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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
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...
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A Different Story

By Golu
I can't imagine what it would have been like in 1978 to have a film about a gay man and a lesbian woman eventually falling in love and marrying. In today's time, it would be a scandal because it would probably be considered as "fixing" the gay disease. Having said that , watching a 40 year old film today does bring an interesting perspective.

Handsome young gay man Albert has been lover of a successful pianist who dumps him when he find s a new lover. Stella, who happens to be the rich man's agent offers Albert to stay one night at her place when she finds him homeless. She leaves next day expecting him to leave, but instead he is ready with a fantastic dinner. Without verbally acknowledging it, they agree that Albert can stay longer and perform domestic duties while Stella continues working. Stella has a steady girlfriend and eventually Albert also finds a new rich older guy, but they stay together since they have become very good friends. One day when immigration authorities show up at their door, thats when Stella realize that Albert is illegal in the country. She marries him to prevent his deportation. On his birthday, in a drunken state, they end up sleeping together. This gets repeated a few times and eventually Stella has a baby. They start living like a straight married couple and Albert starts working with a fashion designer. Stella is always worried that Albert maybe having an affair but to her horror, his affair is with a woman and not a man. They fight it out but eventually love prevails and they both realize they really do love each other very much.

The whole idea that once a gay man and a lesbian woman sleep with each other and somehow suddenly are head over heels in love with opposite sec is total bs. Not today, not 40 years ago. I am sure the film's plot would have been met with a strong opposition. The film was going so well with a good friendship developing between the two protagonists and could have taken a nice route even after the marriage of convenience (since that is realistic) but making them sexually compatible and fall in love was totally uncalled for. The superficially 'liberal' approach is ultimately just as negative about gay sexuality. Thankfully both the actors are charming and share a decent chemistry. They even act well and look good together. 

The film is not boring. Its alright but it is the plot and the premise that I have a problem with. (4/10)
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