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 storyline of the film is simple. 14 year old teenage Nick is looking forward to spending tie in the summer with his father in San Francisco. His parents are divorced and he lives with his mother in LA. When he reaches SF, he has a good time with his father on day 1, but when he meets his 'friend' Gary, he is not very sure. Gary has moved out temporarily to accommodate Nick, but Nick feels there is more to the relationship. When Nick finds evidence that Gary and his father are indeed a couple, he runs away and spends time exploring SF and makes him mother come to SF. Of course, the one knew about this but has always struggled to accept her ex-husbands homosexuality. Once reunited with his son, Doug attempts to explain his sexual orientation to him, with mixed results.
I can see why some people may question showing the boys running away. I don't think the reason is because he is disgusted. I think he doesn't understand the nature of relationship, or the fact that his father did not tell him the truth. He probably also feels his mother being betrayed, but whatever it was, the final few minutes of the film, where the father comes out to his son was quite nicely done with utmost sensitivity. Interestingly, the film's ending doesn't provide complete answer to what happens of the family, but the fact is we can decide where the family can head next. How the mutual relationship will evolve is immaterial, what's important is that a subject like this was presented in 1972, especially with all the tenderness, sensitivity and maturity that it deserves. The boyfriend Gary, although a supporting role, was one of my favorite roles. Especially when in the scene he tells his sister's boyfriend that he is not ashamed of who he is and he doesn't need anyone's approval. At the same time, him sacrificing his home for his lover's son, is something you can't expect in today's time. All the other actors do a pretty good job of it.
Even though its old, I would still highly recommend this film, like a time capsule, taking you back in 70s when being gay was a huge taboo but someone had guts to make an important film and the actors for playing the roles. (7/10)
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