redshoe1000

it's a little difficult to define this drama. in all honesty. it should be a mess, given the variety of actors, storylines, and politics, but it is a great watch, with engaging, well-developed characters and an approach to history that is surprisingly deft through most of its run.

so in this beautifully shot Republican era drama, we have a mismatched bunch of actors from liuliang all the way through to well-regarded veterans and character actors. there's little to criticise about any of them. even where the direction may feel a little heavy-handed or the exposition a little too obvious, the ship is steadied by Wang Yang at the core, as stubborn but sympathetic official Shen Tunan.

the story is initially simple. exceedingly intelligent country boy, played with great sensitivity by Wang Yibo, comes to the big city to make his fortune in finance and finds a family, a job, a mentor and a purpose. of course, this isn't how it plays out. one by one, circumstances and individuals knock out each of the underpinnings of Wei Ruolai's faith in the system and in himself.

there will be times that everything feels entirely too unrealistic. there will be characters that are altogether too much. there will be politics that is far too unsubtle. but these things feel irrelevant given the feisty pace, the solidity of the overarching plot, grounded by the history and political imperatives of then and now, and the exquisite charm and pathos of the many and varied cast.

overall thoughts: a worthwhile story that deserves all of its accolades.