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...
Ben and Jordan, twenty something, have been close friends since childhood. Ben has sold away all his belongings to begin his New York era and is staying with. Friend and his wife. Jordan joins Ben on a trip to New York to see his friend off, and spend some time in the big city. And as they assuredly know, New York can be ridiculously expensive. Ben is a Gen-z gay squatter who tries to sleep with the friend he is staying with which does not go well and they ask him to leave. Finding themselves suddenly homeless, Ben has no option but to return to Austin with Jordan. Jordan's girlfriend is not too happy about this, especially since Jordan has not paid his share of rent for. A few months and cracks are already starting to appear leading g to their breakup. Although Jordan’s anxiety nearly leads him to kill himself, Ben turns to Grindr to take his mind off things and while the two process the gaping hole in their lives in completely different ways, they have only each other to lean on. Ben comes up with a plan that they should try to stay rent free at their various friends places and save money and eventually move back to New York. Thus begin the trust where Ben doesn't feel shy asking for favors from friends to squat at their place for as long as they possibly can. For one reason or another they have to keep moving from one place to other. The houses include a house with 4-5 party people, an ex’s shared apartment, a lesbian couple, at least one of Ben’s Grindr hookups, and more. They even end up at Ben's father's home with his two other brothers. At one such place even Jordan ends up sleeping with a guy for the first time. This nomadic existence finally starts to put strain in their friendship transforming them into a married bickering couple.
It is an interesting film where you see how the free spirited Ben finds it super easy to ask friends for favors but also showing as if he is doing them a favor. And since neither of them is making any money, problems start to appear. They try odd jobs but nothing works out. Ben finds respite in random hookups while Jordan still tries to pursue his passion for photography. One apartment where they stay with this gay couple was quite interesting. The film’s easy way with sex and sexuality allows the characters to be equal parts horny and clumsy in a believably frank way. The duo fight, argue but always get back together. It’s an interesting look at the power of friendship in this tough, gig economy. Both actors do a commendable job but Ben as an immature jerk stands out between the two. This is a situational comedy at its heart, but its ability to double as both a quiet indictment on capitalism and a mourning for quality-of-life amongst a younger generation will undoubtedly speak to many of its viewers. (5.5/10)
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