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...
Luke isa single dad of a 5 year old son. He works as a mechanic in a garage run by his dad. He meets Aysha, a drag queens fact unknown to him at their first meeting and they indulge in a passionate kiss. There are clear sparks but as soon as Luke realizes that Aysha is a man he runs away. Aysha is living a closeted life away from her relies muslim family in the big city. Aysha need sa driver and car to take her around for her shows. She tracks down Luke and he agrees to do the job in hopes to save money for his son. After a few drives, the attraction reignites. You literally see the love grow between them. Finally when Luke gives up his inhibitions and makes love to Aysha for the person he/she is and not the gender, a tragedy awaits. One of Aysha's nemesis throws acid on his face. Confused Aysha moves back to his parents house in Manchester and cuts of ties with everyone. Luke, meanwhile, finds himself falling desperately in true love with Aysha and tracks him down and meetsteh family as a friend trying to convince him to do the right thing. The film has a beautiful ending.
I think that this portrayal is so persuasive, so meaningful, that most audiences will respond to it even though the love affair is one between two men. The screenplay is so tight and spot on that the connection between Luke and Aysha can convincingly continue and build up. Their constant drives to Aysha's performance venues back n forth give them time and opportunity to grow thier mutual bond that won't be denied and the two actors do a fantastic job of that. There are other story developments that are done with utmost care and love. Scenes like the handling of the complex sex scene between Luke and Aysha for the first time or when we are told that Aysha's brother and mother have a brief idea of what Aysha's real life style is. The film explores self-expression and the definition of family protection carefully, looking at what it means to shelter your children from harm across every age and circumstance. While Luke grapples with his responsibility as a father, navigating co-parenting and his own life as an adult, Aysha’s deeply traditional family values threaten to thwart everything she knows she and Luke could have. The two actors have done an incredible job and at no point does the film feel cheesy. It is as real as it comes with what we see around us today and my hats off to both the brilliant actors here. My only problem here is that the ending felt rushed. I wish the story could have ben fastened initially and Id have to see a little more detail of how to all comes together at the end. But besides that, thanks to a tout screenplay, wonderful directors, but most importantly the two actors give performances that can truly be described as remarkable and together they make this not just an outstanding gay movie but a great love story in its own right. (8/10)
Comments