ratboyfrommars

Time doesn't really determine how strong of a connection you make with someone or something, and this is no different. I've only been a fan for a little under a year, but this movie had the same impact as it would've if I'd been a fan for years and years. The narration, camerawork, and structure of the film was poetic and intimate. The 85 minutes flew by in a warm, quiet in which we laughed when the boys made dumb jokes, watched in loving admiration as we saw little snippets of them performing onstage, saw closeups of them as they reflected on the recent past (their performances or rehersals) and the far past (like their come-up), and cooed over Kim Taehyung's dog, Yeontan (the highlight of the movie!) When the movie ended and the screen went black and the lights turned on, no one got up from their seat for a bit, all of us looking around in a "Is it really over?" sort of way because it was like being pulled out of a dream and it felt so *short* despite so much happening. Not even the 8-episode docuseries that was released on Youtube Red could've prepared me for the flurry of emotions this movie brought, and I'm forever grateful for it. Here's to a long time! 10/10

Nothing, and I mean nothing, has ever messed me up like this brilliant show did, and the best thing about that is that among all the sad moments, there were a lot of really powerful happy moments that brought forth just as much if not more tears. I can't even begin to describe how important this show is, and I'm not sure if it's even possible to put it properly in words. Throughout the show, we see the evolution of each character, Merlí included, partly thanks to Merlí's amazing advice and their own initiative. The suffering and success faced by these characters is all explainable in some way or form, so When his teachings of philosophy go beyond the classroom and the characters apply these ideas to their own lives and relationships, the beauty of having a teacher who actually cares about connecting with their students in a non-superficial way really hit me. Each character that came and went left their mark, but their loss never felt out of place or useless. This show had me feeling nostalgic for characters and memories I've only been aware of for a few days, had me loving each and every one of the characters because an actual effort was made by the writers and actors to make them understandable, and had me sobbing at how absurdly perfect some moments were. This was beautifully written, beautifully filmed, beautifully acted, and powerful in its subtlety. Watch. This. Show. Watch it, fall in love with it, gain an interest in philosophy, pay attention, and allow yourself to really *think*. 10/10!