This is the second vertical AI BL drama I've sat through, and honestly I went in knowing better. I had it on while I was doing cardio at the gym, and what struck me was just how much the plot echoed the last one I watched. Same step brother romance angle, same mystery girlfriend showing up near the end, same extra guy pining after one of the leads. Genuinely the only thing going for it was the runtime, the whole thing wrapped up in forty five minutes flat. The setup kicks off with Finn moving schools because his mom just married into money. He finds out his new step brother Aiden goes to the same place, and he's warned to keep his distance from him. Their first run in at school is rocky, just like you'd expect, but there's this odd pull between them neither can shake off. Finn keeps telling himself not to read into it because Aiden's straight and openly homophobic. Things shift when some kids start bullying Finn and the student council president, Ryan, steps in to ...
Benjamin is a 30-ish neurotic, bit lonely and a "weird" young film-maker. He is very stressed about his second feature film. He is uncertain about everything and has issues of self-loathing. Through his publicist, he meets Noah at a party and instantly falls for him. Noah is young budding French singer. Benjamin makes all sorts of lovely small talks and pretty soon they are hanging out, almost falling in love and Benjamin's insecurities prevent him from taking this relationship to next level. Primarily because of his own insecurities, instability, bad movie review etc. The two of them go in and out of taking the next step while Benjamin maneuvers around his life with his best friend Simon, his publicist and his co-actor from his previously directed film. The end is super sweet.
As I mentioned above, when the film started, I was a bit wary of Benjamin's character but with time when you get to know him, you fall more and more in love with him. You can totally see why Noah and Benjamin would connect at a level where so called 'normal' people would not be able to relate. The theme of loneliness, human connection and the struggle of letting love in is something that we all at some point can relate to. Love is complex and even more so when you a bit different. The biggest star of the film are the dialogues and how Benjamin has to pretty much say out loud whatever is going on in his head and that makes for some great entertainment. Its a mix of embarrassed style, a very self-centred man who is pitiabe but also adorable. As actors everyone does a fantastic job. Its hard to define the genre of this film since it somewhat falls into romantic comedy but its not comedy. Its funny in a lot of areas but not strictly comedy. It's Benjamin's insecurities, which also reflect in the film he is making, keep making you as an audience more invested in the film. The director creates sweet contrast in the scenes between Benjamin and Noah, as Benjamin is simultaneously terrified and elated about being part of something he can’t guarantee will have a happy ending.
I really really enjoyed the film. It not great but a film that makes you fall in love with its characters is definitely something special. (7.5/10)
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