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...
Alex, a young man, moves back to Miami with his family after breaking up with his ex boyfriend in New York. Though it's early, he is a bit aimless and can't find a job or purpose in Miami. He feels lonely and c complains about traffic, almost hitting rock bottom and depression. He finds his father's camcorder from his childhood and starts filming random vignettes of the city and life. He eventually finds a job in the LGBTQ center. He also meets Chris online, they hook up and have a great chemistry. Alex thinks that is love again but meanwhile Chris realizes that Alex is a mess and wants to be his friend during his lonely times and support him in every way possible. Second half of the film is set against the backdrop of an impending hurricane, a clear but unassuming metaphor for the storm of Alex’s inner conflict—the whirlwind of life—upending without any sense of direction along with the onslaught of feelings that come with it.
IMO, the film is trying to make a comment on growing up, facing adulthood, and possibility of life getting messy, using Alex as its protagonist; but at the same time as a subject int feels like its just going in circles. The film starts with Alex bored to death and looking (or not) for ways to get out of Miami but even by the end of the film. it does not appear that he has grown or changed in any significant way. Maybe the film makers heart was in the right place but the final product seems clunky. The actors are all good looking, but somewhere this indie film feels like a half-baked cake. At various places, we find awkward pauses and the lead actors dialogue delivery leaves a lot to be desired for anyone to take this film seriously. Alex’s personal epiphanies, inner turmoils, and feelings of loneliness could have more of their intended impact if we aren’t told directly in every scene how much he’s bothered by them and how torturous it is for him to be in Miami. A lack of subtle and nuanced evolution in Alex’s character is what keeps Fallen Fruit from succeeding. Maybe we will see a better second feature form this budding filmmaker. (4.5/10)
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