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PM: a jewel produced through the lens of art and aesthetics.
Shakespeare wouldn't feel embarrassed signing this brilliant series. Really Perfect!Many have tried to reduce and drag PM into a small, unfounded discussion about misogyny, when what is really in scene are the dichotomies of human nature, light and darkness. What is most curious about this criticism is that it is an unequivocally matriarchal story in which men, naturally arrogant and oppressive as a reflection of the education and culture of the time, when they get married, they become docile husbands to their wives, all of whom are very strong-willed women. This transformation does not harm the dignity of men, but balances the forces between man and woman.
The series manages to bring together all human virtues, innocence, honor, compassion, generosity, in counterpoint with villainy, misunderstandings, family intrigues, compromising pasts, murders, revenge. I identify, in PM, traces of Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies. But if you ask me how similar these works are, the answer is simple. Shakespeare's work builds plots exploring virtues, human flaws, intrigues and surprising twists, whose stage is the intra-family and palace life, of society in all its shades. Perfect Match has the same atmosphere.
The plot has the merit of, from a single thread (the Li family), weaving an intricate network that begins at home and expands to other layers of society, until reaching the powerful.
The series is a light and very fun comedy, with a dynamic rhythm that unfolds in many twists. Like all comedy, it also has its space for tears, whether in lyrical scenes that address the sensitive side of human beings, or in scenes that bring out the painful side of life.
The PM scenes are constructed with theatrical logic, in small spaces and intimate actions, such as the garden, the rooms, the meals, even palatial and noble environments, is framed in a small spatial perspective, giving the feeling of proximity that we have in the theater. I also highlight the theatrical way of acting of three burlesque characters in particular: Madam Li (Ni Hong Jie), Le Shan (Huangyang Tian Tian) and Fan Liang Han (Huang Cheng Chi), with their facial and body expressions, vocalization, reactions, gestures, temperaments, performed with exaggeration, exacerbation, are theatrical concepts that enrich the characters' dynamics and color the narrative. The scene cuts resemble the curtain closing. This combination takes us into the scene, as a local spectator.
I could not fail to mention the first daughter Shou Hua in the context of the non-negotiable defense of woman's dignity. This character does not seem to be understood in her human greatness, and this incomprehension has made her the target of many unfair criticisms, since what some viewers consider to be resentment, grudge, inability to love is, in fact, the non-negotiable defense of woman's dgnity. Shou Hua has a monastic aura and deserves to be understood as a woman who asserts her dignity at a time when women were nullified and according to the law of the time, they were worth less than men. The ironic detail of this criticism made against Shou Hua is that precisely the women who accuse the series of misogeny are the ones who most criticize this character who gives stature and dignity to women. In my opinion, she is the best-crafted and most beautiful character in the series. It is very rare for series to portray women with this depth and delicacy.
The family is the microorganism that constitutes society, PM shows these entrails with mastery. PM is a precious mosaic of microstories that involve a sophisticated cocktail of successes and mistakes inherent to life that gain dimension and life of their own in the expansion of family ties. These microstories have no other theme than virtues and human miseries. In this complex cocktail, everything related to human behavior is on the screen.
In addition to PM having visual beauty, with photography that offers aesthetic pleasure, its narrative interweaves the best of Chinese literature (present not only in quotations from works, but in the deep and delicate universe of Chinese Poetry, recited throughout the series), painting, philosophy. This artistic conception amplifies the beauty of PM's messages.
PM portrays the daily lives of ordinary people, like us. The seesaw of the characters' human flaws and virtues oscillates, and this gives grace and life to the plot, but at the same time, it leaves open the possibility of everyone redeeming themselves.
Why should we be such strict judges? We all deserve this chance.
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An intelligent, coherent and impeccable plot. It is a production made with a refined sense of Art.
Blood and tears alternate with extreme strength and beauty, cruelty and Poetry interact with vigor and grace. Human turpitude, vile ambitions, virtues, courage, lightness and fragility move in an absolutely precise game of chess. From an aesthetic perspective, the use of theatrical concepts is simply genial, including Greek theater elements in its conception. This theatricality causes a great visual and sensorial impact, enormously expanding emotional strength and plastic beauty. The characters are very well structured. The intricate relationship between the characters, despite being complex and rich in details, is easy to assimilate. Music is powerful and has important role, endowed with melodies and lyrics of great beauty and strength, it is an essential ally that enhances feelings, sensations, perceptions, emotions. The beauty of the images also impacts. Numerous scenes stand out as paintings that resemble masterpieces of Chinese painting. Everything done with extreme subtlety, from the point of view of ancient Chinese culture, its discreet, gentle and delicate art, its relationship with the mystique of death, its profound ability to observe the most imperceptible detail. How much beauty is the tea rite, a philosophical and poetic act. The actors’ synergy is enchanting. The performance of the actress Wu Jin Yan (A'Li), is simply masterful. It demands versatility in all the nuances of the immense human universe of pain, helplessness, loneliness, humiliation, indignation, love, joy, generosity, overcoming, hope. She's independent character, elevates women and removes them from the unfair and imposed passive and defenseless role. Also masterful is the performance of Wang Xing Yue (Duke Su). Through exclusively subtle nuances in facial expression, gaze, body gestures (as manly as he is kind) and voice intonation, he vigorously brings out a universe of feelings that dialogue with the viewer and leads them into this universe. The couple has an overwhelming chemistry, with a relationship that progresses with intensity, making the blood flow boil and the heart beat strong. This excepcional plot has the power to engage the viewer within its world. The plot flows with agility and reconciles hope with justice. I'm grateful for the aesthetic and emotional enjoyment of this series. I reluctantly leave the screen richer than when I entered this universe of ''The double". I'll miss it...Was this review helpful to you?
A dive into human nature, your search for yourself and the meaning of life
A masterpiece full of poetry, human beauty, intelligent plot It is a deep dive into human nature, its conflicts, the search for oneself and the meaning of life, based on the complex universe of family and social relationships. The plot unfolds in the magnificent setting of important South Korean cities full of history, culture, rites, spirituality, cuisine. This set of aspects plays the fundamental role of connecting people with their own stories and alterity. Despite the different and multiple personal experiences of each character, the existential dialectic is a preponderant factor that unifies all the characters, reflecting on the existential dialectic of the spectator himself, who sees himself, unavoidably, as part of the plot, reflecting on his own existence. All the actors deserve applause. However, actress Lee Na Young's performance is sublime!We get emotional and laugh, we get involved with the softness of the story, we recognize ourselves in the characters. Park Ha Gyeong not only opens her own door to go out into the world, but she also opens our doors, inviting us to walk, eat, let our minds wander and be comfortable anywhere...
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