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...
Penelope is learning piano and has a crush of sorts on her teacher, but she doesn't control her destiny. She is married off, by her parents, to a shy and introverted Jonathan. They move into his family’s empty estate where not a great deal happens because of Jonathan’s hatred of social occasions and he generally prefers quiet life. The duo haven't even consummated their marriage and day by day Penelope's frustration grows. To her shock, one day when Penelope discovers that her new husband is having an affair with George the Butler, she finally understands Jonathan’s reclusive personality. George used to be Penelope's family butler and has an idea of her liking the piano teacher. So when this gay affair secret is revealed, he hires Penelope’s ex-piano teacher, Richard, as the gardener. Richard and Penelope begin their own affair. When Jonathan discovers this, initially he is extremely mad but Penelope makes him realize that this could be good for all of them. Now the four form an interesting camaraderie when they are alone but have to keep up appearances for the society. We see certain events when the truth might get public, maybe due to the maids or Penelope's parents but eventually true love prevails. How long will these people able top keep up their secret?
The premise is interesting. We have seen a few films about marriage of convenience but this takes one step further. Promiscuity and homosexuality aren’t often tackled in costume dramas and it was curious to watch these characters unfold within that historical setting. Having said that, the screenplay lacks once the secret is out and it feels that the makers did not know what to do. Once all four of then are out in open, including their maids knowing about it, besides a minor drama involving with a priest and Penelope's pious mother, there is not much drama. But these conflicts are clumsily sewn up and disposed of without any visible scars on the people they’re meant to be affecting. Some of the resolutions are almost laughable example how George brings Penelope back to health when she gets really sick. Despite all these flaws, I somehow enjoyed the film. It being not very complicated added to its charm in some way. The acting by all principal characters is good, but I was just struggling on how much low budget film this was. The setting is meant to be opulent and we are meant to be greeted with cinematic grandeur, not a weak imitation. For this genre, anything less than professional just looks dirty. This is one of those films where you think, it is silly, what were they thinking, but you also have the most fun watching it. (6/10)
Comments