Reviews

Acting doesn't let you down

Investigations into a string of murders involving students attending a girls' school in the village, starts unravelling dark truths which might help capture the killer. Movie goes in a decent pace, with smooth plot twists incorporated seamlessly. The actoring imho is top notch. Cinematography and sceneries being a wonderful bonus.

If you can handle the strong disturbing tags including child abuse, domestic abuse, violence, bullying - I'd suggest not to look too much into reviews or comments, and dive right into the movie.

Beginnings have the power to capture the interest of the viewer, middle is THE whole substance but a really good ending is leaves the movie lingering in one's mind. Every part was delivered well in this movie.
It was a beautiful wrap up, nailed in the feels, and music was so impactful!!

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Great film but left me mixed feelings

I just watched on Netflix after wanting to watch it for a long time, and it lived up to my expectations. I wanted a queer angst story with beautiful scenery kind of film. And it did give me that.
But it let me down with the ending and the plot twist, if it can be called like that?

I suffered throughout the last half of the movie, I didn’t like the way it turned out; it just wasn’t what I wanted from the storyline, it was a happy ending at least.

Tian Yu and Yi Xiang were both great characters, the acting and chemistry was outstanding and cute. Totally won my heart.

I would say that indeed, it’s not a BL movie like people were saying. But they definitely were gay for each other, that was pretty clear to me. Just nothing explicit.

Overall, it’s a great film, with good acting, visuals, and the music too. Not the best plot, but not bad either. I think you should give it a chance for sure.

SPOILER:
I NEED TO SAY THIS:
I WAS REALLY MAD ABOUT THE FESTIVAL, god I just wanted them to happily see the fireworks together. My heart was torn apart on that scene when Tian Yu was waiting for Yi Xiang and he was fighting for his life and wanted to go with him. <\3

And I just can’t stop thinking that yeah at the ending Tian Yu got Yi Xiang/ Jin Run Fa back but it wasn’t really his A Xiang, since he didn’t remember anything about him, that’s what I didn’t liked about the movie. Why he had to die? And then be replaced for another version of himself somehow… IT DIDNT FEEL RIGHT TO ME, IDK

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The time travel makes the film unique among other recent Taiwanese LGBT productions

Who has not ever dreamed of taking a walk through the gladiator era in the Roman Colosseum or playing chess with Napoleon Bonaparte? As long as mobile phones do not incorporate the function of taking leaps through History – something impossible and unusual, at least for the moment –, there is always the option of dreaming thanks to cinema.
For as long as we have been aware of it, the passage of time and its nature have fascinated humanity. Particularly in cinema, time travel and temporal paradoxes have proven to be a resource that, well used, has given rise to truly fascinating films, from well-established classics like 'Back to the Future' to recent gems like 'The Time of Huan Nan', a romantic Taiwanese LGBT+ adventure directed by Leading Lee ('Anywhere, Somewhere, Nowhere', 2014).
Starring Hsia Teng Hung, Wang Yu Ping, Edison Song and Chu Meng Hsuan, the film evokes other notable Taiwanese films, while exploring LGBT+ relationships, family relationships, parents' refusal to accept their children's homosexuality and the market traditional Huan Nan, with a history of 55 years, located in the Monga delta, bathed by the Tamsui River and the Xindian River, in the Mongka district of Taipei.
Inspired by true events, field research and production took more than three years and the film is a strong collaborative project with various departments of the Taipei City government. It was filmed on location in the district and cast many local market vendors.
Although the supreme objective of the film is to represent this historic place where thousands of inhabitants of the island capital converge daily, 'The Time of Huan Nan' is more than the sum of its parts and is a moving work.
Epic, intimate, and with intense colors, 'The Time of Huan Nan' reminded me of 'Les 7 Vies de Léa', a French series released by Netflix in 2022, and which also takes us back 30 years to 1991, but in This case involves teenagers. Something like this happens in the Taiwanese film, although not as complicated.
The film revolves around Chen Yao Hua (Hsia Teng Hung), a daring high school student who in the year 2022, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, works in the historic market at the family butcher stall. While filming with his cell phone his father, Chen Bao Ding, who in the middle of a depression dances on the roof of the market with a sword, Chen is suddenly transported 31 years ago, to 1991, when his father was young.
The film shows that from this roof you can see the best panoramic night views of all of Taipei.
Mistaken for Liu Yong Hui, a missing high school student (which is why he will be called by that name from then on), Chen Yao Hua unexpectedly enters the circle of three inseparable friends: the young version of his own father (Edison Song), An Jiang Chang (Chu Meng Hsuan), her father's lover, and Yu Kang Ming (Wang Yu Ping), the only female member of the close-knit group of friends and who plays an important role in bonding the four gang members
From the first moments, Chen Yao Hua, who has traveled back in time to trace his father's history and discover why he suffers from depression, falls in love with Yu Kang Ming, but neither of them know how to deal with the other's attraction, and, in turn, discovers that his father is homosexual and has a secret relationship with Chang An Jian.
In this way, in this vibrant and vigorous scene converted into another character, these three homoeroticly filmed handsome men, and the charming girl, take the oath as the "Four Young Brothers of Huan Nan" They hang out at the market and flirt with each other while exploring life's possibilities.
Well filmed and with an outstanding rhythm, the film tells us how the four characters jump between 1991 and 2022, while they experience the changes in their lives and how their passions, desires and regrets develop over just over three decades; and how they can make changes to redeem the losses and pain they endured all that time.
All this against the backdrop of a time that is not tolerant for LGBT+ people in Taiwan, and in which the lives of the four friends will eventually be destroyed.
Full of warmth, sensuality and love, in this sense, 'The Time of Huan Nan' joins the list of Taiwanese films that explore homosexual relationships from martial law to today, as is the case with 'Your Name Engraved Herein', by Kuang-Hui Liu (2020), or 'Girlfriend Boyfriend', by Yang Ye Che (2012).
Likewise, like this last film, or 'Eternal Summer', by director Leste Chen (2006), 'The Time of Huan Nan' presents the dynamics of a love triangle between a heterosexual woman and two homosexual men.
Likewise, 'The Time of Huan Nan' evokes other Taiwanese films, while in its final stages it makes visual references to 'The River', by Tsai Ming-liang, while the dynamic between the four protagonists is reminiscent of 'Mongka', the film by 2010 year by filmmaker Doze Niu, including queer subtext. In this way, these two productions share the environment, taking as their setting that historic district of the Taiwanese capital, considered the oldest neighborhood in the city.
Likewise, the intimate bath that Chen Yao Hua gives to Chen Bao Ding reminds me of the bath, in which perhaps strangely because they are father and son the homoerotic aspect is more than hinted at, the one given by Ah Jie (Roy Chiu) to Zheng Yuan (Spark Chen), in 'Dear Ex', the film directed by Taiwanese Mag Hsu.
However, the time travel narrative makes 'The Time of Huan Nan' unique among other recent Taiwanese LGBT films, and its stylistic flair makes it superior to recent hits like 'Marry My Dead Body'.
This won't be the only bathing scene. This will not be the only intimate and homoerotic moment: the three men will enjoy themselves in a public bathroom, and in it the two young lovers will clean their bodies with soap and water under the curious gaze of Chen Ya Hua. Because yes, in 'The Time of Huan Nan' there will be no sex scenes, not even a shy kiss, but there are many dazzling close-ups of beautiful male faces, torsos and buttocks, and intimate close-ups and sexy players behind a ball in a rugby match
Beyond the good editing, the beautiful photography and an exciting and stimulating story full of convincing performances in which the four protagonists carry the weight of the film, with a powerful mix of charisma and excellent chemistry between them, 'The Time of Huan Nan' also seems like a movie that couldn't have been filmed anywhere in Asia except Taiwan.
The most obvious sign of this is its direct representation of LGBT+ characters and themes. While other Asian countries make films of this genre and theme, they are generally not for general consumption.
In just three months since its premiere on July 13, 2024 at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), 'The Time of Huan Nan' has become a very popular film. This perhaps reflects Taiwan's continuing reputation as the most tolerant place towards LGBT people in East Asia. Although the advances or setbacks in terms of the rights of LGBT+ people may be conditioned by who are the politicians who govern at the level of the entire Island as well as in each district, and impediments that threaten the lives of homosexuals, such as that a gay couple can adopt a child and the impossibility of having property rights and hereditary rights, the widespread success of this film validates and further increases Taiwanese tolerance towards people from that community.
Even the performances of the secondary characters, such as Chen Yao-hua and Chang An-jian's parents, are good, despite their small roles.
The flaws of 'The Time of Huan Nan' are mainly narrative. Chen Yao Hua is perhaps too indifferent to the many new discoveries about his father. Likewise, the film may not stick to its premise, with the time travel plot losing steam towards the end once Chen Yao Hua returns to the present, and is now seen to have been missing for thirty years.
It is dark and complicated to say the least. Especially when he has to worry about an unfolding tragedy: Chang An Jian's disappearance thirty years ago, so he must return to the past once again. But this is not a world in which the future traveler can alter events while traveling through time.
On the other hand, already in the endings, an overly didactic and explanatory section is introduced about the Huan Nan market and the Mongka district, which breaks with the tone and dynamics of the film.

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Good acting, unexpected development

I hadn’t read any reviews before watching this, so for me, the story development came as a surprise.
Writing this without trying to give away spoilers, but if you really don’t want any hints or clues, then stop reading as it is difficult.
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The synopsis on Netflix is really short, and I didn’t really remember if I watched the trailer back when I added it to my watchlist. So, for me, this kind of hit me right in the heart.
Maybe I was expecting a bit more lighthearted banter, and not something that was quite emotional (I cried).
It felt shorter than what it is; I actually felt they could have let some of the story play out in a little more detail.
The two main actors were great; not boisterous taking up a lot of attention, but low-key strong presence.
The ending kind of left me wanting more.

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Not too bad but could have been better

From other reviews I've seen, they said this movie was bad enough to skip, but I gave it a shot. I really like the start in which it was giving upbeat vibes and showing how much the phone is truly relied upon for everything. I really like the first-person perspective, showing only the phone from Na Mi's eyes.



The action could have been better though. The mystery and chase is not as fun when you know who the assailant is. Im Si-wan is a phenomenal actor, so I wish they gave him more time to shine. The whole cast did pretty good though.



Na Mi frustrated me though because she had so many opportunities to fight "Jun-yeong" and even he said so lol.



I don't think this movie was terrible. I think it just needs things added and worked upon.

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Context and interpretation

I am a fan of Leslie Cheung. Leslie Cheung is one of the key points in this A Balloon's Landing drama.

I haven’t read an official statement from the director clarifying whether this film is or isn’t a gay or BL (Boys' Love) story. All I've come across are headlines from people who were upset that the movie confirmed it’s not a BL, feeling that the promotion relied on queerbaiting. I did watch some promotional videos on YouTube, but I don’t really have a strong opinion on them.

Leslie Cheung, who tragically committed suicide in Hong Kong, never publicly confirmed his sexual orientation (though some people feel the need to know). I read his suicide note, which was published by the media, but it didn’t offer any clues. I used to think he was gay, but it’s no longer important since he chose not to share that part of his life with the public. I like to think the reason the director of A Balloon's Landing doesn’t confirm whether this movie is a BL could be because they wanted to go beyond labels and make something more universally relatable.

A Balloon's Landing is beautiful, but it’s not an "A" movie—it’s a "B" movie. The story feels complete by the end, with everything presented, including a key detail about one character's fear of the dark, which is explained in the final part of the movie.

I enjoy road movies because they often showcase landscapes and settings as integral parts of the story. A Balloon's Landing captures these landscapes well, but it doesn't quite do justice to small details—like how the two boys carry small bags, yet their clothes seem to change every day (is it like a magical pocket, a la Doraemon?).

Lastly, I was reminded of The Lake House (with Sandra Bullock), as the mailbox setup in A Balloon's Landing was similar. It helped me connect with the film's story in a more familiar way.

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Sprinting through life

I watched Vida La Viva mainly because of Peng Yu Chang, who has a magnetic screen presence that brings life to any role. However, what truly caught me off guard was the female lead’s performance. Her portrayal was so moving. They both give an emotional depth that felt genuine and heartbreakingly real.

The storyline itself is well-paced and dynamic, carrying viewers along as if we’re living alongside these characters. There’s an urgency to each scene that makes you feel you’re sprinting through life with them, immersing you in their little joy, struggles, and aspirations to fight for their lives. It captures the intensity of their experiences in a way that’s both exhausting and exhilarating.

Will I rewatch it? Though the story telling is impactful and Peng Yu Chang’s films are mostly inspiring, I won’t. A little tears is enough for. (Sigh)

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Sweet and fluffy romance

Well, it is school romance. So expect the good romance! The chemistry between the two leads are so good. And I wish they would have second collaboration as couple in the future.

Now, back to the movie. The storyline and the plot are really simple, and it's nothing you haven't seen before. But a good directing, storytelling, acting, chemistry can make it beautiful on their own. And this one is it. 2 hours, and the storyline are well-packed and nicely done. And I love the friendships between the three girls <3

Ps: sorry for rambling. I rly did not know how to write reviews. This is all my feelings after watching them <3

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Trying too hard

It felt like the movie was trying too hard to be deep . When there arent any explicit scenes on the screen that take up a majority of the attention, all we get is monotonous and dull dialogue that points to some overarching metaphor that they try to pull in. Its okay to put out a purely trashy naughty film, but nope gotta also sprinkle in some artsy meaning in to the film...I guess? Starting from that odd dialogue when Myeong Seon meets Gi Jun for the first time and the discussion oddly goes to hands. What did you notice about me? My hands? You studied my hands? Then Myeong Seon compares Gi Jun's hands to that painting from da Vinci. And then all the hyperfixation of hands begins. Camera angles at Gi Jun's hands getting undressed and dressed. Hands clenching and unclenching in nervousness. He uses his hands nervously to cover his nakedness but Myeong Seon constantly tells him to put his hands away repetitively during the photoshoot. When Myeong Seon is on top of him to get a head shot of Gi Jun's face, he flicks his hand away from the shot. Myeong Seon had mentioned previously that he doesnt heavily edit his photos. It's supposed to be natural. But all we are seeing is dictated postures. Towards the end of the movie they hit you over the head with a close up of Mona Lisa's hands, the infamous painting he mentioned at the start. You can know a lot about a person from the hands. Gi Jun's hands is soft like the painting he says. But Myeong Seon chooses to ignore it and flicks it away and that's how he treats their affair. He does not care if Gi Jun is already in a relationship with someone else. He is aloof and mean and he knows it and purposefully so. He chooses to keep a distance and tries not to get too involved. At the end of the movie when he tries to look for a photo of Gi Jun and finds it tucked away in a book, you can tell it is heavily edited. Blemishes are erased. It isnt natural but posed. When Myeong meets Gi Jun's look-alike, Jung Hyun, you can tell he has regrets now that the roles are reversed. This man looks like Gi Jun but he is strong in personality and demeanor. He is not soft. The professional camera isnt used on this look-alike. You see Myeong Seon using a 35mm film camera when he unexpectedly runs into a sleeping Jung Hyun in the woods taking candor shots of the "fake" Gi Jun. Myeong Seon is also shown using a poloraid to get raw and imperfect instant photos of Jung Hyun passed out on their bed. When he gets intimate with Jung Hyun, it ocassionally shifts the camera to first person pov which hadnt happen before with Gi Jun when he was trying so hard to keep space and distance as photographer and subject. Perspective has changed as Myeong Seon is trying to reclaim those feelings. Then the mystery continues: Is Gi Jun and Jung Hyung the same person? Overall, it didnt matter to me cause I didnt care to know. All this got clouded by boring dialogue with not much effort with character development and a weak plot.

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The story line was very poorly executed with very bad pacing.

The good thing about this movie was first of all the concept, the storyline sounded really intriguing to me in the beginning which is why I chose to watch it. The female lead’s acting was also but really good, and that’s probably all the good things I have to say about this movie.

On the other hand, all the bullying scenes were just given as a montage which I think was one of the biggest pitfalls as it made the bullying seem also irrelevant so it was really unusual when she decided to commit suicide at the end. It also just really confused me and made the timeline really skewed. Also, they skipped a lot of important scenes between the male lead and female lead, so, i feel like they failed to portray how deep their relationship and connection was to each other. Same for the female lead’s relationship to her childhood friend, they didn’t even seem like friends, their relationship was so distant. When she was ranting to him about how crappy her life is, he seemed to not care, which seemed unrealistic in my opinion. I still cannot fathom how the movie was so long when they barely even showed anything.
This could’ve been a great movie if it was better executed, overall, i just feel disappointed.

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Possibly my favorite BL

I wouldn't have expected this to hit so hard. I loved everything about it.

The actors were able to deliver an amazing performance, perfectly portraying the emotions of this bittersweet and beautiful story. Their chemistry was on point too and surely had me hooked.
Although many could deem this drama as boring because the plot isn't the most exceptional or new, it didn't bother me at all. It rather made it easy to watch, without any annoying obstacles ruining the flow of the story. I was constantly emerged in the story, in each character and the pain they had to go through.
Also, I loved that it was filmed in a rural region and during fall because that created a dreamy, unique vibe. In general, I really liked the cinematography, the colors used throughout the series.
In addition, the OST fit the atmosphere of the story well and sounds really touching.

Out of all the BLs I have watched yet, this is one of my favorites...

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