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 ...
Will is an English twenty-year old wannabe soccer star who is in Berlin on his stag weekend. He ends up naked and handcuffed to a streetlight and is rescued by an older German Michael, who lives around the corner. Their physical chemistry is immediately evident, and within minutes Will and Michael are having sex in Michael’s gorgeous apartment. Only after that Will tells that he is straight, about to get married to his sweet heart in a couple of months. He occasionally enjoys company of men. Michael has recently been separated from his partner of many years. However, as their connection deepens and they begin to reveal more to one another, which raises the question of whether Will is in denial of his homosexuality or rather just scared of getting labelled by the society. As for Michael, we are left wondering whether his melancholic nature comes from loneliness or something even sadder. Despite having the most amazing connection, by the time morning comes in, Will feels a lot more emotional connect and tries to run away from a goof future possibility, leaving Michael in lurch, while questioning his own sexuality.
I am not sure why the title of the film, but the film was actually interesting to certain extent. the two leads were both gorgeous and had an amazing onscreen chemistry. Though their parts are written well, the film goes a bit into this preachy mode where Michael sort of educates Will on how he can possibly be gay and why is he so afraid of labels and shares his own story. The mid section of the film stretches beyond. a certain point and becomes a bit snoozy. Still, the story is layered delicately, and maps the very beginning of one man’s gay life while looking at another’s regrets concerning his. While it is clear that Will is struggling with internal and external pressures that suppress his sexuality, the film also emphasizes the fact that sexuality is by no means black and white for all. The film is a beautiful example and a moving depiction of instant attraction and the excitement that comes with it.
An interesting passionate love tale with a message for self-acceptance and not being bound by societal pressures. The film could have been a bit better to be most impactful, had it not been so slow. (6/10)
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