Miao Miao

I went into this movie (like all movies) with no expectations and even at the end when the credits were rolling I really wanted to like this movie but there were just some things in this film that didn't sit right with me.

Without giving anything away, the director has a very heavy-handed approach in trying to illicit an emotional response from the viewer. Loud rock music and forced tears coupled with over-dramatic situations leaves some of the scenes feeling out of place and out of sync with the film.

The lead Character Ai feels entirely two-dimensional throughout the film. Even through two confessions, she doesn't feel fully developed. A plot driven movie this is not which leaves everything in the hands of its performers and the performers are not able to fully keep it all together.

The film was an enjoyable little experience but you won't be walking away feeling something significant.

A little unfocused, could have done with better editing and story-telling and even better leads. Well, actually I wasn't crazy about Miao Miao at all. I couldn't really warm up to her or root for her, she was too aloof and charmless and her sudden crush makes no sense, maybe it's my adult mind, but really there's no need to be so heartbroken over a guy who barely notices you're alive. And Ai and Miao Miao's dynamic is very strong in the beginning but then takes second place, that why I'm saying some better editing would have helped maybe. Chen Fei's trauma surrounding Bei could also have benefitted from better story-telling as I was pretty unsure of what was happening with them and when. He himself articulates it towards the end so that clears things up. Anyway, better stay away from Fei types. The likes of him only look good from afar.

All in all I felt the first love, first heartbreak type of conclusion was kind of forced, but I am sure plenty of people find it charming and it's rather short so why not... Also, time capsule of the 2000s. Those haircuts... Again, the poster is not in the movie.

I went into this movie not knowing anything about it, and I believe that that was in fact the best way, with no expectations. It has a lot going for it. The acting was good, and the actors themselves were likable. The plot, while simple, was solid, if not unique, and it had good, if not great pacing. it is a very Taiwanese movie, cinematically.

On the other hand, it is short, not even an hour and a half, when it could've had another twenty minutes, or forty if you removed a couple of the silly and extraneous parts. The film is also quite heavy handed in its homosexual themes which only hurts the story as the pseudo-homosexual relationships in the film are not functions of the plot nor contribute to it, but are repeatedly explicitly demonstrated. That is probably the most significant fault, a movie about relationships, focusing on gay relationships, where no one is explicitly gay, but just superficially interested in the same sex. Needless to say, it is a bit messy on that level.

It is cute, however, it is a love story that isn't really tragic, but in a way heartwarming. It is worth a watch, if only because it is still well made, and possibly entertaining.