This Vietnamese show isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it definitely keeps you hooked. It’s a quick watch with 10 episodes that only last about 15 to 20 minutes each, and even though it uses all the usual BL tropes, it really works because you can't help but root for the underdog. The romance actually takes its time to show up and then wraps up pretty fast, but the characters still feel way more relatable than in a lot of other shows like this. The story follows Phuc, who moves from Hanoi to Saigon to open his dream bar and live with his girlfriend. Things go sideways immediately when he arrives a day early to surprise her and catches her cheating, so he breaks up with her and leaves. He ends up reaching out to his old childhood neighbors, Cong and his sister Han, who he hasn't seen in years. The siblings are struggling on their own with a massive debt and Han’s poor health. Han thinks her brother works at a convenience store, but Cong is actually a heavy for a criminal gro...
Joao is a 32-year-old filmmaker living in San Paulo, who after ending his 10-year relationship with Hugo, turns to dating apps in search of another boyfriend. He believes that the relationship ended on a. High note which is good, because just like a TV series you don't wanna leave when things get boring. He throws himself on dating apps but doesnt jump to meet people. He wants to take things slow. meets up with a couple, Alexandre and Rodrigo, and his voyeurism leads to an unforeseen career flirtation. He also meets Viktor, whom he likes but after a couple of flings dthatfades away as well. He is also a struggling filmmaker. His screenplay is delayed by his production company. Tired of editing boring institutional and educational films, he finds success as a cameraman filming private couples having sex in amateur arty porn films, some of whom invite him into the action which he declines thanks to the gay couple whom he met earlier. Joao decides to put his life into writing as a script, but if his relationship doesn’t go as planned, he edits his entire idea. If romance doesn’t work out with Leo, he can always replace him with Vitor. If Vitor flakes, he can bring in Orlando. It’s an entertaining device that has an undercurrent of emotional avoidance for João. The film feels like a sitcom at times, though not hysterically funny.
The pacing of the film occasionally feels somewhat uneven. The narrative begins abruptly and moves slowly, but finds its rhythm as we watch Joāo explore his past relationships and his new side gig, filming amateur porn. HIs lovers come and go, And I was also confused a few times on what really is the film trying to say! He uses his dates to enhance his script. Also, why so much focus on the filming of amateur sex? Maybe it is suggesting that engaging with intimate moments isn't inherently shameful, but can be a powerful means of personal growth and artistic expression. As an audience there were times I was able to see myself in Joao as he juggles professional and romantic trials. The actor playing the lead was fantastic, but as I mentioned before, I really am not taking anything back with me from the film. Did he have a happy ending, when he met yet another guy? Also , maybe the version I had was bad subtitles, but I am not sure why the tiles of the movie. Overall, the film is neither erotic, nor funny , it's just just average and slightly dull worth watching and just forgetting. (5/10)
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