Moneyboys

I tried so hard to stick with this film, needing to watch it in three parts.

As other users have said, the cinematography is beautiful and it has many redeeming productive value features.

What is critically lacking though is any real reason to get behind the main protagonist Fei. Although he is claimed to be selfless, this really doesn't translate to the film.

Fei is often moping and locked in his own spiral of melancholy. It's difficult to root for a character who doesn't give the audience much to work with!

While not a bad film by any means, at times it can be a real drag to watch and invest in.

The film was wonderful to watch. It covers the topic of male prostitution in Taiwan/China, and the trauma that many gay/bisexual/MSM men face in society. A large part of this is due to the familial pressure to marry and have children, which is something many young people in Taiwan and China may relate to.

The film was deliberately slow paced. It relied on body language, situational context and reading between the lines. The story was dark, impactful and meaningful. The film shines light on the greater societal issues of sexualization, homophobia, and poverty. Not an easy topic to explore.

The cinematography was simple and beautiful.

Empathic and leisurely vision of people in quite desperation and everything making one hard choice over another entails.

Filmed in a set of restrained long-takes, this just feels like regular life and that is where a lot of its power lies.

Neither romanticized, nor sensational. People just get on with boring old life where you do whatever work falls into your lap.

More episodic than plot-driven.

This director loves the gimmick of using captions that peak behind the dark screen.

It's hard to know what else to say; they did not over think or over complicate this. I suppose that's how you know it's close to the mark.

After i watched the movie i feel its a good movie for youngsters, because the movie carries a nice message to the public more than an entertainer!

If you're wanting for a film that avoids the tired cliches of so much current gay-themed content, I highly recommend Moneyboys. It is a very assured debut from director CB Yi, who displays incredible restraint in telling the story of a young Chinese sex worker dealing with the trials of work, love, family and displacement.

The cinematography is absolutely stunning with each scene beautifully composed. The camera perspective is often at a distance, which adds to a feeling of remoteness and detachment. This is the same feeling projected by the main character, played with restraint and empathy by Kai Ko.

There are many scenes where few words are spoken but much is said in the pauses and silence. Some may find the tone of Moneyboys too formal and the pacing too measured, but with patience you'll be treated to a moving story of compassion and acceptance.