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...
I am not sure of what period it is set in, but from the novel it seems like its early 1911. Ernesto is about 17 and works as an administrator for a construction firm, and thinks the world of himself. When a rugged factory worker makes sexual advances and gradually becomes totally smitten with the boy, Ernesto, he starts to play with his feelings. They have sex a few times but Ernesto son realizes that he has some hold over the man. When he overhears about his relationship between two men can be punishable, he breaks the guys heart in most sad way. But Ernesto still dreams big and becoming rich (especially since his father left him before he was born and living with his mother in his uncle's house wasn't really something he wanted to continue). Having experimented with a prostitute as well, he is just looking for social advancement and an opportunity presents itself in a younger 15 year old boy, who clearly likes Ernesto and belongs to a very rich family. Interestingly the boy's twin sister also is very interested in him and Ernesto seeks his own sexual playmates in the twin siblings, and also making a path forward in social circle. in an even younger beautiful boy and his twin sister, in the process cunningly forcing himself into the higher social circles. In the end it's as if he's caught up by his own ambition and schemings, illustrated by the very last shot, where he almost apologetically looks us right in the eyes and seems to say: "what can a boy like me do?".
The pace of the movie is good because it has so much to show. We see Ernesto's dealing with his boss and the pranks he plays, how he uses his beauty as power and for a 17 year old to know this and use this is very commendable. What I liked most was the confidence that. The young boy had and the actor playing the lead has done a fantastic job. He brings in Ernesto's arrogant, self-righteous and aloof nature brilliantly to the screen. Ernesto is also a master at manipulating people through his own passivity – most notably when he tearfully confesses to his mother his homosexual affair, and then twists her forgiveness into an opportunity to hit her up for some money. What is really nice to see was how this 30-something labour initially seeks Ernesto for his sexual pleasure but eventual almost starts to fall in love with him knowing well that this will not lead anywhere. The treatment of the film is sexy, drama, irony and absurdity at times but it works. And for a dated film like this, it has aged well and is still very much watchable in the gay context. I read online that the film won quite a few awards and accolades in festival circuit, which amazes me in even today's time. The film is entertaining, provocative, full of surprises and boasts of some good visuals, and a beautiful story. (6/10)
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