Us and Them (2018)

I don't know man.

I wasn't really feeling the movie at the beginning. Everything seemed confusing, especially the relationship between the main characters. But that was more or less my fault, I wasn't paying that much attention.

The movie kind of plays in front of you, nothing happens, but you are still watching. The plot is the relationship... but not like in rom-coms when there are lots of things happening around the main couple. Here... almost nothing happens. And yet you keep watching.

I don't know what to tell you. It's literally a portrayal of the different stages of a relationship between two normal people. It's life. The characters make you frustrated, confused, and happy. Then the ending and post credit scenes make you cry an ocean of tears. Good stuff.

Weirdly enough... I kind of want to rewatch it…

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Sometimes one person can impact your life forever. You might not end up together but they will be a part of life forever.

I loved how the movie storyline didn't intend to get our hopes up. The overall tone of the movie is obvious based on the editing, I loved the colored sequences and the black and white parts and how a change of perspective changes everything in the end. I loved how the story feels so authentic and without extravagance. It made me feel that I was watching/reading the story of people I can relate to. You can get easily attached to the characters because you will see their character growth. Here they used the going back and in forth of the different timelines in a good way.

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Depicts Reality at Its Best

Just discover this movie last two weeks. Since then, I had watched it for two times already (the second one is just to thoroughly gain insight and conforming of what I’ve truly understand about this movie). Honestly speaking, this is one of the best movies I ever watched as far as I could remember. Everything in this movie are perfectly written and portrayed. I love how realistic this movie was all about. The fact that we all know ‘not all love lasts’ and not everything are ‘meant to be’. This movie really hits home though and make me cry bucket of tears. It portrayed the reality of life, the struggle in relationship, the struggle in daily basis in order to survive the life, and love that we expect to be happily ever after and dream that we wishes will come true. Also, at certain point, we know love alone is not enough to bring a relationship to a stable point. This movie shows that not all love story end in happy ending like fairy tales. Plus, it gives us (audiences) the sense of a proper closure. Just how the couple end their relationship at the end.

I love everything about this movie. Zhou Dongyu as a female lead is a perfect choice for this role. She nailed the character of Xiao Xiao. The male lead (Jing Boran) is equally good in delivering his character. I love them both and hopefully they can reunite in another movie or drama. I love their chemistry. I felt all the emotions they delivered. Amazing job for both of them. And the role of ML’s father had me bawled my eyes at the end. “He become matured now, and I know it’s because of you.” He’s a father everyone would want to have.
Sobs ;(

Oh, don’t even start about the OSTs of this movie (I only know two of them and I’m hooked over the songs). The first one is the soundtrack sung by Eason Chen titled Us (women). Oh, please listen and understand the lyrics behind it. Heartbreaking and painful to describe. One of the lyrics written “my greatest regret is that your regret involved me..” if this not painful, I don’t know what else to say. The second song from Hebe Tien (title roughly translated as Friend who’ve love for a long time), if you recalled this song was played during their making love scene. I love this song too as the lyrics really kills me inside. For that, I gave 10/10 for the OST.

Anyway, a big applause to the production especially Rene Liu for creating this masterpiece. I would rate this movie 10/10 and definitely will come back again to rewatch this movie. This movie will stay in my mind forever, for how great and realistic it was. Highly recommended movie to watch!

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Heartwarming and nostalgic

This movie was SO GOOD. Just the analysis of a couple of why they have broken up, how you don't have to stop at what you see on the surface. I normally enjoy watching this type of stories maybe feeling a little bit sad or nostalgic BUT THIS ONE made me cry like I was the heartbroken one. The continous shift from present to past show how the two leads have grown and moved on, still keeping their affection towards eachother.
I can say that this last part is so difficult, I would not have the strenght to still keep close to my heart someone who broke it before.
All I can say is that it's definitely worth it, the scenery is amazing, the music is amazing and the actors did such a good job. It is heartwarming and nostalgic at the same time, I recommend eating lots of ice cream while watching it ;)
Definitely a 10/10 for me!

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Compelling Heartwarming Romance

It's the movies you never expect, they're the ones that get you.

The movie pulls you in from the opening. As the movie opens, you feel there's going to be a wonderful love story between these two characters... and you're right. The chemistry between them is unmistakably palpable from the moment the leads meet on the train.

It's not all roses but it's not bleak either... and the challenges they face are not superficial. This movie tells the true story of love with its twists and turns, pain and confusion and the freeing euphoria that comes with loving and being loved.

The characters are compelling and well-rounded, like old friends you are happy *finally* got together. (And can I just say ZHOU DONGYUUUUUUU!)

And it's not just romance. So many familiar aspects of the lives of the 20-something are touched on. Confusion and seeming lack of success after graduating with a degree that was supposed to be the key to your future, starting out on your own, the morphing sense of "home" and identity, career envy, uncertainty about the future, and the shift in how you relate with your parents as you become a more independent adult.

No wonder the Chinese title of this movie translates to "The Future Us" or "The Later Us". Because they are going through this period of tremendous uncertainty and change together and we (the audience) and they (the characters) are both curious to see how they will come out on the other side.

Beautiful beautiful cinematography, a fitting soundtrack that never overpowers or feels emotionally manipulative, amazing acting and a beautiful love story.

This movie is complete gem.

P.S. Make sure you stay till the end of the credits. This movie is special to the very last second of run time.

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Ian always love Kelly

Xiao Xiao is not the same person anymore when Jian Qing wanted her to be with him. Sad that they couldn't be together - what she wanted he couldn't give to her. Not destined to be. Their hopes were not the same anymore. He wanted to provide for her, and she won't let him when he had the money and home. She wanted a different kind of love I guess, or I am speculating she wanted him to be happy and successful not as a husband and wife, but just being friends at the end. He has his own family now as a father and a husband to his new wife. His regret is that he doesn't have that right to be friends with her anymore. I cried for them when they were in the rental car. That scene was so sad, my heart was heavy. So real.... regrets in life and separation were too much.

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Feels Like Watching My Own Love Story

This movie is for those of us who have unrequited love. For regrets that always haunt and for him we can no longer get back. Not to make us regret even more, but to remember why the relationship didn't work out in the first place. And hopefully we (and Xiao-Xiao) can move forward soon and achieve our dreams.

Watching this movie is like seeing my youth. I was once in Xiao Xiao's shoes and understand why he finally gave up on their relationship. In the end, their relationship turned into a toxic one that only hurt each other. Jiang Qin was too focused on pursuing Xiao Xiao's dream, that he forgot to be present for Xiao Xiao who was beside him. And when he finally realized, it was too late. Their relationship was too damaged to be repaired. The thing that hurt me was when Jiang Qin wanted Xiao Xiao back after he was finally able to buy a house. This further confirms my opinion that Jiang Qin never understood the real reason Xiao Xiao left him. Xiao Xiao (and his father) never asked for money or house. They wanted Jiang Qin to be there for them, completely.

I like the ending of this story, although for some people it doesn't have a happy ending. Seeing Jiang Qin and Xiao Xiao finally get to properly say goodbye, was enough for me. Because I never have opportunity to say goodbye to my Jiang Qin.

Dear Z, I know you won't read this. But I hope, someday if we ever have a chance to meet again you won't hate me too much.

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A beautiful, heartbreaking story

The extended scenes during the credits really made me break down. I'm so glad I watched this. I've watched movies where they cut from the past to the present before, but I really liked this one because the past and present were so clear due to the black and white vs color. I loved how the past and present flipped their colors at the end of the movie. It was filmed so beautifully, the acting was magnificent, their chemistry was amazing and their feelings were so believable, and I am blown away. This is definitely a must-watch for people who have never seen it before, and though I don't usually watch movies over again, I'll likely re-watch this one.

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ian will always love kelly

Out of curiosity i had watch this movie due to Netflix’s suggestion - without knowing that this film will be my fave sad romantic movie ever..Jing Boran and Zhou Douyou amazingly portrayed their characters Jian Qing and Xiao Xiao perfectly..even the soundtrack was also amazing and adds up to the buckets of teard i’ve cried especially when Xiao Xiao read the letter made by Jian Qing for her before he passed away. Im
lost for words on how good this movie is…Will watch this some time again and would definitely recommend this to everyone who wants to know the real meaning of LOVE.

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Of What Could Have Been

Jing Boran is hot on my list now due to his on-going release drama Road Home with Tan Song Yun. Whilst awaiting each episodes release, I decided to look at some of Jing Boran past work and chose a 2018 movie title "Us and Them" and I was not disappointed.

Us and Them tells a poignant love story between Jianqing (Jing Boran) and Xiao Xiao (Zhou Dongyu) who met on a train on the way to Beijing. Two young individuals facing challenges living in the big city. Jianqing eager to make it in the game-maker industry and Xiao Xiao just broke off with her ex-boyfriend. When two vibrant souls meet, all sorts of energy ignite. Of kindred spirit, happiness, company, joy and love. I liked the chemistry of the two main leads, the mood of their love was felt when it was at it's peak and I also felt their pain when their relationship was struggling. This couple happens to be one of those who carried different perspectives when it comes to love in their early 20's. Jianqing equates love to money and success. He thirsts to leave his village and take his father away from the poverty spectrum. He dreams to make it big and shower Xiao Xiao with all the material things like car, houses and comfort of life. At her age, at that time, Xiao Xiao equates love to him being 'present and available' when it comes to giving attention to their relationship. She did not care if he had money or not. She cared more for his sanity, his well being. Eventually, everything implodes. They break up, and neither having understood nor make it clear, the reason to the other party.

In my deepest hope, as I watched, I wanted them to reconcile when they met each other again years later. But, it appeared he has moved on. Married and with a son. The timing of it all. He has made it in life, but at the cost of losing his deepest love. She yearned to have been properly loved and in the end found out that he had always loved her (even when at times, he does not seem to show it) .... seen in the ending of his game.

This is truly a story of, "fated to meet but not destined to be together". The story and the acting was very good and I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. But, will not be re-watching it again.

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