All These Years

It's quite a feat to recognize a guy by the back of his head after 13 years. Quite something... I chose to watch this for Zhang Xincheng cause he's cute and I know he can act. I've only seen him in one drama series but it was good (minus the ending) and he had crazy chemistry with the female lead. He does not disappoint at all here, especially in the "mature" scenes, but the story and the characters are so, so tropey and unimaginative that I honestly didn't enjoy it. The chemistry is there when they're older, but when they're in high school it's awkward and unconvincing because she is so shy and naive and prone to being bullied and oh my lord she cries so loud like a child. I could tell this is how they wanted it to look cause she can act in other ways in other scenes, which is why the whole thing was so disappointing. Essentially this story does not bring anything new, despite the efforts of the people on screen.

And the main thing that really annoyed me was the mother. I have never in my life seen a mother like that in real life, so dismissive and inconsiderate of her own daughter when her husband clearly cherishes her. Where would that come from? She is so completely over the top that it felt so so fake just to amp the drama. When they say she is from a patriarchal family I honestly imagined something completely different. This dynamic makes no sense. Actually the romance is the only thing that runs smoothly in this movie. All the obstacles are external. Still, I didn't really root or ache for them. I just wanted that mother to get her comeuppance and for Jianxia to just run as far away as she can from these ungrateful people.

I refuse to believe this movie's rating is this low in here, usually IMDb is quite reliable but this is not it, not sure if there's some hate or boycott against it and I haven't heard about it though.

The movie is just brilliant, those kind of Chinese movies that they know how to make extremely good.

Starting off showing you the main couple as adults but then taking you back to their past and how they met and how their life together started. It hooks you right in.

The rhythm and pace is perfect and very dynamic and quickly you will be completely lost in their story and will want to know what will happen to them.

The the storytelling in the movie was nothing short of amazing. The script was well-crafted, weaving a narrative that not only engaged the audience but also tugged at the heartstrings. The emotions of the characters were beautifully portrayed, thanks to the skilled writing that allowed us to genuinely feel and connect with their journey.

One standout element was the remarkable growth of the male lead, portrayed by the incredibly talented Zhang Xin Cheng. At only 28 years old, showcased a level of expressiveness and depth that spoke volumes about his acting prowess. It's impressive to witness an actor evolve so much in just a few years ( he was already AWESOME in Go Ahead) and his contribution undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the movie's success.

The characters themselves were written with layers that added complexity and authenticity to their personalities and as the story unfolded, I appreciated how their development was evident, allowing the audience to witness their growth over time. This multi-dimensional approach to character writing added depth to the narrative and made the viewing experience even more satisfying.

One aspect that particularly stood out was the effective use of humor. The subtlety with which it was integrated into the storyline added a layer of lighthearted fun, creating a nice contrast to the emotional depth of the movie. This delicate balance between humor and heartfelt moments showcased the versatility of the storytelling.

The chemistry between our main couple Zhang Xin Cheng and Sun Qian was nothing short of beautiful. What began as a strong bond of friendship, trust, and loyalty evolved into a powerful love story. The passion in Zhang Xin Cheng's eyes as he portrayed his character's emotions was palpable and added an extra layer of authenticity to the romance.

In conclusion, I believe this is a great movie you shouldn't miss, you will regret it if you don't watch it so please go ahead ( see what I did there?? ;) ) and add it to your list now!

The acting and visuals were great, but I think the story really shone through here. This movie was less about romance, and more about the pains of growing up and learning to find your footing in a world that constantly tries to tear you down.

The protagonist, Chen Jianxia, is a realistic and compelling character that you can't help but root for. Her family troubles with her mother who's constantly favouring her younger brother, and her desire to succeed in academics and make a name for herself is really captivating. She's a well-balanced character who's soft-hearted and compassionate, but also grows to be tough and able to stand for herself. The male lead, Li Ran, is funny, sweet, and devoted. He's really the ultimate hype-man. Together, you can't help but root for their friendship and eventual love. Even their relationship turmoil and realistic and portrayed in a mature manner. And their eventual reunion and reconciliation is beautifully built up to and developed on both sides.

The movie is a bit fast-paced, but every character got their time to shine. It does a great job of showing how circumstances can affect a person's future and their choices. A lot of the important scenes from the novel got cut, but for a movie that spans over a decade - I think the producers did a great job in capturing all the triumphs and challenges, emotion and character depths. Overall, great movie.