I loved every ill-fated step, every stumble at the gate, every door slammed in the face.
I'm always in a dilemma about how to start writing when everything I say may seem insufficient to express the greatness of a drama. A drama whose complexity and level involves an approach that is almost impossible to edit... there are so many nuances, so many facets, so many striking points that, sometimes, all I can think of are the countless moments in which I found myself moved by its beauty. Therefore, before focusing a little on the story, I must start by saying why I chose to watch it: I love mystery, I love romance, I love criminal investigation, I love daring and I love a good production. This drama has all of this and much more than my meager review property allows. Stunning photography and immersive cinematography in every detail: from the song of a bird, the nakedness of a fruit tree, the croak of a frog, even a drop of sweat. A color palette that deviates from the traditional, but warms you from within, whether in the vibrancy conveyed by the glow of fireworks, the bright gray of sidewalks wet from the rain, or the darkness of a bath in the lake under the moonlight. An alternation that goes from black and white to multifaceted and vibrant colors silences us, on the other hand, it makes our soul scream in scenes of pain, passion and despair. A drama whose metaphors go beyond the figurative sense, being able to use a song instead of a final scene, a look instead of words, a slap instead of a kiss. A “hurt me” instead of “love me” is indeed impressive. A drama that works extremes with mastery. From faithful and touching friendship to extreme humiliation, from gratuitous companionship to irrational public ridicule. From the calm and the ride on a rudimentary boat to the cold torture of an interrogation chair. Intense script, striking dialogues and unforgettable characters give a tender light to what we see here. Zhou Luo is a unique young man. Imperfect in several layers, but full in his convictions. Mature for the age counted in years, immature in the vicissitudes of unilateral love. But bold, persecutive and insistent on his personal desires. This generates disagreements among the public accustomed to admiring a traditional hero. The boldness is above the expected average, above what is permitted, above what is considered normal... I confess, I loved it! And yes, I was saddened by how many people took it so negatively. I guess bursts of youthful passion aren't for everyone. Few understand that this is how emotional maturity is achieved. How else do you achieve fulfillment or learn to live? I loved every ill-fated step, every stumble at the gate, every door slammed in the face. Each true lie and of course the cruel and painful love achieved. I think that the emotional charge of each viewer can make a difference in the evaluation of this masterpiece... what I see differs from what others see, what I feel is far from what others feel. But, on one point, I believe it's easier to agree: Tender Light goes beyond a drama, it's a work of art! I admired the result, but I would have liked more screen time. Even if loose ends are not part of this drama, I would exchange the beautiful music at the end for a long, beautiful tight hug. I recommend it wholeheartedly! Simply exceptional!
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