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...
Alex, a mechanic from Philippines is visiting his cousin in Taipei. He left Manila after learning that his girlfriend is pregnant. We also meet Jerry, a Taiwanese aboriginal student who is studying medicine, is gay and lives a happy life with his boyfriend. The two meet at the bar where Jerry works to make extra money, and realize that they both have some sort of connection. Since Alex doesn't know anyone, he accepts Jerry's invite to hang out with him and his boyfriend. Through multiple conversations they realize they have more in common than they think. Jerry wants to be able to give it back to his tribe. He is expected to get married and become tribe leader but he is struggling with how to disappoint his family by telling them he is gay and maybe he really may not be happy coming back to the community. There is too much at stake. Similarly, we learn that Alex's was abandoned both by his father and his mother at separate times to make their own life with respective partners and he is dealing with abandonment and love issues. Being an unexpected support for each other in just 4-5 days, the film creates an interesting dynamics between the two cultures, even going so far as suggesting that the two main characters may be related by blood from their ancestors. They both eventually discover a certain sense of identity and freedom.
Although both the main leads have their individual stories, its perfectly blended well. They are both going through struggles and I truly believe that sometimes its easy to open up with a complete stranger than it is to do the same with your loved ones. Alex and Jerry weave a truly human connection (and not sexual, which you would expect in a queer movie). Alex gives courage to Jerry to talk through to his family about his struggles and wishes and seeing Jerry. interact with his family, it gives Alex some faith to visit his mother in Taipei and forgive her and move on with his life. Jerry's character has more graph where we see him a very happy person, cheerful, making friends to us seeing him as an anxious son and eventually standing up for himself. Alex's storyline is a mixed bag because although he has issues being abandoned as a child, but the film never addresses the fact that he himself just abandoned his girlfriend and his unborn child. The acting of the leads start off ok but by the end they feel accomplished performers. By the end they make your eyes wet. Almost 80% film is in English as you can imagine it's the only common language between the two. The only constructive feedback I have is that, the film takes some time to establish, where it is headed and in the process has the risk of losing audience attention.
This is an endearing story about friendship, and how fleeting interactions with strangers may lead to a more meaningful, humanly bonds especially when the strangers are very different cultural background. I would recommend watching this film as a human drama and not as a gay cinema. (7/10)
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