Here we go again with another vertical BL series that pretty much raids the entire toolbox of tropes we've grown used to. Even though it hits every cliché on the list, I have to say it actually wasn't bad. It was a relief to see fewer toxic side characters than usual, and for some reason, the chemistry between the two leads really clicked for me. Outside of that, the show has the whole works: scary debt collectors looking for their cash, a guy in total distress, a hero swooping in to save the day, a sick family member, and a dangerous ex-girlfriend who’s out for blood. The story follows Keith, a struggling single dad who’s been dealing with a daughter in the hospital for two straight years—which is a crazy long time when you think about the bills piling up. He’s drowning in debt and has ruthless collectors breathing down his neck while he scrapes by with odd jobs. Then there’s Gavin, a pro boxer. Their lives crash together when Gavin jumps into a fight to save Keith. Realizing ...
Ryan is an openly gay Chinese American, working towards his dream of leading a magazine cover shoot. He is doing ok but hasnt quite established himself yet.When upcoming Beijing film actor Ning arrives in New York , his request of being styled by a Chinese stylist fits the bill for Ryan. Ryan is very American in his ways, doesn't read or understand Mandarin and has no interest in his Chinese heritage. When Ning realizes that Ryan is gay, he first fires Ryan but this job is important for him , so Ryan convinces him to take him back and also making it very clear that Ryan is only into white men, so Ning need not worry about Ryan hitting on him. The strict professional relationship starts growing due to complications that involve race and cultural identity. During a photoshoot, when a guy casts racial stereotype on both of them, it unites them both. Ning and Ryan both slowly start to understand each other's world. Ning gets to know why Ryan is the way he is and his background is with his immigrant parents and how its important for Ryan. One night at a party, they get real close and get physical. No Ryan understands briefly on Ning's need to remain in closet and why that is important for a public personality like Ning who lives in China. You see both of them falling in love but they both hold back. When a magazine captures the two men together, Ryan is forced by Ning to make a statement that he is just a friend. Ryan, who almost decided to move to China for work, take a restock and looks forward to his life, especially when Ning tells him about this old Chinese saying that " You need to give you something in order to realize your dream"
There are so many good things and good moments in the film, that its difficult to put them all here. I absolutely loved the fact, how Ryan slowly gets to connect with his Chinese heritage, something he has always tried to ignore and become an American. This struggle is something I and a lot of my friends deal with constantly. The chemistry between Ryan and Ning is magical. You go on a journey with them where it starts with distrust, friendship and eventually what seems like love. Neither of them say it but you see both of them have this special feeling for each other but neither of them will be able to take the decision. Both the characters are complex and as an audience, we are made to understand why they are, the way they are without over justifying their actions and especially without over-dramatizing everything. The film is more about Ryan's self discovery and identity and not about sexuality. Its the way he reconnects with his heritage that makes this film more endearing for me. Both me are extremely good looking and bring the characters of Ryan and Ning alive on screen and its fun to watch them. There are also some nice light moments in the film. I was quite impressed with small touches of quotes written on Ryan's apartment wall which makes it very personal to his space. I am very glad that the film didn't follow a cliched path and ended up with 2 men being together. It was more practical that this could not happen and the two men will eventually go their own separate ways, but neother of them will be able to forget each other. Ning taught Ryan about reconnecting with his Chinese heritage and Ryan teaches Ning about how and why its not that hard to be true to yourself and not be in closet.
I would highly recommend this film. There are way too many good about this film and needs to be seen by more people. Besides sexuality, its also about your identity, personal and professional and relationships and people and everything. The film has soul. (8/10)
Comments
Now I can't dare not to watch it : You are my master of good taste for the tenth Art.