Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
The film goes in flashback where we see an older Jay going over family albums with his son. It is early 60's. We meet Jay, who is on track for his typical American dream. He is the son of a very successful businessman and his father rewards his hard work and business acumen. He marries his beautiful wife, Beverly, who gives him a healthy baby boy. But Jay is hiding a deep, dark secret. Before his wedding, on a beach vacation, Jay is served by the handsome Ricky of Puerto Rico descent and they just have a chat. Months later, Jay and Ricky meet again at a family event where Rickey is serving. They share a cigarette together. When the family returns home, Jay and Ricky begin seeing more of each other, meeting secretly at the local gay bar establishments. As good as Jay is about hiding the relationship between Beverly and the world, the cracks begin to form to the point that even his father is giving him tips. During one such meetings, the police raids one of these bars where they both get arrested. Beverly bails him out, she threatens to divorce Jay unless he seeks “treatment.” He goes through various therapies including shock treatment. Back to present day, Jay has ben telling this story to his son, who encourages him to find out about Rickey, now that Beverly has died. Turns out Jay never tried to find Rickey after that incident. He finally locates him in a nursing home where Ricky now has dementia. But his memory comes back reading the last letter he wrote to Jay, The film ends with both of them dancing together.
We have seen and heard enough to know by now that 60s was a very different time for gay community. There were pressures of “keeping up appearances” and hiding your true self for the rest of your life. These themes are handled as authentically as one can in a 60s period drama. The good thing here in this film is that it doesn't try to make a villain out of any of the three principal characters. We believe as much in Jay and Beverly as we do in Jay and Ricky. As audience and likely being gay, you do question Beverly's motives of making her husband go through the very invasive regressive and shock therapy, but if you pause for a second, you would understand her intentions. On the other hand, you feel for Jay and Ricky. Coming from two very different social status, their feelings are genuine. While Ricky is more of a free spirit, Jay has a lot more to lose here. And they share an excellent chemistry. Needless to say that they are both extremely handsome and charming. The actors all do a fantastic job. The film never makes them caricatures or over the top drama. Jay is a charismatic young man possessing both strength and vulnerability and whose life we immerse ourselves in very quickly. Beverly, as a woman who wants to save her family and then Ricky who is a tender, compassionate lover who understands where Jay is coming from. Overall, this film is a wonderful piece of melodrama. It will remind you that there was a time when being gay was a disease that needed to be cured and that, somehow, we’re still having problems making these practices illegal today. (7.5/10)
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