18 ANOS DEPOIS

Interesting. I've been thinking about a similar core for a story for many years, now.

So, while I anticipated the direction it would take early on, it was also deeply rewarding to see a similar core so well-executed. It felt like finally closing a book I'd been reading for ages.. or as if I was watching something that was made for me, and loosely based on similar experiences and thoughts.

Naturally, this film is far more developed than anything I could have created, with its rich layers and memorable moments. The scenery, the narrative structure, and the excellent leading actors. It's so much more than just the basic framework I had in mind! With people from different places, cultures and languages.

Today, I'm quite satisfied.

I am a huge fan of Taiwanese movies and this one did not disappoint. This movie is beautiful and poignant, and even though I could kind of see how it would end from the beginning, it was still done tastefully. Between the flashbacks from 18 years ago and the present time, the movie weaved a touching story about two people who fell in love but weren't destined to be together. Even so, they spent each day appreciating every moment. They lived and learned and although they couldn't love, the feelings had already grown within them. They were young and hopeful, but they were also scared of the unknown and of hurting each other. And just like that, time had slipped by and 18 years had flown by. It left me feeling a little sad honestly. Anyway, the cinematography and colour grading in this movie is excellent and it was a visual feast.

It's one of those movies that gets you from the present to specific moments from the main character's past. The story is beautifully intertwined and touches the adult life and the young days so naturally. It has nostalgic moments and also vibrant moments. Hopeful moments, funny moments and realistic moments. It portrays traveling with trains and the beautiful new sights that you can discover when traveling. But the main topic is finding yourself, getting to terms with the old you - the one that you were - having peace with yourself and what happened and what didn't happen in your life. When a chapter is ending in your life, to find strength to continue your life and decide what you want to do next.

This movie moved me deeply - I happened to watch it on my plane ride back from my first experience traveling to Taiwan. I related to a lot of how the protagonist felt during his developmental years as a restless soul looking to find himself.

I felt that this movie beautifully captured the existential tension between past (& present) loves. And the process of letting go despite the pain from dreams/life unlived. Although this type of story has been done before and is a recurring trope, this felt like a fresh take with great character development, and a rich view into the cultural context of both Japan/Taiwan.

Overall I think this movie is super underrated, and I highly recommend it for all audiences regardless of cultural background or age (young or old), since we can relate to the humanity in the characters.

Very good storytelling that unfolds between flashbacks and the present 18 years apart. Also found the 3 way narrative very interesting and enlightening. The story bounces from the perspectives of one protagonist to the other and then back again; the same scenes but story told from a different angle and a final response from the first protagonist.

The purity of a simple first love woven with messy setbacks of adulthood. A colorful temple, lively KTV and bustling night market scenes of Taiwan contrasting with a grey tone castle, one-customer-in-the-whole-noodle-shop night supper and quiet winter beauty of Japan. These multilayered and textured settings are so close to the heart for a Taiwanese and Japanese culture junkie like me. Like a parallel drawn in two spaces and time, the poignant sky lantern scenes mark stark differences in moods and aspirations.

I do recommend this highly to those in need of closure, to whom who have loved & lost, to the many who might feel lost (don't we all, at some point in time?) and lastly more lightheartedly to those who want a culture trip. ^__^