang, a young man who fights to find his truth and be free. The story revolves around these three and the emotional conflicts between them.
The acting is phenomenal. Brilliant casting choices. The acting is on the theatrical side, but because the show it written like a stage play, I say it fits. It might not work in some other shows, but here it's totally fine and I loved all the actors. Some of the best acting you'll see in a bl (if we're calling this that). It is my biased opinion that this is also one of the hardest bls to act in. I watched an interview with the actors and they said that since the show is extremely dialogue heavy it was difficult. On top of that, because every line, every word was written with a specific intention, they can't improvise or deviate at all from the script. Pond also talked about how he basically has to represent an entire generation. Compress their worldview and goals down into really complex lines.
Now, this is not a romance and they don't end up together, so I deal with it. I also think that this emotional rollercoaster of an age gap family conflict show wouldn't work as well had Wang not been Mol's son. The show heavily relies on the parallels between the past of Mol/In/Siam, and the present of Mol/In/Wang. It also heavily relies on Wang being the young rebellious kind who grew up in a slightly more accepting society. This show would not work the say it did had this age gap not existed.
I absolutely don't blame people who don't watch the show due to the age gap, but I still think that even with it, 180 degree is an incredibly well made show that, if you have the patience for it, will take your heart, swing it around and crush it for 8 episodes, and then hand it back to you as you stare off in disbelief at what you just watched. It's quite good at repeatedly throwing emotional scenes at you when you're not ready for them. Just when you think the emotional stuff is over, it hits you harder in a different way.
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Cinematographic masterpiece full of emotions
This drama is artistic, like a theatre piece (only 3 characters)Brilliant acting of only **two** (three) actors in story which happens in only few days. The drama is heavy on emotions, hidden or open. The scriptwriter wrote amazing lines, every sentence has more meaning and you have to think while watching this. There is lot of symbolism too. The story is slowly opening till it explodes with every episodes until the climax at the end. The development of the characters, the acting itself, amazing. These characters will be forever engraved in my heart.
The cinematography has pulled me in from the first trailer, wonderful quality, coloring, shots. The location is architecture house in the tropical Thai forest, which also supports the story and the characters. The OST and accompanying music fit the mood greatly.
Some of many quotes I loved:
Quote: "Some ppl will never see us as their equals."
Quote: "It's just tolerance, not acceptance."
Quote: "People may live in the same world, but people experience it differently. "
Quote: "Sometimes we can't change people, because some people just don't change. "
Quote: "You shouldn't force your views and think for others."
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When the man found the 52-hertz whale that lives in a mountain
The acting performances from the three of them made the drama more remarkable. Despite shooting in a limited location, episodes, and casts; the outcome was insanely great. Pond with his long hair and exposed chest is legendary. I am drooling at how sexy he is but more importantly, in awe of how great he is with the dramatic exchange of lines with Uncle In and his mother. A boy who is seeking an answer to the death of his father but eventually falls in love with his father’s true love. A complicated flow of events but I am buying it.Nike, as Uncle In, is the definition of a daddy. I can’t blame Wang for shooting a fiery glare on those tight muscles. Both of them are too hot to handle. The more episodes I’ve watched, the deeper I wanted them to kiss. Those stares sent signals of them craving to eat each other but holding back because of their tangled relationship. The sexual tension is high and showcases a perfect atmosphere to convey the feelings of their characters,
They also introduced me to the story of a 52-hertz whale which is sad knowing how isolated it is while patiently waiting for someone to reach its place. It was a prominent concept in the drama as it visualizes the life of Uncle In. Not being together at the end was understandable and I love how the finale ended with taglines representing the lessons we got from the three characters; Wang, In, and the noisy mother. This has already carved their uniqueness in the BL history and I salute them for bringing a new trope to BL fans.
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Most intense heartbreaking series ever
"We were just an inch away from each other. We were so close it felt like we could touch. But we couldn't because of the 180 degrees longitude that separated us."Every line cuts deep. An hour has passed, but still, I'm emotionally pierced by the circumstances they had to face. Added with despairing instrumentals and cinematic shots, this series stands out above the rest.
I give Pond (Wang) my extreme wish to have his success in this industry. He is a one-of-a-kind that you can only find once in a lifetime. No doubts! His terrific acting balanced with the other two great veteran actors. With only five characters (two of them just shown for only a minute entirely), I could still give them a higher rating than 10/10 if I could.
Also, how could they have the perfect title for this? Even reading the title hurts the hell out of me.
A DEFINITELY MUST-WATCH SERIES! I can guarantee your precious time won't be wasted.
(PS: Can we have a Season 2? Let someone accidentally trip up and cross the line that separates?)
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poetic and emotionally profound
180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us" is a poetic and emotionally profound Thai film directed by Nueng Dharmajiva. It explores themes of love, loss, and reconciliation through the intimate relationship between a mother and her son. With stunning cinematography and a dreamlike narrative, the film delves into past wounds and personal transformations, offering a deeply touching and introspective experience. Its slow-burn storytelling and evocative atmosphere make it a unique and mesmerizing watch for those who appreciate thought-provoking cinemaI was a little worried about the story because of its controversy, but they made the right decisions for it, so I am rating this high. The acting was very good—haven't seen this good acting in a long time. Closest score to 10 I have ever given.
(review number 100, yaay)
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Strange Yet Refreshing BL
First off, I will say that i have watched A TON of BL's over the years from; Thailand, Japan, and S.Korea. Also, being gay myself and out for the past 30yrs to a very supportive family i consider myself truly blessed. However, this was one strange drama i had difficulty digesting. For starters, the mother and son relationship is quite odd to say the least. She looks at her son not as her child but more the emotional lover she never had when she was married to the son's father. She is an extremely selfish and insecure individual who only cares about her own feelings. She tells here son throughout the drama how much she loves and adores him. Yet that love she claims to have for him is really based on when it's "convenient" for her. Meanwhile, her son is suffering deeply about his own personal feelings and identity, the loss of his dad, and trying to comfort his uncle all at the same time. He suspects that his uncle had a relationship with his dad and learns the truth of it as the drama plays itself out. And once he learns the truth about it from his uncle. He starts realizing more and more that he is also gay like his uncle. The acting and music throughout was superb. And i didn't realize until after watching it that the actor Pond Ponlawit who played Wang actually sung the OST for this drama. You can find it easily on YouTube by typing his real name and the name of this drama's OST. However, i felt a bit uneasy with the relationship part of the story. The nephew falling in love with his uncle but i think it was more like a "daddy figure" for him. And thankfully nothing overtly sexual happened between the two of them as that would have just been VERY weird indeed. Also, the mother looking at her son more as the emotional lover she never had instead of treating him as her child. I'm trying not to give everything away about it. As you have to watch it for yourself to form your own opinions. But if you can get past the mother/son uncle/nephew aspects. It's truly a different type of BL drama that is quite touching. Hitting on a bevy of emotional aspects. Everything from; inner struggles, identity issues, loss, sacrifice, insecurity, and selfishness are ALL abound in this drama. I highly recommend it as it was a refreshing change from "the norm" that Asian BL's are noted for and typically deliver.Was this review helpful to you?
