Hellen
I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Colibel
Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.
Raetsonwe
Redundant and unnecessary.
Ceticultsot
Beautiful, moving film.
Irishchatter
I thought the story dragged on like i feel the whole thing was just confusing to understand really even if I had English subs to back me on what they are saying. There's better Asian films then this tbh, it just didn't click with me on this one. I did want to like it since it seemed to have such positive reviews but I'm not one of them I'm afraid!
foxface
I enjoyed this film. I thought the two lead actors had great chemistry and gave their character's relationship a lot of empathy and made the audience stay with them through the ups and downs of their relationship.There is a bit of time travel in this film and at times it seems disjointed, but then you figure out you are going back and forth between present and past time.The best aspect of this film is the dialog between the two leads, especially when they break up on the eve of Handong's wedding. Handong had problems coming to terms with who he was, while Lan Yu understood his and Handong's nature and accepted it. Lan yu seemed the more wiser soul between the two, despite his lack of wealth and worldly sophistication.This film also incorporated the importance of friendship, historical political events, and class differences.There has been a lot of speculation about Lan yu's boyfriend. I think he didn't exist, and his description of him, sounded a lot like Lan yu. A lot of people make up imaginary loves to ex loves, just from a sense of pride or to arouse jealousy.All in all, this film is an examination of a history of a relationship, that stands the trials of what time, life, and the lovers do to it.
moondog-8
As someone who has had two or three boyfriends in "The New China", this film is very accurate, not just about gay men in China -- but also about China today with its real estate booms, and banking scandals, and drinking lots of Johnny Walker Black Label if you're rich enough to afford it. And as someone who has been a professional filmmaker, I think the work is well done. I didn't know that Stanley Kwan cited Sirk and Ozu as influences, but I can see them when I look at this movie. It's got a good narrative pacing and intelligent framing, two qualities I associate with Sirk and Ozu. You can't passively consume this movie; if you try, you'll be bored. But by meditatively viewing this film, there are some good rewards that you will feel by the final fade-out.
raymond-15
Basically, this is the story about a well-to-do Beijing businessman with questionable business principles who enjoys the company of young male students whom he treats as his play thing and pays them for their sexual participation.Lan Yu a somewhat shy architectural student attending a University in Beijing is enticed into the businessman's home where he is subsequently seduced.In the ensuing months the relationship deepens and they become lovers meeting at every opportunity. The emotions are subtly portrayed by the two actors. We hang on every word spoken and get caught up in their feelings. "We must never become too close", says the businessman. "It is right and proper for a man to have a wife and children". Such are his thoughts....Secretive though their relationship may be, it is never sordid. They feel so relaxed in each other's company. The tiny rooms and narrow passageways are almost claustrophobic. Note the device of photographing reflections in mirrors so often throughout the film. An interesting technique which is constantly repeated. In a mirror you see a person lying in bed. Beyond the camera you hear a door closing. You know that some one has left the room, though you do not see it. And note the frequent use of close-ups so important in emotional scenes. A hug, a kiss, a sob, a tear....so meaningful...and each emotion tugs at your heart.Shakespeare said "Parting is such sweet sorrow". Here we have such sorrow, but then the joy of re-uniting, followed alas! by a new tragedy that parts them once more.The final scene when the businessman stops his car at the building site and then speeds on ever so quickly with the concrete pillars flashing by is a fitting ending in itself. I think the song detracts from the mood and would be better omitted.