Reviews

Lovely

Story : Simple story, straight to the point and efficient.

Acting/Cast : As a man i will only talk about the female main role because i think we watch these to relate in some way to story and the feelings going on during the scenes as the counter part of the main actor/actress.
Her acting was touching, her expressions of feelings were heartbreaking.

Physical appearance : natural beauty is something i value very much, i think it makes her prettier than any more famous star doll (even more than the ones considered "beautiful").
With or almost without makeup, she is definitely attractive in her own ways, and my standards.

Artistic direction :
- There weren't many different landscapes, which means that they didn't have a big budget, mostly indoors, and they managed to make a good movie.

- Too many drama/movies nowadays take the easy road of sexual lust (this includes kisses a bit too visual), mistakenly confusing it with erotic genre (relating to or tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement) and forgetting the whole point of what is supposed to be a romantic drama. To each its own, i am old fashioned.

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Masterclass Acting Meets Messy Plot

As a die-hard fan of the drama series, I was both excited and a bit wary about how they'd condense my beloved storyline into a neat 100-minute package. Let's just say, it was a ride.

From the get-go, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia as familiar faces graced the screen. Greg Hsu, you're a legend, my friend. His transformation into different characters is a masterclass in acting — I mean, does he have a switch for those mannerisms?

But let's talk plot. Imagine trying to explain a multi-layered time-travel puzzle over a quick coffee break. Yep, that's how it felt. There were moments where I felt like a detective with a corkboard and red string, trying to piece it all together. Paradoxes? Oh, they were there, dancing around like they owned the place.

Now, despite the mental gymnastics, the cinematography was on point. Every frame felt like a painting, especially those rain scenes (though I could've used a few more seconds of that remake, just saying).

And the music! Wu Bai's "Last Dance" was hauntingly beautiful, though by the end, I was ready to slow dance with a paracetamol. The soundtrack hit all the right notes, literally and emotionally.

Overall, "Someday or One Day: The Movie" is like that wild rollercoaster you hop on without fully knowing where it'll take you. It had its highs (acting chops and visuals) and a few loops that left me scratching my head (time travel, anyone?). Would I recommend it? For sure, especially if you're up for a brain-teasing, emotional rollercoaster. Just don't forget your headache pills along for the ride!

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A raw glimpse into the reality of child abuse

I thoroughly hated every single second of this movie. Which is why, despite rarely writing reviews, I had to write this one.
I hated this movie with a passion. And that's what makes it so good. The direction of this movie perfectly captures the feeling of domestic abuse. This has to be the slowest movie I've watched in my entire life. Painfully slow. Which is exactly the point... and anyone who understands what it's like to be abused as a child knows it all too well. You think that a 2 hour movie is long? Imagine how long and insufferable every day in Shuhei's life was. Imagine being a kid and every single second you're wondering how much more you have left of this. Shuhei spends his whole life waiting for something to happen, for something to change, for a happy ending, knowing it'll never come. The pure frustration I felt with every stagnant moment of this movie is welcome.

The movie also perfectly highlights the possessive and yet contradictory nature of neglective parents. Shuhei's mother spends her entire motherhood either exploiting Shuhei or ignoring his existence completely. And yet, whenever her parenting is criticised or custody of her children is threatened, she repeatedly says that "They're my children.". Even after she forces Shuhei into prison and her daughter gets taken, she continues to echo this line. Perfectly sums up how abusers don't actually love their kids or value their lives but rather value the control that they have over them. For an abusive adult with insecurities, asserting dominance over and exploiting their children for personal gain is the only thing that makes them feel in control in their own lives. And yet this sentiment is often masked with phrases such as "They're my children" and "I gave birth to them" and "I can raise them how I want", all of which are said in the movie. This is the reality of child abuse - an issue that is so often hidden under the power of ownership and the guise of parental choice.

The real hitter comes when you see Shuhei grow up and yet nothing has changed. The time skip with no warning, only to see Shuhei and his sister on the streets leaves the audience feeling even more hopeless than before. Shuhei's obedience to his mother intentionally makes us feel both anger and pity. It leaves the viewer restless and frustrated, asking ourselves "Why can't he just say no?". But the movie answers the question before you can even ask it. Same thing with Shuhei's infuriatingly bland character. Shuhei lacks all personality and rarely speaks. The drawn out silences and the blank expressions that fill the screen every time it's on him leave you desperate for him to say something, so that we as the audience can get to know who he is and see more of his "personality", but we never do. This movie doesn't sell a story, it sells reality. The reality being that child abuse goes beyond childhood. The reality is that children who are abused, manipulated and isolated from society don't have the opportunity to develop into functioning adults who can stand up for themselves or even have a sense of identity. We see this so many times throughout the movie as Shuhei's mother trains him, almost like a dog, to only follow the commands of adults. We see it again when Aya (the social worker) asks Shuhei what his dream is and he says he doesn't know.

I love the mirroring between Aya and Shuhei's characters. Aya grew up in an abusive household but managed to overcome it all, growing up to become a social worker. I would argue that the climax of this whole movie isn't even Shuhei murdering his grandma. The climax of this movie is when Shuhei asks sheepishly if he can stay behind to attend school instead of going on the run with his mum and "stepdad" for the 100th time. This brief and calm moment in the movie is, in my opinion, the most exciting. As a viewer, it's the moment you've been waiting for the whole time. The moment of change. Only to be mercilessly let down as Shuhei's first stance of individuality is brutally shut down. It is a small moment in the movie but a big moment for Shuhei's character and, most importantly, it puts hope into the viewer's hearts only to rip it away seconds later. This is the reality of child abuse. This is the frustration and emotional whiplash that you should feel while watching this. And it shows that Aya's (and the demographic of society that she represents) efforts to change the course of Shuhei's life can't outdo the impact of his childhood training and his mother's ongoing abuse.

The setting is also great. Shuhei's mother denies him the opportunity to go to school, for the entirety of his upbringing. Almost every scene takes place in a cramped and cluttered room, making the viewer feel suffocated. Those tiny rooms were Shuhei's whole world, only occupied by him, his mum, her occasional lovers and the trash surrounding him. The feeling of second-hand claustrophobia and suffocation pushed onto the audience in every scene is one of my favourite aspects of the movie. Again, those who have been abused know this feeling all too well. It's like there isn't a world outside the tiny house where your abuser keeps you. Another great use of direction to show this feeling is in the American show "Maid" where the woman being abused is slowly swallowed by the couch she sleeps on.

The only reason I gave this show 7.5 is because there are a few things that don't add up to me. I don't understand why his mum told him to kill his grandma for money. Didn't the grandma say that she was disowning her? But, assuming the mum can still somehow claim inheritance: I'm assuming that the plan is that Shuhei murders her and then takes all the blame so that his mum can live freely with the inheritance. The issue is that none of this is really explained clearly so the ending ends up being a bit confusing when first watching. I also don't understand why his mother only lost custody of his younger sister after he was put in prison.

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Oh dear….

I have so much to say about this but I truly do not know how to put my thoughts into words without it becoming a tangent so I’m gonna try my best.

Someone described it has a proper queer movie & I could not agree more! It had everything you could ask for…passion..angst…EVERYTHING!

I started off the movie gutted I hadn’t watch it a lot sooner…if only I had remembered why I initially didn’t watch it the first time it was on my radar…If only.

It’s honestly been a while since a queer movie moved me - or got a reaction this did out of me…I literally bawled my eyes out (non stop) in the remaining half of the movie.

I do have to say I went in blind not fully reading the synopsis due to the fact that many synopsis on here tend to contain spoilers, then about 5 minutes in I thought to come back and read it properly. While the thought of something tragic happening did cross my mind. I was not expecting what I got cause I thought ‘gone are the days of queer cinema with sad endings’…..How naive I was.

Lastly, I know this is fictional - but, Kosuke was definitely a godsend to that family and I could not help but hurt for him.

The cast did a fantastic job portraying these nuance characters. We need more of this in Asian queer cinema…of course with more happy endings.

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an amazing but disturbing movie that will bring you to tears

I picked up this movie knowing that it was going to completely destroy me. I'd heard about it, but I had no idea it was based on true events. So I looked up the real case that took place in Gwangju Inhwa School, back in the 2000s. Aka the case that this movie dealt with. I must admit that, me searching and learning about it, contributed even more to how much impact it had over me.

In a general way, the aesthetics of the film, the music, the production were all on point. The acting too, I mean, all of them, including the children did an amazing job. I highly believe they did justice to the delicacy of the film. It was a "quiet" movie in the sense that every scene is handled with the utmost care (as it should be), yet it's not boring at all, nor is it slow. The movie practically rushes by, in a great way.

As for the story, it was incredible and very well executed. It's a story that touches us and is unfortunately very true, not just because it was a specific case, but because sexual abuse and child abuse is a huge problem that, however much we want to solve it, is often not solved as it should be. For that same reason, I think the ending of the movie was a good choice because the intention of it, I believe, was to convey a message, where not everything can be the fiction we would like. Of course, from a viewer's point of view, I would have loved a fair ending, where the perpetrators were punished as they deserved. But as I said, reality isn't always fair, and this movie, in my opinion, wasn't about entertainment. That's why it's such a real and heavy piece of cinema.

Rewatch Value: I put it at 1.0, but I can't really change the overall, as it would be unfair. It's a 10 regardless, great movie, but would I watch it again? Definitely not. I was already expecting it to be heavy, but when the first scene of abuse came along, I was really shaken. I could never bring myself to watch something like that again, as it really made my stomach turn. It's really not an easy movie to swallow for anyone, especially if you're sensitive.

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A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Miracles

"Be With You" is a touching South Korean romance film that leaves a lasting impression with its heartfelt story and endearing characters. Adapted from a Japanese novel, the film masterfully blends fantasy and emotion, making it a must-watch for those who enjoy love stories with a touch of magic.
The story revolves around Woo-jin, a devoted husband and father, who is struggling to cope with the loss of his wife, Soo-ah. On a rainy day, Woo-jin is stunned to find Soo-ah returning to him, but she has no memory of her past life. As they rekindle their relationship, the film explores themes of love, family, and the power of memories.

Woo-jin (So Ji-sub): Woo-jin is a caring and dedicated father who is doing his best to raise his son alone. So Ji-sub's portrayal of Woo-jin is both poignant and relatable, capturing the character's deep love and vulnerability. His performance adds a layer of authenticity to the film's emotional core.
Soo-ah (Son Ye-jin): Soo-ah's return is a miracle that brings both joy and confusion. Son Ye-jin beautifully portrays Soo-ah's warmth and tenderness, making her character's journey of rediscovery and love deeply moving. Her chemistry with So Ji-sub is undeniable, enhancing the film's romantic essence.

Visual and Sound Design

The film's cinematography is stunning, with beautiful landscapes and intimate scenes that highlight the characters' emotions. The soundtrack is equally enchanting, with melodies that complement the film's touching moments and enhance its overall atmosphere.

"Be With You" is a feel-good film that tugs at the heartstrings and celebrates the enduring power of love. Its blend of fantasy and reality creates a magical experience that resonates with viewers long after the credits roll. With strong performances from its lead actors and a story that is both heartwarming and bittersweet, "Be With You" is a delightful watch for anyone seeking a romantic escape.

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Things could have been more obvious

I decided to watch this one on its release day to know what it is actually about among the queerbaiting news on media.

"Tian Yu, don't die. I'm here waiting for you"
"I'm here waiting for you"
"I'm still here waiting for you"

My first thought would be that the relationship between Tian Yu and A Xiang is completely vauge and yes, I totally feel they do have feelings toward each other. A Xiang has been guided by Tian Yu since childhood, which encouraged A Xiang to explore the world and break his own limit. What A Xiang did is all on purple since he knew all about Tian Yu from the first encounter. I surely bet A Xiang have more feelings toward Tian Yu while Tian Yu on the other hand, is kinda indecisive and unclear when it comes to express his feeling. Wished there should at least one more physical action to make things clear about them.

I can understand why people became completely frozen in shock because of the end. I was like paralyzed while seeing "cloned" character after their demise since I have witnessed what happened to them. I enjoyed a lot at the first half, but it got totally confusing and made me think a lot at the latter part. The movie did included some queer elements like Leslie Cheung and Nomad (I might be wrong since the red poster wrote Numad), Tian Yu did use Leslie's song lyrics so the Homoerotics Subtext tag here is relevant imo.

Otherwise, I appreciate the how good the cinematography goes to make the movie look poetic, nostalgic along with nice music and main OST, and the casts are top notch. Not mentioning how the crew and cast promoted this movie, I still consider this as a story about unfinished love relationship of two persons even though neither said love words. The plot is not really intense or highly twisted, and enjoyable overall. I would respect your view if you thought having no NC scenes or simply a real kiss is queerbaiting or brotherhood. Taiwanese movies have never been labeled as BL anyway.

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Go watch it if you like a "GL with a great plot"!

The movie was worth every second. I loved it. Great plot with great twists. if you love watching gls, this is the one you must not miss.I loved the chemistry between the couple, Everything was too real. You could see all in just their eyes. The cast was amazing. Both girls are great actors, No boring scenes , you might get confused at times trying to understand the story but the ending is the most satisfying one.

Do read the tags before watching its strictly 18+, the sex scenes were greatly produced , nothing censored, there are bdsm scenes but all just add to the story and make it more real and they are necessary, there is a little bit of comedy. The ost at the end is very beautiful and pleasant. I loved the transition of mc to a guy cuz she looked like one , I loved her and her acting too much, the other girl was also very pretty in the gown, I loved her, she acted great. It was a great movie and i must rewatch it some day.

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better as series

acting - bland and awkward, especially when it's only the two (the guy and girl main characters), when they found the remnants, it became bearable

story progress - the beginning and ending is confusing, the first 5 min mark was notable but typical, but the next scenes, when the girl main character entered the virtual world was confusing, the shift of events at first were not that clear - if it's a dream or virtual reality, the ending was also confusing, it wasn't clear when did she met South Pole again, after the restaurant w/ note scene, it wasn't clear anymore if the "Luxuria" was a dream, an illusion, reality (there's the floating spy camera surveillance something that caught them in the game so how), or game (but how when it was destroyed already?)

overall plot - this could be better as a series, even if it's just 8 eps long, this was, questions would be answered and the story build up would be better

if you want the same genre, I would recommend 19th floor, a chinese series, similar but better.

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