This review may contain spoilers
Like a breath of fresh air, beautiful coming of age story....and yes, absolutely worth the hype
This is so pretty, and refreshingly unpretentious, with a storytelling that feels almost lyrical...the tension and anticipation all through, for the 'dam to break' is plain beautiful,....and then when it finally overflows, it's so damn satisfying
BL-needle Score: 8.5. High BL-ness
They got most things right in this one, an arresting story and script (even though nothing new), stunning locales, beautiful cinematography, great editing, and acting.....I also loved the way they use euphemisms and symbols to depict the hurdles of a queer life and the unrelenting gaze of the disapproving society all around....
The elder brother and his constant attempts to drive a wedge and keep his friend and brother at a arm's length, strikes a raw nerve with me....reminding me of all those family and friends who go out of their way to try 'control' and suppress queer lives in the name of 'all for your good'.....even when well-intentioned, it is an absolute abuse of power and privileges
The story is one that most queer individuals will identify with.....about how queer people are afraid to live their authentic lives, how expressing and living even the most obvious and commonplace emotions feel like a huge hurdle...and how almost everybody around seem hell bent on keeping up the 'make-believe' given their own insecurities and an absolute lack of understanding and empathy.......but that kiss and the 'dam-break' at the very end, was like a befitting reply to all of that ....felt so effing good......
To me the recurrent visuals of two lychees, the sudden rains, and shaking of the water-laden trees seemed to symbolise the queer gaze, resisting inertia, shaking up the 'status quo' and refusal to 'do the expected'...
Update: They are releasing short Special Episodes now...treating us to the delight of everyday cute life of Chen Li and Xhiaozhi.....it gives off such a comforting and purr-y vibe..sigh..this is beyond cute... I just raised the score to 9
Definitely recommended.
BL-needle Score: 8.5. High BL-ness
They got most things right in this one, an arresting story and script (even though nothing new), stunning locales, beautiful cinematography, great editing, and acting.....I also loved the way they use euphemisms and symbols to depict the hurdles of a queer life and the unrelenting gaze of the disapproving society all around....
The elder brother and his constant attempts to drive a wedge and keep his friend and brother at a arm's length, strikes a raw nerve with me....reminding me of all those family and friends who go out of their way to try 'control' and suppress queer lives in the name of 'all for your good'.....even when well-intentioned, it is an absolute abuse of power and privileges
The story is one that most queer individuals will identify with.....about how queer people are afraid to live their authentic lives, how expressing and living even the most obvious and commonplace emotions feel like a huge hurdle...and how almost everybody around seem hell bent on keeping up the 'make-believe' given their own insecurities and an absolute lack of understanding and empathy.......but that kiss and the 'dam-break' at the very end, was like a befitting reply to all of that ....felt so effing good......
To me the recurrent visuals of two lychees, the sudden rains, and shaking of the water-laden trees seemed to symbolise the queer gaze, resisting inertia, shaking up the 'status quo' and refusal to 'do the expected'...
Update: They are releasing short Special Episodes now...treating us to the delight of everyday cute life of Chen Li and Xhiaozhi.....it gives off such a comforting and purr-y vibe..sigh..this is beyond cute... I just raised the score to 9
Definitely recommended.
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