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...
20 year old Shane, has just got anew government job and kinda. New roommate in Vincent, a gay fashion student. The duo slowly warm up to each other and niece friends where Vincent tries to make the shy Shane come out of his shell slowly by taking him out clubs and enjoy the vibrant night life in the city. Shane starts to like this barista girl, who happens to be Vincent's best friend but she is not much interested in Shane. Vincent wants to move to New York after studies. One day by accident Shane discovers some drugs in his apartment building and soon enough gets involved in a drug run up with Keith, a guy who sells drugs and lives in the same building. Shane wanted stop earn money so he could goo back to the arts school, but life's uncertainties are slowly catching up to him. When drug gang gets busted and arrested, Shane and Vincent also get arrested but are released since the inspector turns out to be one of the guys Vincent slept with. Shane then helps Vincent to finish his final fashion runway assignment and Vincent encourages him to enter art school. The film ends with Vincent boarding a plane bound for New York while Shane enters art school.
The film stands out for its exploration of the challenges and anxieties felt by the young people who inhabit the city. The central characters appear to suffer from a sense of aimlessness and entrapment. Shane is trapped in a tedious office job where he is surrounded by much older colleagues. Confident and focused Vincent struggles under the pressure of course work and is anxious about life after college. They are both struck by a lack of direction or a clear view of the future. The strain of financial worries also plays a key role in the film, as shown by how Shane gets involved in criminal behavior with his desperation to afford flashy clothes and college fees. The actor playing Shane captures the anxiety and fear of his character quite well actually. Vincent fits very well, although I do have to say that the makers used all stereotypes they could use to portray a flashy young gay man. It was funny to see the actor playing a young gay man's role, (Now that I have seen him in an important character in Downton Abbey series) The duo's chemistry and friendship and their emotional journey forms the crux of the narrative. There is also an interesting perspective from an older guy Jerry who has always worked in a government office, never took risks and someone who is filled with regret over the missed opportunities in his life. Encouraging Shane to strive for more, Jerry shows his young friend the regret and frustration that can result from settling for life in a dead-end job. Jerry’s sudden death on the night of his retirement party devastates Shane, leaving him lost and even more isolated. At its core, the film explores the transformative power of friendship and the ability of characters to take control of their own lives. The film is particularly impressive for touching on issues such as social exclusion, masculinity, identity. (6/10)
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