I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
Like a few other movies, 5 minutes into the movie I realize that I have seen this movie before. But what the heck, since I dont remember it anyway, might as well watch it. And it was frankly not that bad although lot of it did not make any sense.
Jackson, a blue haired, skinny LA poet works in a music store for his friend Sam, who owns the store. Jackson is infatuated with Billy, a guy whom he saw in an orgy party. One day he meets him but son realizes that he is into SnM with a famous singer for whom actually Jackson is writing lyrics. Meanwhile there is this good looking neighbor Derek, who seems to be completely in love with Jackson and keeps visiting the store just to look at him but obviously Jackson is completely clueless. One day he finds the courage and tells Jackson. They kiss but Jackson doesn't feel anything. Enters Jackson's cousin who is a typical straight guy. Jackson gets infatuated with him and seriously starts contemplating incest. But he is soon lured by one of his lesbian friends. A sudden twist happens in the story when San commits suicide and leaves a tape for Jackson mentioning that how much he loved him and since he knows he can never have him , he just doesn't want to live anymore. Jackson gets a shock by this and runs to Derek. He asks him if he still loves him. But when Derek asks does Jackson love him, he ays he can try and they hug. The movie ends soon.
So what was the whole point? I don't know. I think they were trying to depict that although you can be infatuated and think that you love some one but try to be compassionate for people who actually love you. There were no explanations given as to why everyone was all over Jackson. He was just some ordinary guy. A couple of full frontal nude shos was a good saving grace of the film. Acting wise it was strictly ok.
Neither exceptional but not completely awful. (5/10)
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