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 story is simple. We meet the "The Boy" whose name is never shared who works as a cleaning boy in the upscale and posh houses in Amsterdam. We watch him go house to house cleaning, and unknowingly also becoming a witness to their life. Andre, is the only house owner with whom he actually talks to while cleaning his home. Andre, being a writer, is always interested in knowing stories about the other houses. The Boy lives with his boyfriend who works as a dancer in a gay club and together they are looking to make ends meet. Clearly Boy cares about the boyfriend and his own family equally and doesn't mind working extra to support. it's not to say that the boyfriend is exploiting. he is also trying his best to get by. When Andre Kills himself, one of his friends, a photographer shows keen interest in the Boy, befriends and actually almost starts having an affair with him. He is always looking for a subject for his pictures and we later find out that in the name of caring for the Boy, his hidden story was about a cleaning boy who sleeps with the owners for money. The Boy is utterly disappointed by the attitude of him and others who think that he would do something like this for money.
The focus here is clearly on the life of illegal workers in EU and how they get by in life, their struggles etc. Boy here moves continuously from one location to other as if he is almost invisible. He is trying to strike a balance between work, his happiness, caring for his family back home and doing everything in his power to make his boyfriend's career a success. Slowly, following the boy, you realize he is no different from anyone else. We are all here trying to survive. We all have our own ways, and how disappointing it is when someone mistakes your genuine warmth and affection and friendship for a means to just make some extra money; just because they are in need of money. This easy to watch film is a gentle reminder for us that we need to take a moment to notice and appreciate the hard work of all these kind of essential workers, whom, normally we just ignore. The two lead boys act really well and share a good chemistry. Maybe, I watch too many movies, but I was constantly expecting that the dancer boyfriend would do something to break boy's heart but I am so glad that it never happens. The two boys really love and care for each other.
A touching film about people trying to make a better life and trying to make human connections, not really succeeding at either but persevering anyway. I'd recommend it. (6.5/10)
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