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...
The film is centered by this gay coupe Adam and Marklin coming up on their fifth anniversary. Marklin is a very successful social media influencer, documenting most moments of his life to make a living. Adam on the other hand is a ghost painter, who paints on behalf of a renowned painter, except she is the one who makes money out of it. The couple is going through an itch and neither can pin point to where the problem is. Is it their love, is it their career, is it marriage or something else. We also meet their gal pals and delve a little bit into their lives. Haley is a tutor for an underachieving teenager who’s in love with her and she is trying her best to not cross the line with him, and her friend Cammy is dating an itinerant homeless man because she has low self-esteem. We also meet Adam's best friend Elizabeth who has been with her boyfriend for 15 years and discusses pros and cons with Adam. In all this we find that Marklin is still the caretaker of his ex-bf, who is suffering through a terminal illness. This forces the couple to tackle their issues head on and with maturity.
I am sure, we all know someone out there who are in a situation like our main actors. A couple who has been together for a while, questioning their life, their choices, are they with the right person and what's next. They want security but not the one that comes with marriage or children. So what does that mean? The film doesn't give answers but it manages to connect with so many of us. Sure they have intimacy issues after having been together this long and they talk openly about this with their friends individually, but none of them give an answer. And that's ok, because there is no right answer. We all deal with our issues as individuals. Whats right for me maybe totally wrong for someone else. How can we judge? As actors, everyone does a good job. Haley and Cammy are hilarious and al their scenes are magical. The one liners that Haley comes up are the best. Similarly, I am glad Elizabeth's character was shown with some maturity. A close confidant and a forever friend for Adam, she brings calmness in his life. Adam and Marklin make a good couple. It's refreshing to see they both acknowledging issues but then never going over the top to come to solutions. Talking like mature adults is the only way out.
As mentioned before, This film is no great shakes by any means. it's a simple warm comedy but something in that connected with me. It may or may not do the same for you, but I think it deserves a watch. (6.5/10)
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