The truth untold.
» [Review # 12] «
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Filter is a drama capable of healing wounds you thought were forgotten.
It has it all: drama, sci-fi elements, love (not just romantic love), thought-provoking questions, and comic relief.
A story is not just the narration of fictional events. It's also a piece of work capable of moving the viewer to tears, getting someone to think and live the event narrated. Filter, with its memorable yet ordinary characters, does justice to the everyday struggles and insecurities of modern society.
▶︎ This story is dedicated to the ordinary you and me. ◀
What happens when you grow up thinking someone else is always better than you, more attractive than you, more clever than you? You become an adult with profound scars who belittles yourself. No good can enter your life, so you get used to the mediocrity.
What if I were cleverer, more beautiful, and more social? Then the others could see my true self?
But I'm not. Until I acquire the ability to be the best version of myself.
A hyper-technological device gives me the power to alter my appearance, burying my insecurities behind a filter.
They say beauty does not matter, but it does. It matters so much that I could become addicted to the overwhelming sensation I feel whenever I change to a better version of myself.
But a life built on lies is still worth living?
▶︎ Even without a magical bangle, my eyes had filters. ◀
Filter is not just the title. It depicts the reality human beings live. We don't want to face it, but we all go on with our lives and make decisions based on filtered pieces of reality.
When we meet someone, first impressions shape our feelings towards that person. Time could change these feelings, but it's not set in stone.
The story of Su Chengcheng and Tang Qi conveys this possibility. A relationship that spans years was founded on misconception and prejudice. And here comes one of those questions: if they never got to know each other thanks to the magical bangle, would they have the chance to clear these misunderstandings? Probably not.
▶︎ Final considerations. ◀
NOTE: depending on your sensitivity, you might find some things mentioned as spoiler.
Filter had the potential to be a hidden gem in Chinese Dramaland. And, to some extent, it was. However, some writing decisions and a few loose ends left me dissatisfied.
1. Poor writing decisions: actions taken by some characters didn't seem coherent with the psychology of that character. That resulted in a sloppy conclusion that seemed an attempt to take off the burden of a dubious and incoherent choice made by the scriptwriter.
2. Loose ends: not everything was addressed properly by the end of the drama. I would have liked to know more about the bangle - its origin, who created it, and why - as well as the mysterious grandma. I suppose they couldn't go deeper due to the censorship. Nonetheless, what a pity.
3. Casting-wise, Li Landi seems miscast. Viewers can see how beautiful she is, despite being made look 'uglier' for plot purposes. The only explanation I could give myself was this: the character of Su Chengcheng was never intended to be ugly, as she is a fine lady. It was the lack of self-confidence and the perception of those around her that made her look less good-looking. In that regard, even this shows how the eyes of those we love have filters.
PROS:
- Questioning the standard of beauty and challenging the ideal beauty in modern society were much appreciated;
- The lack of self-esteem of Chengcheng and why she got accustomed to using the bangle/filter were portrayed properly;
- Tang Qi is a green forest
- The second couple is cute, even though I wasn't that much invested in them
CONS:
- The second couple's sub-plot made me roll my eyes towards the end of the drama due to a stupid and sloppy writing decision;
- The whole bangle-like filter thing went down the drain: so many questions, so few answers.
- Su Chengcheng, portrayed by Li Landi, being a meh girl is a bit ridiculous.
0:00 ─〇───── 0:00
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
Filter is a drama capable of healing wounds you thought were forgotten.
It has it all: drama, sci-fi elements, love (not just romantic love), thought-provoking questions, and comic relief.
A story is not just the narration of fictional events. It's also a piece of work capable of moving the viewer to tears, getting someone to think and live the event narrated. Filter, with its memorable yet ordinary characters, does justice to the everyday struggles and insecurities of modern society.
▶︎ This story is dedicated to the ordinary you and me. ◀
What happens when you grow up thinking someone else is always better than you, more attractive than you, more clever than you? You become an adult with profound scars who belittles yourself. No good can enter your life, so you get used to the mediocrity.
What if I were cleverer, more beautiful, and more social? Then the others could see my true self?
But I'm not. Until I acquire the ability to be the best version of myself.
A hyper-technological device gives me the power to alter my appearance, burying my insecurities behind a filter.
They say beauty does not matter, but it does. It matters so much that I could become addicted to the overwhelming sensation I feel whenever I change to a better version of myself.
But a life built on lies is still worth living?
▶︎ Even without a magical bangle, my eyes had filters. ◀
Filter is not just the title. It depicts the reality human beings live. We don't want to face it, but we all go on with our lives and make decisions based on filtered pieces of reality.
When we meet someone, first impressions shape our feelings towards that person. Time could change these feelings, but it's not set in stone.
The story of Su Chengcheng and Tang Qi conveys this possibility. A relationship that spans years was founded on misconception and prejudice. And here comes one of those questions: if they never got to know each other thanks to the magical bangle, would they have the chance to clear these misunderstandings? Probably not.
▶︎ Final considerations. ◀
NOTE: depending on your sensitivity, you might find some things mentioned as spoiler.
Filter had the potential to be a hidden gem in Chinese Dramaland. And, to some extent, it was. However, some writing decisions and a few loose ends left me dissatisfied.
1. Poor writing decisions: actions taken by some characters didn't seem coherent with the psychology of that character. That resulted in a sloppy conclusion that seemed an attempt to take off the burden of a dubious and incoherent choice made by the scriptwriter.
2. Loose ends: not everything was addressed properly by the end of the drama. I would have liked to know more about the bangle - its origin, who created it, and why - as well as the mysterious grandma. I suppose they couldn't go deeper due to the censorship. Nonetheless, what a pity.
3. Casting-wise, Li Landi seems miscast. Viewers can see how beautiful she is, despite being made look 'uglier' for plot purposes. The only explanation I could give myself was this: the character of Su Chengcheng was never intended to be ugly, as she is a fine lady. It was the lack of self-confidence and the perception of those around her that made her look less good-looking. In that regard, even this shows how the eyes of those we love have filters.
PROS:
- Questioning the standard of beauty and challenging the ideal beauty in modern society were much appreciated;
- The lack of self-esteem of Chengcheng and why she got accustomed to using the bangle/filter were portrayed properly;
- Tang Qi is a green forest
- The second couple is cute, even though I wasn't that much invested in them
CONS:
- The second couple's sub-plot made me roll my eyes towards the end of the drama due to a stupid and sloppy writing decision;
- The whole bangle-like filter thing went down the drain: so many questions, so few answers.
- Su Chengcheng, portrayed by Li Landi, being a meh girl is a bit ridiculous.
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