A good movie

After seeing it three times in the movie theater, which is the best way to experience this film. It's really good, I cannot help but feel with this role Zhu Yilong wants to remove himself from being seen as Shen Wei. I had a hunch Mo San Mei was the start, then getting the chance to see him as Ma Zhe it became more obvious, and I pondered if playing He Fei made me feel ready for Ma Zhe.

If you get a chance to see this movie without being spoilt then it will make the experience 100000000 times better. In a nutshell - this film is really excellent - if you go into it blind, but that's tricky. I will say Zhu Yilong got to play his dream role and for once He Fei's ending is justified.

NiNi and Zhu Yilong are like the dream team of acting talent in this film with how they bounce off each other so well, it is an absolute joy to watch them act together - their argument scenes and He Fei's manic behaviour with Lawyer Chen Mai's powerful demeanour.

This film is so empowering for women - which is refreshing - and at the end I was rooting for them all and so proud of them.

He Fei was already out of favor with me because he is a gambler - red flag, red flag, even with his pretty face- which lasted for about 10 minutes then I felt cold and suspicious of him - only to be proven right. The beach scene gave me chills at how scary He Fei was, and just how brilliant Zhu Yilong is at vanishing into a role. I see some reviews on weibo of not being able to look at Zhu Yilong after seeing this film - I don't get it - he looks nothing like He Fei - the man is a chameleon of an actor - what I see on screen is He Fei not Zhu Yilong, so it didn't bother me - perhaps I'm more familiar with him or I'm able to compartmentalise. It's easy to separate the two. He Fei is a gold-digger and an asshat of a man who basically conned a rich vulnerable woman into marrying him - he wanted a sugar mama - to fund his gambling and give him a good life. He had a good life, he worked for her family's company, she helped him pay off his debts, but the whole "I swear never to gamble again" sweetie, no, you're going to rehab asap - because it's a legit addiction and he needs rehabs, but no, he gambles again - 10 million in debt this time and if he doesn't pay it he's in big trouble. What does he do? the worst thing ever.

The tag line is who is lying?
They all are - He Fei is the evil liar though, NiNi and Janice Man's characters are liars for a good cause - to bring He Fei to justice, and they do it, and it is brilliant.

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Just a little strange, with a lot of nostalgia

The drama is very pretty in terms of visuals and the scenery, though it feels like the directors are relying rekindling visual nostalgia of another one of their drama that aired a few years back. The story is not anything new - it's the same genre of the long ballad and any other story with the same narrative. Gong Jun's acting need a lot of work - his line delivery ain't great, but the VA dubbing is alright. But he just looks uncomfortable and annoyed, and awkward - which if that's suppose to be the crown prince's vibe then fine - but it feels like I'm watching Gong Jun play a role. I've seen him be better than this.

Dilraba is fine for playing the overly sugary sweet good at everything type of gal - but the childish ways her character behaves with the crown prince is just..it feels weird... and the VA has such a high pitched voice that makes her sound like a child which is super jarring - it just doesn't fit her face and makes it difficult to listen to. I don't get why directors put her in such positions - it feels like the same historical romance roles she has played many times before just with a different hair style and clothes.

Liu Yuning is pretty decent - he's very controlled and intriguing in his performance and scenes so far.

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