A Must Watch!
If there is one LGBTQ+ film you take the time to watch, let it be this.Can I just say that the south-east Asian countries are really coming through with these queer films. 'Dear Ex' and 'The Handmaiden' had been the only other Asian queer films I had seen before this and the standard was already high, and this certainly lived up to my expectations.
Now I have seen plenty of BL series, mainly Thai but a couple of Taiwanese and Filipino, and I certainly have my own issues with them, but this film is not like that. This is a *real* love story, one filled with hope, excitement, passion and heartbreak. With strong acting and a very gripping storyline, I've already rewatched this and felt even more enthralled the second time round.
Hoping to find a few more similar films to watch because I'm afraid anything after this will be a disappointment lol
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a series talking about the hard yet, beautiful, stuff
Hi friends! This was my first time watching this movie, and let me tell you, I loved it! Sad, but really really well made. (btw, found it on Netflix if you're going to watch it.)STORY
I love-hate this film. The story is important, horrible, and beautiful all at the same time.
It's not your typical sweet romance BL series that makes you laugh and go 'aww' each scene. Instead, it's very heartfelt, crying-worthy and important.
Okay so, some background. The year was 1987. The story is about two boys (Birdy and Jia Han) and their growing love for each other while they're at a Christian High School in Tiwan. Of course, no one is 'kind' to homosexuals and those who catch staring at a guy in the showers get beaten up by their peers (so watch out for that if you're sensitive). Basically, t's not a school where you can openly love your lover if you're queer.
Their way of telling the story with different perspectives and flashbacks is so well done and beautiful that I had to pause at some of them just to think about the quality of the film and how cool that they came up with it. You really get to SEE Jia Han's point of view and how he slowly gives in for his love for Birdy and gets proud and protective of it although it's viewed as wrong by those around him.
One of my favorite things about the movie was that the dialogues were such masterpieces and they said so much with so few amount of words. It brought such emotions through the actors and into me. It has unexpected turns everywhere and I'm in shock that they were able to come up with all of them.
I LOVED THE ENDING. I was really worried that I would hate it and that it would be really sad, but jokes on me. It was such a good closure of the story and heartfelt. Kudos to the director for coming up with that one! After all that young forbidden love it was really nice to see them having to grow up and still remembering that time of their life and their first love. And when they meet again - that we get a backstory and explanation of their love and actions. And how they still can be friends and now are almost fine with their sexualities.
Final words of this part; The movie does a good job showing people how some humans, in real life, had these types of problems and fights just because they couldn't love the person they wanted to - and the fact that it's still like this in most of society is crazy and really upsetting. I'm so surprised to see that the directors choose to not include the typical stereotype "I'm not gay, I'm just in love with *name*" That was so amazing at it made the story much more mature in my eyes.
Also; I saw that someone said that this wasn't a happy ending movie, but yes it was. Maybe not that they lived together as lovers forever but they continued being friends and have a lot of memories to share.
ACTING/CAST
I'm in love with all the actor's performances and bravery portraying a different love from their society's mainstream, how well they play their characters and says with such emotions their part of the story. Would love to watch more of their work in the future. The one who plays Father Oliver, Fabio Grangeon, his acting was *chef kiss*. Also Birdys, Tseng Jhin Hua, acting.
There's great chemistry between the two main characters and you can really see and sense their love and deep attraction to one another even if it's not something their allowed to act on.
Although, LET ME TELL YOU, Edward Chen (portraying Jia Han, the main character). That man! His acting skills in this movie were gorgeous and really really impressive. I've seen one of his works before this one but they cannot compare. He has grown so much as an actor and wow, I'm looking forward to seeing him in the future. Hm crying, laughing and loving on the screen gave chills all over my body. Jian Han is clearly so in love with Birdy that it's almost as you feel the love too. Just with his eyes, you can hear all the words he can't explain or say out loud bc of the world and society he lives in.
Also, they're were well-written characters with believable stories and actions that resonate with me as a viewer. and they are always talking not direct about their feelings but you see that they both understand the other one's intentions.
MUSIC
This. This part of the movie - I was so so amazed at the way they had chosen to put it in. It's so subtle that you almost not even aware of it, but still brings that well-needed mood to the scene and overall story.
REWATCH VALUE
10/10, I'm certainly going to rewatch this with all of my friends at least one or two times.
SOME LAST WORDS
The summary: WATCH! If you skip this movie, well then you've skipped a good part of history that's worth knowing. You're not going to be disappointed, and if you are well them I don't know what earth you're from.
And keep in mind that I'm asexual so literally the only reason the story part got 9.5 is because of me feeling a bit uncomfy at some scenes. So to my fellow asexuals out there, keep in mind that you might want to skip one or two scenes - if you're like me.
BUT the rest of the scenes are really important, so don't skip all of it!
- samuel <3
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YNEH just gave me the hardest slap of reality fr!!!!
This is one of the well-made BL out there, raw and real. The roughest depiction of reality about the "back in the day" era where homosexuality is seen sinful and prejudiced by many. Yes those instances where a group of straight male peers who tried to set fire in a gay's dick in the bathroom! I love how the drama was portrayed especially with two commendable main leads. I'm really a sucker for actors who delivers the drama that I needed and what is needed. Edward Chen's acting is superb and outstanding especially where the drama became intense: Chang Jia Han having intense dialogue with the priest about how homosexuality is a sin and him and Birdy having steamy scene in the bathroom and the dramatic fight in the guidance's office where Jia Han defends Birdy from his father. Tseng Jing Hua as Birdy delivered very well too.
I also love how the drama swayed from stigma towards LGBTQIA to the realistically relatable feeling of Jia Han struggling to hold his emotions because he fell out of love bucz of Birdy. I was like being so invested in the drama that I love the sequencing of it. It didn't really stayed on one topic which is homophobia but also martial law, unrequited love and rebellion of youth group. The drama never failed to stab daggers in my heart everytime Jia Han get hurt. I imagined that I was him and just wanting to own Birdy all by myself.
One of the scene that stood out to me was the one dialogue of Jia Han something along the lines "If homosexuality is a sin and gay people condemned into hell then I beg Him to put me in hell to be happy to who I want to love, please I'm begging you!" That line from me is gut wrenching bcuz Jia Han begs to be understood as a man begging to be happy loving another man regardless.
Jia Han just stood out to me bcuz of how passionate he is to Birdy and how he go through extreme extent to protect him. Birdy, on the other hand, needs a brick in the head to realize how hurtful it is for Jia Han to be ignored and pushed aside just bcuz a girl entered the scene. I hate the scene where Birdy punched Jia Han bcuz he was interfering his confrontation with his father in the office. I don't really get why he did that. That's just awful bcuz Jia Han never deserve something like that.
I love the direction, the jumping on every different scenes in the series. One scene after another which overlapped beautifully. The cinematography is aesthetically nostalgic which kinda resembles that of I Told Sunset About You. It's just beautiful when they incorporate that effect to emphasize the nostalgia of living back in the day. The writings for this movie is well executed. The realistic depiction of this raw ass movie is just outstanding for me. The explicit scenes in the grave where these hoes getting steamy with guys in a cemetery lot, the sensual touch of Jia towards Birdy's body, the scene in beach where Jia and Birdy got naked enjoying the water and laying naked in the sand. Those, were just chef's kiss. One of the touching scenes of the movie that I also love was the one Jia conversing with Birdy through the telephone and tearfully played his written song for him to listen. It's just a beautiful scene just enough to make your eyes watery and provoke your emotions.
I also want to pinpoint very few flaws of the movie. The fact that the two never really end up together and they grew older separately only to meet up years later. That's something I think they need to change. While that can be something true to happen, it's just dissatisfying for me. Not really a fan of them being separated then grew older just to cross paths with each other again. I kinda like the ending tho but I think there must be another cool ending to that.
Overall, this is really a very good movie to just get you in your emotions and make your eyes sore from crying. I might add that this was one of the best BLs out there bcuz it mirrors reality about how people in the past being prejudiced toward gay people. This is just a masterpiece I never expected but greatly appreciated.
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still crying
oh my fucking god, the telephone scene.Was this review helpful to you?
OTHER LEVER
I watch this movie cause i heard good criticize but hell no i was not expecting this ...I knew that its not 'happy light story' but i wanted to see something different
When i start it, i was like 'oh interesting ' but after the time was passing i was slowly more and more addicted to the plot . I lived every s-e-c-o-n-d
◇THE STORY....its unique, its realistic cause life isn't only happy and funny moments, its touched me so much and i fulll agree with everyone who said that its not only a bl movie but a LGBTQ+ movies who everyone must watch it.
◇THE ACTING W-O-W i don't know what to say it was fabulous/amazing /fantastic.
◇EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTIFUL and when i say everything i mean it: from ost to the dialoge between actors-some of them were soooo powerful and the meaning behind it.
If i could rank it > 100/10
~I recommend it if you want something realistic but masterpiece~
(I will never forget you thank you ♡)
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One of the best LGBT movie I've ever watched.
Found this by accident when I looked something to watch in Netflix. Glad I found this.I used to underestimate Taiwanese movies or dramas, but after I watched this (and Dear Ex), I changed my mind. I would even say this movie is one of the best ROMANCE movie I've ever watched.
I really love the cinematography, the sad-tone of this movie. The chemistry between the leads. I was surprised when I saw their ages and their filmography—they are rookie actors! They acted so well and when it combined with the beautiful scenes and the cinematography, this movie is heavenly.
Very recommended if you need something emotional to watch to cry. The bittersweet ending left me kinda empty and I cried for pretty long time after I finished. Couldn't totally move on from this movie after a week.
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Your Name Engraved Herein was a masterpiece for the ages
Such a beautiful story between two adolescents. The ambiance, the acting, and the pure love between them set the scene nicely as we follow their hearts and actions. Though this was a sad movie to follow as they battle with internal homophobia and oppression, their reunion settles a sweet ending as their young souls finally find peace in their aged bodies, reminiscent of the innocent love they once had.Definitely a rewatch for me, and also a sob fest!
Much love to all of those with similar stories as Jia-han and Birdy, and to the old bodies with innocent souls. Queer love is never easy (written from a queer person). But those two had bravery and love, even if it failed at some moments
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Don't Watch If You Cry Easily
Maybe I'm scoring this so high because I'm emotional right now, but all I want is an ending where Bridy and Jia-han end up together ㅜㅜ! Though it takes a bit to get me crying, I got misty-eyed for a little with this movie. The soundtrack was great, and the movie was amazing! It was a little hard to follow at times, but when I got confused, it was explained quickly. When Jia-han called Birdy and played him the song through the pay-phone, it was heartbreaking yet so tender. I was often talking to the characters as if they could hear me, and the scene with the old man and Jia-han made the protective older sister in me scream! In the bit where the boys were sitting on the rock together, the narrator says, "We agreed to study for the entrance exam, and then never saw each other again." It had me yelling at my laptop, "No, let them be happy!'. As a Canadian, it was cool to see the ending bits be in Montreal(?)! (Even though I'm from BC). And at the end when Jia-han invites him up for a drink at the place he was staying at and then birdy declines; just heart-shattering. I kept saying, "Don't run away again!". And then when they kept saying 'Goodnight' and I remembered when that other girl had said it meant, I (wo), love (ai), you (ni), love (ai), you (ni), I gasped out loud. The first 15 minutes with Jia-Han's friends beating up that other boy made me pause the movie and say out loud to myself, "I don't know if I'll be able to make it through this." But I did. In 1987 I know it wasn't uncommon for things like that to happen - hell, it probably still happens now - but it still kinda shocked me. I would 100% recommend this movie to people!Was this review helpful to you?
Real. Beautiful. Heartbreaking.
"The tide kept rising. I really hoped this would be the end of the world."In a time of turmoil and a world that is starting to change, Jia-Han and Birdy start to discover themselves and their feelings for each other. Predominantly based on the director's own experiences, it's a story about love and heartbreak. A story about discovering who you are in a world that doesn't accept it. A story about a first love, that is both heartbreaking and beautiful.
When emotions were running high, what really tied everything together was the music. Titled "Your Name Engraved Herein," just like the movie, it is a beautiful song that is perfectly interwoven into the story.
Before I go, I would like to add a small note about something I read in the director's interview. The director, Liu, whose life the movie is based on, did not play the trumpet like Jia-Han did, he played the flute. They made the change, because "the trumpet has a sound quality of wanting to say something, but not being able to get it out."
I absolutely loved this movie. So watch it and I hope it moves you the way it moved me.
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Not for me
I actually couldn't get to the end of this.The story itself and what transpired in those times was heartbreaking, but the characters and the flow of this movie just wasn't for me, i did end up fast forwarding through some of the parts.
Despite the two main characters having a bit of chemistry and a connection it really touched on the story itself. The reality behind the story was a bit difficult to grasp.
The pain of the male leads being explained to the priest etc.. was touching.
This movie was just not for me.
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The movie set in 1987 as martial laws in Taiwan had ended. The movie perfectly captured on how LGBT relationships in the 80's would have looked like. Jia-han and Birdy battling in a homophobic society when at that time not everyone (especially same-sex couple) was allowed to express their love and affection. This is why I felt so attached with them. Their relationship might not always about happy moments, but we got to see their struggle, confusion, and suffering. The acting and the chemistry between them are the strong points of this movie. As for the plot, some parts felt like out of the place. Especially with the constant jumping between flashbacks and current time during the first and second act. I felt some scenes were being cut, so it resulted for some parts were confusing. For favorite scene, it would be the phone scene. It was phenomenal. I felt hurt. You could felt the pain. The acting between them on this scene was incredible. The music theme was also my favorite thing of this movie. And for the final act? I don't know, from second act to third act was kind of boring, but the execution of the ending was beautiful & bittersweet. It reminded me of the ending of Wong Kar-wai's Happy Together. If you have watched Happy Together, you might know this ending was very similar to it. What is it with Niagra Falls and LGBT-themed movies from either Hongkong or Taiwan??? Not only the ending scene that reminded of Happy Together, but also the cinematography and the color grading. But don't get me wrong, I like both aspects (the cinematography and the color grading) on this movie despite on how similar to Happy Together.
Maybe I will re-watch this again after I read further about Director's story because this movie was based on his real experiences.
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The face that this is based on a true story makes the story even more sad. To make matters worse, they never meet again (unlike the movie). You know this movie made you feel numb after watching it when you spend 3 hours discussing the plot and your opinions of the movie with your bf (and force him to watch it so he can feel the same sadness you had to endure). The cinematography was amazing and the original song was amazing in terms of summing up the whole angst scene. My only dislike was how even in the end birdy was so nonchalant idk. Was this review helpful to you?
