This left such an incredibly deep impression on me that even now, as I reminisce and try to write a review, I have tears in my eyes. I've watched the film several times and will probably never get enough. It's a beautifully heartfelt film with outstanding performances from everyone. When I first watched it, I was left with an intense and beautiful feeling about life, friendship, love, and the moment. I thought to myself that each of us has our own "Isle of Capri song" moment, one in which we'd like to stay forever, where we feel alive, strong, and happy. And even though it's not possible-or maybe precisely because it's not possible-we should deeply cherish every such moment that comes our way. We should live it, not hesitate, maybe even take risks. That same moment will never return.
The creators play with time here-from the perspective of time travel, aging, waiting for love-allowing the viewer to think and feel. Love is beautiful, crazy, patient, painful, and cruel, but above all, eternal. It can endure through time, transcend illness, and heal the soul. It can be the only thing that keeps a person going. All the relationships in this film are so real and well-developed. How difficult it must have been to love someone of the same gender in 1991, or how hard it must have been to wait for your love for 31 years. Just as a son who can't understand his aging father, who is slipping away from reality, but with knowledge of the past, suddenly truly understand and love him. (The scene of the son bathing his father in 2022 is probably my absolute favorite, as is the ending itself).
I was completely absorbed by it in every way-whether by the beautiful scenes, the theme of time travel, the cast, the costumes, or the music. I don't categorize this film as BL, or a gay film, or even an Asian film; it belongs in the general category of all films and has become one of my absolute favorites. It is my wish for this film to reach as many viewers as possible. It's true that not everyone may understand it, or not on the first viewing, but the creators made it in such a way that we cannot say who understands it and who doesn't. Everyone can perceive it in their own way; everyone can see something different in it, or a different detail may matter to them. It can evoke different questions and answers in each person-or perhaps leave them unanswered-but emotionally, I believe most people will agree that it touches the soul. It is unique and exceptional. And I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend it to absolutely everyone.
