Our Golden Times (2024)

Short. Sweet. Effective for what it is.

Multi-episode series with a cumulative runtime shorter than a feature film are remarkably review proof. After all, the web-drama format signals "abbreviated story telling ahead." Does one fault the absence of effective character development or the short shift given to developing a fully fleshed out plot? That would be unfair, eh? The viewer should understand, prior to pushing play, that such finer details will be sacrificed on the altar of brevity. Perhaps three questions are relevant: does the premise capture interest? Are the characters compelling despite being underwritten? Does the series maximize the time it does have in a satisfying way? Since only one hour of your life is at stake, this reviewer is comfortable answering in the affirmative to all three questions. As the BL genre thrives on generating "feels," I can also report that the appropriately handsome actors do convey an appropriately warm and fuzzy bond between their characters. Perhaps they achieved this union a bit too easily in story context, but the pacing for a union given 60 minutes of narrative time felt just about right. I'd summarize the plot, but that process would take me longer to compose than for you to watch. Just forge ahead. It is all a bit quick and convenient, but then these mini-Bls are the convenience stores of the industry. Quick and convenient, able to supply you, the consumer, with your basic needs. Perhaps while you're on the go and have a spare hour to kill. Just don't expect full-service character arcs or a wide selection of subplots. At an hour of your life, Our Golden Times is worth that much trouble.

Could have been more? Yes. And maybe that is the hallmark of a successful mini-BL web drama. Leave 'em wanting more.

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a short series about two men who reconnect years after highschool

Overall: I gave this series an indie rating boost as I'm sure they had no or little budget. 6 episodes about 10 minutes each. Aired on Our Golden Times YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFufJwmJC3ikoLWALvn4UXSAlCbJ3H1cg&si=Nx_xG51lWFPakGgD

Content Warnings: manhandling, held against will, non con kiss

What I Liked
- sweet/caring moments
- the fiancee wasn't a completely cliched character

Room For Improvement
- not enough time spent with the main leads/their relationship development
- episode 6 drama with the brother felt tossed in/underdeveloped
- coworkers didn't feel realistic to me

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Surprisingly Effective

Honestly, I was not expecting this short web series to be so effective and poignant. But it truly is! And I was surprised by its effectiveness. Where it fell flat was its lack of fully committing itself to the romance. This is a decidedly short series, and a lot is crammed into this time. The whole drama is just about an hour or so. Yet, the production value of this series is surprisingly good. The screenplay is witty and sharp and at times rather poignant. I wish I could say that there is a strong screen chemistry between the two main leads, but I cannot. While they are stunningly handsome, both project a sense of uncomfortableness that becomes obvious with their closeness to each other, although they did try to hide that. There is little romance in this series. If you have a spare hour and want to be thoroughly engaged, this is a very good series to watch. It is entertaining and cute. Although the protagonists are attractive, they are not very enchanting as a couple. They just did not know how to be, or maybe did not want to be although they exude desire like crazy.

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Good Things Come In Small Packages

This is one of them. George and Mike. For approximately 10 minutes over a period of 6 episodes, you believed in their love. It's the usual story of underage boy forced to leave his boyfriend behind due to family pressure only to return years later to win him back. The thing though, George, the one left behind, is about to get married. She is smart, she is pretty and she loves George. Her only fault, she denies George his freedom to enjoy his passion for painting. George, happy enough with the structure of his life designed by her, concedes and focuses on her plan for their future. Until Mike reappears. He doesn't hide his feelings and let's George know, he's not giving up. He also creates a space for George to free the artist within. After a night of drinking and a strong cup of soul searching honesty, George is left in a quandry. What is he to do? Who is he supposed to choose? Is it too late to walk away? His fiance has been his support for a long time and their future is certain. Is this wrong? Why does Mike still feel like home?

For a very very small budget film, this delivers. It's not perfect but it was a nice Monday morning watch. The actors are competent, even those that give support. The story acceptable but the writing and production could greatly improve. One of my peeves with any show and not only bl is kissing. Either do it properly or don't do it at all. There are other ways to show how deep desire or love can be without a kiss. In this regard it suffers. Mike's voice with more training can be his biggest asset. George's facial reactions, his. The fiancé was portrayed as she should be without bringing anything new. Camera angles at times were a bit awkward. With all that could have been done better, it was still an okay watch. I would like to see them again as they fit well together. Don't take my word for it, go watch.

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