18×2 Beyond Youthful Days

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.

"18x2: Beyond Youthful Days" is the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Its quiet storytelling, cinematic warmth, and beautifully restrained performances made it feel less like a movie and more like a memory I was being gently pulled into. The pacing is slow but intentional, allowing each emotion to breathe-nothing is rushed, and that's what makes the emotional payoff so powerful.

I felt an effortless connection to the characters, their longing, and the tenderness buried in the everyday. The cinematography is breathtaking in its simplicity-never showy, but always meaningful. And those final 30 minutes? An emotional crescendo that completely broke me in the best way.

This isn't just a love story. It's a reflection on time, choices, and the people we carry with us even when they're gone. Subtle, honest, and achingly beautiful.

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. ^__^

An interesting story. In this movie, we are made to feel the warm feelings of love in an old story, while being preoccupied by the empty feelings of pursuing future dreams.

It starts with meeting, growing up together, falling in love, separation, and then reunited when they support each other's dreams.