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Roller Coaster Ride
Before I get into my review, I think it’s important that I speak to the ‘complainers’ about the stoic and emotionless face that I’ve read in the comments for this drama.
This man works for a department in the government that specializes in getting criminals to confess, digging through evidence which included exhumed remains, espionage and many other extremely unpleasant tasks. He is constantly under threat from corrupt officials, enemies of the state and criminals. He watched his wife die from poisoning. And y’all want him to walk around with a happy smiley face or show his emotions all the time? Any display of emotion could get himself, his coworkers and loved ones into serious trouble, so he has had to learn that his face must not give away his thoughts. Seriously, think a bit about a characters part and what would be required of them before you throw out remarks about his acting skills and insult his abilities. I have never seen this actor before, so I’m not a die hard fan, but his replication of this character was spot on and he doesn’t deserve the nasty comments.
Now that that is off my chest, on with the review.
The premise of this story was pretty interesting. Societal pressure and limitations in roles for women versus constant struggles to rise to the top to gain favor from men in charge of family, politics, and general life. Women banding together to fight back using the skills they once used on each other. It’s layered with the corruption of officials and family members, and filled in with letting go of the pain inflicted on children because of familial power struggles and cemented together with overcoming trust issues and finding home and love.
That’s a lot. While the plot had some holes and some acting was not top notch, the story was intriguing in its own way. There were gaps that never got filled in (or left on the editing room floor), some bad set designs (please…when it snows, it gets on people’s clothing, in their hair, they can see their breath, and don’t sit for hours on frozen stone steps without their buns going numb. Obvious things, but not a big destruction.
The FL was the main character, and the actress portraying her did a very good job of letting her emotions show in her eyes.
However, the performances that stole the show were the FL’s mother and father.
The mothers role was nothing short of brilliant. I can’t even begin to describe what an incredible job she did. The minute she saw hope in her situation she catapulted from monster to vulnerable and it was not only visible on her face, but her eyes, posture and facial features as well.
Tge FL’s father was a truly despicable, self-centered psychopath who used everyone, including his wives and children to take the fall for his action. He could cry and grovel in a heartbeat, yet turn around two seconds later and all of that was gone.
My favorite character though, had to be little A’Zhi, the ML’s daughter. Her purity and innocence radiated from the screen in every scene she was in. It was her simple untarnished heart was filled with love and the little actress was a joy to watch.
If you’re looking for a traditional romance, look elsewhere. This is not a romance. It is a drama of intrigue and manipulation, and romance plays a small part in it.
If you want a story that will keep you guessing, and loving or hating a character and causing you to hold your breath from time to time, give it a try. You just might like this.
This man works for a department in the government that specializes in getting criminals to confess, digging through evidence which included exhumed remains, espionage and many other extremely unpleasant tasks. He is constantly under threat from corrupt officials, enemies of the state and criminals. He watched his wife die from poisoning. And y’all want him to walk around with a happy smiley face or show his emotions all the time? Any display of emotion could get himself, his coworkers and loved ones into serious trouble, so he has had to learn that his face must not give away his thoughts. Seriously, think a bit about a characters part and what would be required of them before you throw out remarks about his acting skills and insult his abilities. I have never seen this actor before, so I’m not a die hard fan, but his replication of this character was spot on and he doesn’t deserve the nasty comments.
Now that that is off my chest, on with the review.
The premise of this story was pretty interesting. Societal pressure and limitations in roles for women versus constant struggles to rise to the top to gain favor from men in charge of family, politics, and general life. Women banding together to fight back using the skills they once used on each other. It’s layered with the corruption of officials and family members, and filled in with letting go of the pain inflicted on children because of familial power struggles and cemented together with overcoming trust issues and finding home and love.
That’s a lot. While the plot had some holes and some acting was not top notch, the story was intriguing in its own way. There were gaps that never got filled in (or left on the editing room floor), some bad set designs (please…when it snows, it gets on people’s clothing, in their hair, they can see their breath, and don’t sit for hours on frozen stone steps without their buns going numb. Obvious things, but not a big destruction.
The FL was the main character, and the actress portraying her did a very good job of letting her emotions show in her eyes.
However, the performances that stole the show were the FL’s mother and father.
The mothers role was nothing short of brilliant. I can’t even begin to describe what an incredible job she did. The minute she saw hope in her situation she catapulted from monster to vulnerable and it was not only visible on her face, but her eyes, posture and facial features as well.
Tge FL’s father was a truly despicable, self-centered psychopath who used everyone, including his wives and children to take the fall for his action. He could cry and grovel in a heartbeat, yet turn around two seconds later and all of that was gone.
My favorite character though, had to be little A’Zhi, the ML’s daughter. Her purity and innocence radiated from the screen in every scene she was in. It was her simple untarnished heart was filled with love and the little actress was a joy to watch.
If you’re looking for a traditional romance, look elsewhere. This is not a romance. It is a drama of intrigue and manipulation, and romance plays a small part in it.
If you want a story that will keep you guessing, and loving or hating a character and causing you to hold your breath from time to time, give it a try. You just might like this.
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