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...
Erasmus is a TV talk show/chef, raging camp old queen who lives with his producer boyfriend Paul of 10 years. They live in a huge mansion in Santa Fe, and very out of touch with reality (at least that's the feeling I got). They are visited by a young boy of 10 years old Angel, who announces himself as grandson of Erasmus and that he is there because his father was jailed. Paul is shocked and thats when Erasmus tells how this happened. Neither of them is ready to take the responsibility of the child, but slowly and steadily they start it and in fact unknowingly also enjoy it. Paul becomes more of a caretaker while Erasmus still remains the fun loving friendly grandad. The bond between the three is tested when the kid's father is released and he takes his son back. Turns out Paul and Erasmus were dealing with their own little issues as a couple and Paul decides to call it quits, but he can't leave Erasmus. They work on their relationship while still missing the kid a lot. A freak accident by the father while driving brings back Angel in their lives and finally they get custody of him.
As a queer comedy film, the idea must have been, what can be more funny than two neurotic gay men as parental figures? Personally, I thought it was alright executed. Yes, Erasmus was over the top and Paul was the balancing factor but together I think they made it work. I believe you have you see and interpret the characters for what they are supposed to be. Yes, the film starts with them dealing with an unexpected kid, but later come to have a new appreciation for their partnership, thanks to the nurturing spirit brought on by Angel. There are all kinds of scenes with them trying to take care of a 10-year old that you can imagine. Waking up early, cuss words, dropping him to school, preparing lunch, visits from Child Services etc. Most fun comes from the never ending banter between the couple. They are really in their own world and find everything so odd when they meet "regular" people. They make the central relationship feel entirely believable, with the result that we truly come to care about them and the fact that we want the kid to stay with them. Yes, the gay couple is stereotyped here, but c'mmon; we can probably overlook some of these factors and just chill, enjoy and smile for a change.
A feel good, good-hearted film whose positive message about same-sex parenting is emphasized in the end credits, this will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Don't expect great cinema at all. (6/10)
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