Xiang Liu and You (Yes, You)

 Kokuto:

I still have to see Godzilla Minus One.  :(

Don't get me started on the 'scheduling' of movie theaters.  sigh

Weeeeel?  Was it sad?  Or Tan bias aside, was it not your cup of tea?

SPOILERS AHEAD. (nothing that you probably haven't guessed from the trailers and clips)

I didn't need to use my shirt sleeves (kleenex? Too classy :-)) I cried more during the first 10 minutes of Pixar's Up. 

I thought that it could be a little more impactful. The fractures in their relationship leading up to the break-up were not conveyed as well as they could be, IMO.  And unfortunately, the usual Asian's drama trope was still there (you'll know what I mean when you watch it) when I didn't think it was necessary. The other thing is that I wished there were something that would mark it out as a Chinese movie because as it is you can plug the characters and story into a Western context and it wouldn't be out of place. That speaks to the universality of the story. However, I would have liked to see something that reflects the challenges that young Chinese couples face. This is of course from a perspective of a foreigner.  Domestic audiences probably wouldn't need this. Overall I enjoyed it.

Are there any Godzilla movies you would recommend, Ko?

 HeadInTheClouds:

SPOILERS AHEAD. (nothing that you probably haven't guessed from the trailers and clips)

Ah, thank you!  Yes, I almost feel as if I have watched the movie, given all the clips that were released.  lol

 HeadInTheClouds:

I didn't need to use my shirt sleeves (kleenex? Too classy :-)) I cried more during the first 10 minutes of Pixar's Up.

I'm surprised, but I'm fine NOT crying at a Tan Jian Ci performance. ;p

Interesting points.  I'll definitely look for those things.  Thanks again!

 Kokuto:

I vaguely remember liking the previous Godzilla vs Kong movie just a popcorn, epic destruction movie.

I love mindless action flicks with lots of explosions and feats that defy physics and logic :-)

 Kokuto:

I'm surprised, but I'm fine NOT crying at a Tan Jian Ci performance. ;p

Interesting points. I'll definitely look for those things. Thanks again!

You probably should bear in mind that I'm a bit of an ornery grouch :-). Plus I was dead tired when I watched the movie which probably impacted my ability to immerse myself in it. It's worth a watch and TJC is as normal and non idol-like as he could be. Maybe liddi can give her review and a different perspective once she watches it.

When is it coming to your part of the world?

 HeadInTheClouds:

Where are you ladies watching  Are You Safe?

We finished it about a month or so ago :) Very nice except for some side characters that didn’t make a big impact in the story.

We watched it on Viki.

 plor20:

I feel with your review that perhaps I was expecting film on the line of something like a film that delved into a relationship that was seemed perfect and as the film progresses, you get to see the conflict explode.

For me, this movie depicts how the general vicissitudes of life can wear down relationships. In Vietnamese, this sort of movie is described as about rice, shirt, grain and money - the most mundane things in life we all grapple with. Of course, these external factors alone won't kill a relationship without help from internal factors. And the most crucial internal factors that negatively impact relationships is - lack of communication and pride. The lack of communication leads to emotional disconnection which then leads to a negative perspective setting in. All these result in misunderstandings and resentment building up and eventually the thing that bursts the dam is the most innocuous thing imaginable. 

 plor20:

NGL that I do feel a little jaded that it was filled with troupes, because there are countless ways to show romantic love with out it

It was only one particular well-worn trope. I think it was used as a framing device and to help the audience buy into the relationship as quickly as possible so that the meat of the story - the deterioration etc. - could start. It's a movie so they have to be economical with time. I think because this movie aimed to show reality, the inclusion of that typical trope was just unnecessary and could even detract from it. The are little details and ideas about the female lead that didn't get fleshed out - again, the running time - that could add to the fracture between the couple. 

I can see what the movie is trying to do. I can see all the dots. It's just that the way it was done wasn't impactful for me. The build-up should have left you anticipating the moment when everything burst. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me so the release didn't feel cathartic. The actors' performances weren't the issue. Essentially, I watched this movie on an intellectual level with minimal emotional resonance. I'm probably in the minority since it's doing so well with the audience. 

I'm not good with reviews so I hope all of that makes sense.

 plor20:

I wonder if the censorship had truly hindered filmmakers as well as screenwriters.

I don't get many Chinese movies so I can't say if this is so. I believe this movie was based on a novel. I wonder if the author was also part of the script-writing team.

 liddi:

The author 郑执 Zheng Zhi is also the scriptwriter, and the movie is based on his novel 被我弄丢两次的王斤斤 "Wang Jinjin whom I Lost Twice". It is vastly different from the movie

Thanks liddi. Such drastic changes to the story. Can you even consider this an adaptation anymore when you changed basically everything about it? The open ending of the novel sounds quite realistic. I thought the resolution of the movie was not really convincing there were issues there that were glossed over. My thought was that these two would be heading towards another possible breakup once the credit finished rolling. 

 liddi:

Bai Xiaoyu is far more unlikeable in the novel too, more concerned about his ego despite his failings, certainly not the ideal boyfriend that is portrayed in the movie while Wang Jinjin appears to be the more mature one.

Given the switch-up in family background, it's quite understandable that their personality also received a switch-up. Bai Xiaoyu in the movie appeared to be too perfect. There was not a lot on how having to give up on his dreams and going blind affected him - he just seems to take it all in stride. I don't think they gave TJC enough to work with.

 liddi:

Yes I agree. It was way too easily and neatly done. There is clearly still no communication involved, just grandiose acts that is supposed to sweep everything under the rug. I concur that with the way the movie ended,

The mixing of reality and the romantic, trope-y set up didn't gel well, IMO. And this is the result.

 liddi:

I don't quite agree about Bai Xiaoyu being too perfect. The boy had blinkers and could only see her and nothing else as the only light in his life, which for me, is an unhealthy attitude.

Perfect in the sense that he "appeared" to be perfect in the context of a devoted, sacrificing boyfriend. I absolutely see your point. The issue is that the movie didn't do a good job of highlighting this. Something to show doubt, and denial on Bai Xiaoyu's side would have been good - just something to show that he eventually became aware of the unhealthiness in their dynamics. As it is, I don't think he ever sees the breakup as a necessary/good thing and she called the shot right to 'till the end.  I would have liked to see more of his family and friends' perspectives of their relationship. She has that one friend that reflected her doubts and dissatisfaction to her.

 liddi:

He actually reminds me a little of another fool we are very acquainted with

Heh! Whenever we watch/read about a sacrificing character there will be a comparison to XL. Bai Xiaoyu should have pulled a XL, and when she decided she wanted to come back said, "Thanks, but no thanks" :-). 

 liddi:

So my theory is the changes in the adaptation is the reflection of that hope and and ultimately the sought-after elusive Holy Grail that awaits with perseverance.

I'm gonna be a Debbie Downer again. While I would have loved that - I've mentioned on the other thread that I prefer things with an uplifting element - the way their issues are glossed over at the end does not instil in me much confidence that they'll achieve the Holy Grail :-(.

Thanks for the discussion. It allows reflections which helps to deepen and clarify thoughts and another perspective adds to the experience and enjoyment of the movie :-)

 HeadInTheClouds:

I would have liked to see more of his family and friends' perspectives of their relationship. She has that one friend that reflected her doubts and dissatisfaction to her.

True that. Her friend was like a sounding board for her. His parents, particularly his father is more the kindly, supportive advocate of their relationship.  On a separate note, it is in a sense ironic or unexpectedly poetic that 侯长荣 Hou Changrong who portrayed Bai Xiaoyu's father, was the old Xuan Yuan king in LYF, and probably the first and only advocate of YaoLiu, through his intensified overtures to convince Xiang Liu to defect after perceiving how Xiao Yao felt about him.

 HeadInTheClouds:

Heh! Whenever we watch/read about a sacrificing character there will be a comparison to XL

Yup. And I agree that Bai Xiaoyu should have been as resolute as Xiang Liu in the end, or at least not have folded so quickly with her return.

 HeadInTheClouds:

While I would have loved that - I've mentioned on the other thread that I prefer things with an uplifting element

I concur. I don't think that was really the point the movie was trying to bring across, but rather to instill hope in the target audience so that they would be courageous in life and love. Realistically, I believe that romantic love is all fine and good, but it is not all that matters, something which romances tend to overinflate. In that regard, I would agree with Tong Hua that romantic love should not be the be all and end all, but one should first be the best version of oneself, rather than expecting love to make them whole. 

 HeadInTheClouds:

Thanks for the discussion. It allows reflections which helps to deepen and clarify thoughts and another perspective adds to the experience and enjoyment of the movie :-)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!