A Splendid Mess - an uneven but nonetheless surprisingly worthy watch
As I don't wish to spoil the story, my aim is not to add anything substantially new to the already existing reviews; rather, I seek to reinforce what has already been said by some other members of the community, most notably by @SceneStealer (no spoilers) and by @MrsGong (spoilers).
Let me put it this way: if you have enjoyed some of the more ambitious recent historical dramas, such as the Dream of Splendor, the Flourished Peony, the Prisoner of Beauty or even the Story of Kunning Palace, then you are very likely to enjoy this drama as well. That being said, I don't expect the Splendid Match to be quite as successful as any of the dramas mentioned above. Not because it's any worse - I feel that it's actually more substantial than most - but because it's too unfocused and goes in too many different directions.
A Splendid Match is a coming-of-age story, and a reflection on feminine condition, and an analyses of family and state power dynamics, and an account of ups and downs in palace scheming with some unexpectedly good fighting scenes thrown in; and, the last but not the least, it is a truly splendid slow-burn romance with some reasonably convincing love triangles. And if that is not enough, there are probably even more aspects of the story that I'm simply forgetting to mention.
None of these aspects are handled poorly; on the contrary, taken individually, they hold up unexpectedly well, But what we end up with is a bit messy because keeping so many threads from vibrating loose is an ambition simply to high to live up to. It is as if this drama has an identity issue: It can't quite make up its mind on whether it wants to be a crowd-pleaser or a more serious take on the human condition from a historical perspective. So, in the end, if falls somewhere in the middle and just a little short of both.
Nonetheless, and in spite of this inherent flaw, A Splendid Match engages and enchants thanks to its multi-layered character portrayal and its rare depiction of what it means to be in a healthy loving relationship.
Many characters in this drama - not just the leads, but down to the smallest supporting ones - are fully fleshed out, consistent and convincing. Many feel like real people whom we progressively get to know and follow in their decisions, good and bad, which might sometimes appear too exaggerated for my taste, but never feel random and unmotivated. However, the same high standard is not equally applied to all, so the results turn out a little uneven.
On the other hand, watching the relationship between the leads grow, develop and transform is truly delightful. For once, we have an older male lead who is explicitly not a virgin and does not abruptly turn into a shy boy the moment he falls in love; rather - and much more logically - he uses his vast intelligence and the advantage of sexual and emotional experience to both intellectually convince and sensually seduce. For once, we have a male lead who truly respects his partner and does not try to control her; not because he is not occasionally tempted to - of course he is, considering his upbringing and status - but because they manage to air, discuss and work out any issues together as a couple. Thus, we are mercifully spared the patronizing trope of I-love-you-so-much-that-it-entitles-me-to-make-decisions-about-your-life-without-asking-your-opinion. For once, the romance doesn't peter out and lose all interest once that the leads get together. If anything, the sexual tension between them becomes even stronger after they consume their relationship, which is only natural for any couple with a fulfilling intimate life. In all this, A Splendid Match sets a new standard for a credible romantic relationship, hopefully to be emulated more often in future.
Most other relationship in the drama, romantic or otherwise, are equally plausible, if less compelling. I will not go into the details in order to avoid spoilers.
The drama is well served by an excellent cast, with brilliant leads and many outstanding supporting actors. I initially found the young female lead, Ren Min, somewhat irritating, only to be impressed later on by the way in which she grew with, and into, her character. The male lead, Ci Sha, is consistently convincing in his quiet intensity. Everybody does a great job, really; I was perhaps particularly delighted by supporting actors incarnating grey-scale female characters, such as the unscrupulous but staunch matriarch (Yang Kun) or the tragically silly, superficial and suggestible concubine (Li Fei Er).
Cinematography, scenography, costumes and make-up are refined and subtle. The choreography for fighting scenes is sharp and visceral. The soundtrack is generally unremarkable, with a couple of standard love songs. My only complaint is about a certain instrumental cue for the main couple which I found distractingly incongruous as, to my ears, it sounded like it landed straight from a 1980s comedy and had no place in a historical C-drama.
Overall, while this drama could have been better - more streamlined and more even in depth and tone - I genuinely enjoyed it much more than I expected.. Therefore, I will swipe its imperfections under the carpet and give it a generous score of 8.5.
Let me put it this way: if you have enjoyed some of the more ambitious recent historical dramas, such as the Dream of Splendor, the Flourished Peony, the Prisoner of Beauty or even the Story of Kunning Palace, then you are very likely to enjoy this drama as well. That being said, I don't expect the Splendid Match to be quite as successful as any of the dramas mentioned above. Not because it's any worse - I feel that it's actually more substantial than most - but because it's too unfocused and goes in too many different directions.
A Splendid Match is a coming-of-age story, and a reflection on feminine condition, and an analyses of family and state power dynamics, and an account of ups and downs in palace scheming with some unexpectedly good fighting scenes thrown in; and, the last but not the least, it is a truly splendid slow-burn romance with some reasonably convincing love triangles. And if that is not enough, there are probably even more aspects of the story that I'm simply forgetting to mention.
None of these aspects are handled poorly; on the contrary, taken individually, they hold up unexpectedly well, But what we end up with is a bit messy because keeping so many threads from vibrating loose is an ambition simply to high to live up to. It is as if this drama has an identity issue: It can't quite make up its mind on whether it wants to be a crowd-pleaser or a more serious take on the human condition from a historical perspective. So, in the end, if falls somewhere in the middle and just a little short of both.
Nonetheless, and in spite of this inherent flaw, A Splendid Match engages and enchants thanks to its multi-layered character portrayal and its rare depiction of what it means to be in a healthy loving relationship.
Many characters in this drama - not just the leads, but down to the smallest supporting ones - are fully fleshed out, consistent and convincing. Many feel like real people whom we progressively get to know and follow in their decisions, good and bad, which might sometimes appear too exaggerated for my taste, but never feel random and unmotivated. However, the same high standard is not equally applied to all, so the results turn out a little uneven.
On the other hand, watching the relationship between the leads grow, develop and transform is truly delightful. For once, we have an older male lead who is explicitly not a virgin and does not abruptly turn into a shy boy the moment he falls in love; rather - and much more logically - he uses his vast intelligence and the advantage of sexual and emotional experience to both intellectually convince and sensually seduce. For once, we have a male lead who truly respects his partner and does not try to control her; not because he is not occasionally tempted to - of course he is, considering his upbringing and status - but because they manage to air, discuss and work out any issues together as a couple. Thus, we are mercifully spared the patronizing trope of I-love-you-so-much-that-it-entitles-me-to-make-decisions-about-your-life-without-asking-your-opinion. For once, the romance doesn't peter out and lose all interest once that the leads get together. If anything, the sexual tension between them becomes even stronger after they consume their relationship, which is only natural for any couple with a fulfilling intimate life. In all this, A Splendid Match sets a new standard for a credible romantic relationship, hopefully to be emulated more often in future.
Most other relationship in the drama, romantic or otherwise, are equally plausible, if less compelling. I will not go into the details in order to avoid spoilers.
The drama is well served by an excellent cast, with brilliant leads and many outstanding supporting actors. I initially found the young female lead, Ren Min, somewhat irritating, only to be impressed later on by the way in which she grew with, and into, her character. The male lead, Ci Sha, is consistently convincing in his quiet intensity. Everybody does a great job, really; I was perhaps particularly delighted by supporting actors incarnating grey-scale female characters, such as the unscrupulous but staunch matriarch (Yang Kun) or the tragically silly, superficial and suggestible concubine (Li Fei Er).
Cinematography, scenography, costumes and make-up are refined and subtle. The choreography for fighting scenes is sharp and visceral. The soundtrack is generally unremarkable, with a couple of standard love songs. My only complaint is about a certain instrumental cue for the main couple which I found distractingly incongruous as, to my ears, it sounded like it landed straight from a 1980s comedy and had no place in a historical C-drama.
Overall, while this drama could have been better - more streamlined and more even in depth and tone - I genuinely enjoyed it much more than I expected.. Therefore, I will swipe its imperfections under the carpet and give it a generous score of 8.5.
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