Crystal Boys (2003)

One of a kind masterpiece!!!

I never thought I would write a review but this drama left me no other choice.

Everything, from cinematography to the haunting soundtrack is pure heart wrenching perfection.

However, I do have to give you a fair warning before you start this journey: This is NOT a BL drama. So if you are looking for a gay romance this might not be the one for you. Crystal Boys is a look at the gay community in the 70s Taiwan. It's dark, gritty, passionate, sad, poetic... it shows you all the different shades of life that luckily most of us don't have to bear anymore.

Watching this feels like reading a deeply sad poem at night while a faint light of the moon is shining in through the window and the world quiets down, letting you completely lose yourself in the endless emotions of your heart...

Now let's dive in a bit deeper - MILD SPOILDERS AHEAD -

The story? 10/10

As I said, this is not just a love story. You will see what it was like to live at that time in Taiwan from perspective of the poor, the rich, the middle class. The plot follows several characters and tells many different stories of the 'crystal boys' trying to find their way despite their varied circumstances. Sometimes it feels almost episodic in nature. It's rich, it will make you feel all the emotions imaginable and most of all, it will stay in your memory long after you finish the last episode.

The cinematography? 10/10

Unlike modern dramas, you can see a lot unique thought that went into each shot. Most of the story takes place at night and the way the drama uses light and shadow is remarkable. Of course, it's an older drama so the quality is very different from what is common today, however in my opinion it only enhances the gritty story it tries to convey.

The acting? 10/10

Perfect cast. Again, this is not a BL. So don't expect every single character to be straight out of Vogue and GQ. The casting is very true to life - you actually get actors who are older than 20 (pure myth in today's day and age). And it all just adds to the realistic feeling of the drama.

Music? 10/10

If I could I would give this category 100/10. This might be one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard. Period. Not just dramas. In general. I was amazed to find a gem like this and had it on repeat for weeks. Each tone will tear your heart to pieces...

Rewatch value? 10/10

This is a subjective rating and also comes from the fact that I wasn't able to find many other Chinese/Taiwanese dramas that would be this serious. These days almost everything is happy and bubbly - which is not a bad thing. However sometimes I crave something serious, dark, poetic... and this ticks all the marks.

Final thoughts:

Do yourself a favor - just watch it. There is nothing even remotely similar among other dramas - so at least for the unique experience of seeing something completely different, give it a shot. You might just find your new heartbreaking obsession.

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