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...
Marlo is visiting Berlin during a break from his studies. After he arrives he goes into the city to talk around. There he catches the eye of another young man, Kirill, when they both cross the road and their hands touch. There's a flicker of interest. It's the kind of thing a more experienced person might immediately pick up on and pursue, but neither of these youths has that degree of confidence. Instead, they watch one another from a distance, meet again by supposed accident, start up an awkward conversation. They hang out and decide to meet the next day. Neither man knows whats in store. On their third day, when Marlo visits Kirill’s dorm, they do end up getting physical with each other. Its a moment of awkwardness because neither of them has done this before. Once the lovemaking is over, Kirill seems more distant and odder than ever. As a viewer I cannot figure out what’s with Kirill’s behavior. Thankfully the film ends with both guys walking together in the city of Berlin.
There is a lot going on unspoken on in this movie as these two men deal with discovering their sexuality and sometimes it really is not clear what it is. It does get frustrating at times because the film is too slow; even for my liking. I liked the portions when the 2 start talking to each other and get to know the other person. There is awkwardness yet intimacy between them. It's one thing to be open to the prospect of same sex activity; it's another to confess a desire for a particular person and negotiate everything that goes with that. Acting wise, both the actors are brilliant and do full justice to their part. They have to speak through silence and their eyes. The city of Berlin is also shown in background quite well while we see our protagonists making their own connection in this city.
Largely the film remains observational and mundane in its approach. Good and short duration, however, a tad too slow, which is a pity as the two boy’s characters had great possibilities. (5.5/10)
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