This one's a beautiful, tender, quiet romantic drama with a moody atmosphere, set in a tight knit Welsh fishing community. It's a touching story about a man waking up sexually in the middle of his life, and how he, his family, and everyone around him deal with it, which makes it emotional and sentimental without ever getting over the top. The slow burn plays out against a landscape that's as bleak as it is gorgeous, where quiet, closed off men are stuck inside rigid ideas of what masculinity should be. Some people might be reminded of "God's Own Country," but I think both films are lovely in their own way. Jack is a middle aged guy who co-owns a mussel farm with his rough around the edges brother Dyfan, and the tension between the two of them is simmering under the surface right from the start. Dyfan's three sons all help out with the work, while Jack's sulky teenage son Tom keeps skipping out. Jack's been with his wife since they were both 16, and...
To be honest, I am still not clear, when the boyfriend eventually falls in love, was it for his ex-girlfriend or was it because he eventually discovers that the boy is in love with him and he just reciprocates; or maybe it was a combination of both. The cast is good looking and acts well and thankfully not many OTT scenes. The ending was cliched and bittersweet but overall quite alright.
STAY AWAY FROM ME: When their parents get married and leave for a long honeymoon, superstar Cheng Qing moves in with his new stepbrother Feng He. With Cheng Qing on the brink of failing out of college, their parents entrust Feng He to tutor him. Feng's best friend Meng Meng loves the whole BL stories and keeps dreaming and wanting that Cheng and Feng get together. She tries her best to push them together. Cheng eventually falls for Feng but Feng is constantly struggling between his feelings for Feng v/s his relationship as a step-brother.
Firstly, the guys in this story were both so cute and they had amazing chemistry. The way Cheng Qing would trouble Feng was cute. Their acting was very natural unlike some BL dramas where the acting would start off super awkward. Stories like this where society sees you as brothers (but they are forced to be brothers), but you actually want to be lovers; are always tricky and I think the series managed to keep a fine balance.
OBSESSED: Yi-chen, a man who dies in an accident following a scuffle with his ex-boyfriend Jin-teng, is reborn and sent back 9 years. To save his future self, he avoids Jin-teng and his feelings for him. Yi-chen proceeds to destroy his diary, where he writes about his longtime feelings for him. Jin-teng discovers a few pages, and develops a growing curiosity about Yi-chen which he can't explain. Yi-chen himself realizes that he can't resist Jin-teng, no matter how many times he tries to not fall for him again.
Personally, this was the most interesting story for me, although its a little confusing in the beginning wrt timelines. Also one good thing about this is that there is a lot more physical affection and kisses in this story , when compared to a lot of other BL stories that I have seen where pretty much there is hardly even a kiss between the protagonists. So there was even a sensual element for a change and good fun to watch.
These stories were good mix of fun, novelty and pretty much what you would expect from any regular Asian BL series. It doesn't go out of its way but it doesn't disappoint you either. (6/10)
Comments
You should check History 2 & 3 that are better (especially history 3 trapped that is really good imho).
Taiwan can produce wonderful stuff too
Although not intense as Addicted, it kept me captivated all along.
The one in charge of shirtless guys did a very good job, is there any fat left on these people ???
Can't wait for season 4 already, mature content handled this way is a sheer delight.
Up to 5 or 6 hours every evening. No wonder I am fast !!