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...
Bailey is a single middle-aged man living with his medicated mother in Florida, who suffers from chronic pain. He’s also going through his own issues, having recently losing his dog by a tragic accident, and being informed that he will be losing his job at the end of the year due to company closure. His mother tells him that her close friend and her son Greyson are looking to move to their town and for that Greyson will come and spend 2-3 days with them. Greyson and Bailey used to be close friends when they were younger but it's been 30 years now. Greyson and Bailey spend a few days together remembering memories of past, what they like and slowly discover that they have more in common than what they both thought, including a continued admiration for each other, after one night when Bailey kisses Greyson. They both profess their love for one another and around Christmas Greyson and his mother also move making them all happy. Around same time, Bailey's estranged brother also shows up and an old friend of his gifts him a puppy for Christmas. Bailey realizes what a wonderful life he truly has with his family, dog and his love of life.
The film is a very straightforward film. There are literally no conflicts and I understand that makers probably wanted to make a feel good holiday film, which is good. But sadly, there is nothing remotely interesting about the premise or the direction either. Actors do a decent job on what they were asked of, but the film is so wordy and just talk talk talk and not much otherwise. Keep in mind that this is an amateur, low budget, independent film. It is evident in every aspect of the film - the writing, acting, directing, sets, costumes, everything. I mean, yes, I applaud people who have passion for films and at least give it a go and try and do something, so fun marks for the effort and probably the hard work that went in. Sadly, same cannot be said about he film. It is simply extremely boring. (3/10)
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