This review may contain spoilers
“As long as there is love, there is always hope.”
I probably wouldn’t have watched this movie if it weren’t for the BL Watch Challenge and I’m honestly so grateful I did. It ended up becoming one of my all-time favorites. I’m not even sure why it hit me so hard, but it did.
It’s a beautifully layered family drama that also includes a tender romance between two teenagers. What really stood out to me was how it captured the unpredictable nature of love in all its forms: love for family, for music, for someone special, for friends. It explores relationships like grandson and grandmother, mother and children, romantic partners… and dives into themes like grief, sexual awakening, peer pressure, family responsibilities, and the pain of being apart from those we care about.
The characters are so well-written and feel incredibly real. The storytelling is so delicate and heartfelt that the nearly three-hour runtime flew by in a blink. There are so many unforgettable scenes, thanks to the amazing cast. Mario Maurer (Tong) and Pchy Witwisit (Mew) were phenomenal, giving such heartfelt, natural performances, especially Mario in that emotional scene with Tarn Kanya (Ying), where he breaks down crying, struggling with his identity and the pressure from his friends. My heart shattered when Tong tearfully asked Ying, “What am I, Ying? Everyone’s upset with me because I don’t know what I am.” That moment was raw and powerful. Their chemistry isn’t loud or over-the-top. It’s subtle, but incredibly powerful. You really feel the connection between them in every scene
And I have to highlight Nok Sinjai (Moira from Shine) as Tong’s mother. She was absolutely brilliant. Every time she appeared on screen, you could feel the loneliness and pain of a mother trying to stay strong through family tragedy. Her eyes alone conveyed so much emotion. She might come off as strict or sensitive, but deep down, she loves her husband and son fiercely.
I cried a lot during the final scenes, it felt like a part of me broke, but at the same time, I was left with a strangely pleasant, bittersweet feeling. It wasn’t the right time for them. Tong’s family was still grieving, and his father hadn’t healed. Not every first love ends happily. But the open ending carries a spark of hope, a possibility. When Mew places the last piece on Santa Klaus, sits on his bed, and says “Thank you,” it felt like he was thanking Tong for the memories, for the love they shared, and for loving him even if they couldn’t be together. Tong gave him hope that maybe, someday, things could change. And in my heart, I imagine them meeting again, older, wiser, and finally ending up together. Because “As long as there is love, there is always hope.”
And to wrap it up: the soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous. It expresses everything the characters feel but can’t quite say out loud.
It’s a beautifully layered family drama that also includes a tender romance between two teenagers. What really stood out to me was how it captured the unpredictable nature of love in all its forms: love for family, for music, for someone special, for friends. It explores relationships like grandson and grandmother, mother and children, romantic partners… and dives into themes like grief, sexual awakening, peer pressure, family responsibilities, and the pain of being apart from those we care about.
The characters are so well-written and feel incredibly real. The storytelling is so delicate and heartfelt that the nearly three-hour runtime flew by in a blink. There are so many unforgettable scenes, thanks to the amazing cast. Mario Maurer (Tong) and Pchy Witwisit (Mew) were phenomenal, giving such heartfelt, natural performances, especially Mario in that emotional scene with Tarn Kanya (Ying), where he breaks down crying, struggling with his identity and the pressure from his friends. My heart shattered when Tong tearfully asked Ying, “What am I, Ying? Everyone’s upset with me because I don’t know what I am.” That moment was raw and powerful. Their chemistry isn’t loud or over-the-top. It’s subtle, but incredibly powerful. You really feel the connection between them in every scene
And I have to highlight Nok Sinjai (Moira from Shine) as Tong’s mother. She was absolutely brilliant. Every time she appeared on screen, you could feel the loneliness and pain of a mother trying to stay strong through family tragedy. Her eyes alone conveyed so much emotion. She might come off as strict or sensitive, but deep down, she loves her husband and son fiercely.
I cried a lot during the final scenes, it felt like a part of me broke, but at the same time, I was left with a strangely pleasant, bittersweet feeling. It wasn’t the right time for them. Tong’s family was still grieving, and his father hadn’t healed. Not every first love ends happily. But the open ending carries a spark of hope, a possibility. When Mew places the last piece on Santa Klaus, sits on his bed, and says “Thank you,” it felt like he was thanking Tong for the memories, for the love they shared, and for loving him even if they couldn’t be together. Tong gave him hope that maybe, someday, things could change. And in my heart, I imagine them meeting again, older, wiser, and finally ending up together. Because “As long as there is love, there is always hope.”
And to wrap it up: the soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous. It expresses everything the characters feel but can’t quite say out loud.
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