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This review may contain spoilers
If Only My High School Love Story Ended Like This Too
- Movie contains slight explicit scene, but no nudity.
STORY: Personally, I loved the story. I loved how it ended too. Maybe because I experienced something similar when I was in school? Anyways, I really liked how heartwarming this movie was. I wouldn't say it was a rollercoaster of emotions, but rather a slow-burning car ride. I didn't know how it would end, but I was definitely rooting for them. Just like life, you know? You don't know how it ends but you hope for the best. And as you wait, it just reveals to an ending fitting for you. It's the same for this film. Li Ran and Jianxia's story would be something most of us would hope to happen to us. When we fall in love with someone, and a sudden event leads us to be separated from them, most of the time we'd hope to see them again. And some of us would also wish that whatever we had would be revived, no matter how many years have passed. This film perfectly captures that feeling, and it's reflected so clearly in Jianxia's character. Most of all, I love how both of them developed. Yes, Jianxia may be your typical female lead, and Li Ran is most definitely the ideal man out there -- someone that waits for you (over 12 years!) and would still love you no matter how much you try to push him away. Very dreamy, really. In my opinion, this film could be seen as an 'escape from reality', as it ended so beautifully (I was smiling, grinning even, from ear to ear when Li Ran said that Jianxia should pay for their honeymoon), and gives us space to reflect on our own love stories. In life, it can end one way or another. And this film somewhat created a feeling that encapsulated the concept of getting the best outcome, the one we all want.
Another thing I liked was that aside from it's ideal romance, it sheds light on problems that occur in real life too. Take Jianxia's relationship with her family. Being born as the eldest (and as a girl nonetheless) is a tough job. On top of that, she's constantly compared to her 'good-for-nothing' little brother, who is clearly adored more because he's... well, he's a boy. No matter how much she strives for excellence, her family, especially her mother, will always have something snarky to say. Even in the present day, when she comes back home due to her father's declining health, the home setting is structured to make her feel like a guest and not an actual family member. When Susu frames her and spreads a malicious rumor that she and Li Ran slept together in the hotel, her mother blames everything on her, and is not willing to trust her, let alone listen to her side of the story. Growing up with that kind of environment has been suffocating her, making her a bit more spiky on the outside.
On the other hand, Li Ran's family isn't doing too well either. He is constantly abused by his father, and when Jianxia's mother met up with Li Ran's stepmother at school because of the rumored incident, it is seen that his stepmother could care less for his own good. Despite being born into wealth, there's no particular safe place for Li Ran aside from his grandfather (who soon passes), and being beside Jianxia. And in the present day, Li Ran is now in debt. This part reminded me of the fact that we really do not have full control of what may happen in the future. Yes, you may be rich now, but you could lose all of that overnight. The scene where Li Ran reluctantly downed the glass of alcohol while Jianxia holds his hand was painful to watch. Nonetheless, I loved the fact that he never stopped loving her. His dialogues touched me deeply, and it made me wish that my own high school love story would have ended like it.
ACTING/CAST: Acting was superb. Appearance-wise, I liked the fact that both actors naturally embodied their parts. Their acting was beautiful too. I loved the selection of the cast too. Jianxia's family, especially her mother, also gave life to the truth girls face in families like hers. Every one in the cast served.
MUSIC: The music didn't really affect me, but the main theme was so fitting for the movie! It was like the cherry on top, and made the film even better. It just gave the exact feeling of seeing an old friend-turned-lover after so many years, or the same feeling of being with someone after a long time of ups-and-downs that just make up a really foggy future. I love it.
REWATCH VALUE: Personally, I do love a good story that stems from youth to adulthood (like the Reply Series). It's endearing, heartwarming, and comforting to see these dramas, since we all go through those stages. I like watching these and reflect on my own journey in life afterwards.
OVERALL: I highly recommend this film. I think it's become one of my comfort films now. I still can't get over the confession scene in the end.. God, when is it my turn? ??
STORY: Personally, I loved the story. I loved how it ended too. Maybe because I experienced something similar when I was in school? Anyways, I really liked how heartwarming this movie was. I wouldn't say it was a rollercoaster of emotions, but rather a slow-burning car ride. I didn't know how it would end, but I was definitely rooting for them. Just like life, you know? You don't know how it ends but you hope for the best. And as you wait, it just reveals to an ending fitting for you. It's the same for this film. Li Ran and Jianxia's story would be something most of us would hope to happen to us. When we fall in love with someone, and a sudden event leads us to be separated from them, most of the time we'd hope to see them again. And some of us would also wish that whatever we had would be revived, no matter how many years have passed. This film perfectly captures that feeling, and it's reflected so clearly in Jianxia's character. Most of all, I love how both of them developed. Yes, Jianxia may be your typical female lead, and Li Ran is most definitely the ideal man out there -- someone that waits for you (over 12 years!) and would still love you no matter how much you try to push him away. Very dreamy, really. In my opinion, this film could be seen as an 'escape from reality', as it ended so beautifully (I was smiling, grinning even, from ear to ear when Li Ran said that Jianxia should pay for their honeymoon), and gives us space to reflect on our own love stories. In life, it can end one way or another. And this film somewhat created a feeling that encapsulated the concept of getting the best outcome, the one we all want.
Another thing I liked was that aside from it's ideal romance, it sheds light on problems that occur in real life too. Take Jianxia's relationship with her family. Being born as the eldest (and as a girl nonetheless) is a tough job. On top of that, she's constantly compared to her 'good-for-nothing' little brother, who is clearly adored more because he's... well, he's a boy. No matter how much she strives for excellence, her family, especially her mother, will always have something snarky to say. Even in the present day, when she comes back home due to her father's declining health, the home setting is structured to make her feel like a guest and not an actual family member. When Susu frames her and spreads a malicious rumor that she and Li Ran slept together in the hotel, her mother blames everything on her, and is not willing to trust her, let alone listen to her side of the story. Growing up with that kind of environment has been suffocating her, making her a bit more spiky on the outside.
On the other hand, Li Ran's family isn't doing too well either. He is constantly abused by his father, and when Jianxia's mother met up with Li Ran's stepmother at school because of the rumored incident, it is seen that his stepmother could care less for his own good. Despite being born into wealth, there's no particular safe place for Li Ran aside from his grandfather (who soon passes), and being beside Jianxia. And in the present day, Li Ran is now in debt. This part reminded me of the fact that we really do not have full control of what may happen in the future. Yes, you may be rich now, but you could lose all of that overnight. The scene where Li Ran reluctantly downed the glass of alcohol while Jianxia holds his hand was painful to watch. Nonetheless, I loved the fact that he never stopped loving her. His dialogues touched me deeply, and it made me wish that my own high school love story would have ended like it.
ACTING/CAST: Acting was superb. Appearance-wise, I liked the fact that both actors naturally embodied their parts. Their acting was beautiful too. I loved the selection of the cast too. Jianxia's family, especially her mother, also gave life to the truth girls face in families like hers. Every one in the cast served.
MUSIC: The music didn't really affect me, but the main theme was so fitting for the movie! It was like the cherry on top, and made the film even better. It just gave the exact feeling of seeing an old friend-turned-lover after so many years, or the same feeling of being with someone after a long time of ups-and-downs that just make up a really foggy future. I love it.
REWATCH VALUE: Personally, I do love a good story that stems from youth to adulthood (like the Reply Series). It's endearing, heartwarming, and comforting to see these dramas, since we all go through those stages. I like watching these and reflect on my own journey in life afterwards.
OVERALL: I highly recommend this film. I think it's become one of my comfort films now. I still can't get over the confession scene in the end.. God, when is it my turn? ??
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