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 film's plot is simple yet very endearing. 30-something Hugo is a lawyer in New York who is looking for more in his career. He decides to come home to Milwaukee for 2 weeks for Christmas with his best friend Madelyn. Hugo's mom Kate is a big planner and is planning, like every year, many days of activities including possibly the last Christmas eve at the town's favorite train station, which is scheduled to be closed and demolished. Kate secretly is trying to setup Hugo with Patrick, who used to be Hugo's senior (who it turns out has an interesting background). The rest of the story follows Hugo and Patrick falling for each other. Enter Hugo's brother and we see a beautiful relationship building between him and Madelyn. Given Hugo is a lawyer, he tries to save the train station and in the process they get to learn of the queer past of their town, which gives them hope. A conflict comes when Hugo gets offered to be a partner but move to London. But Hugo and Patrick will eventually find ways to make it work, because when you find true love, you really don't want to let it go.
First things first. I had no idea that Hugo and Patrick are real life couple and husbands. No wonder their chemistry was so magnetic with each other. Their flirting with each other and accepting feelings for each other was so well done, I had a permanent smile on my face. Them being gay was no big deal at all and was never brought up. The backstory of the train station shows how different times were back in the day for being gay and our generation has so much to be thankful about. I think the writing team did a good job when it came to handling such a topic and showcase how the current LGBTQ+ generation owes a lot to those who came before them. Yes, everything in the film is happy and cheerful and maybe not practical, but when it is holiday time, a movie like this is absolutely essential which is all about love, and positivity. I did feel that Hugo's brother and Madelyn's sudden togetherness was really not needed and felt strange but hey, like I said, we can all sometimes use a happy ending. Hugo and Patrick's kiss in the end at the same spot as the train station master was a master stroke and a perfect ending to what may happen to them in future.
This movie is all love, heart, cheerfulness, charming and just so beautiful. What's not to like when a film brings a constant smile to your face. Highly recommend this to watch now in holiday season. (8.5/10)
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