In many Asian romances, we join budding couples as they struggle desperately just to be together. Conflict often looms beyond the pair itself, typically formed by unusual circumstance (think birth secrets, formidable in-laws, etc). After such hurdles are finally cleared, all that's left is a happy ending! But what happens once the battle is won and our heroes must face the travail of actually being in a relationship? Honestly, why all the focus on insurmountable odds at the beginning when merely staying together can be so hard? Love Will Tear Us Apart, as you may have garnered, takes a more realistic approach to romance. Shirking the wild pattern of outward conflict, it favors internal failings instead (such as insecurity and thoughtlessness). We see the start of the relationship only briefly, spending most of the film after Liang Liang and Miao Miao are established as a couple. For those that find worry in this, have no fear; we step into their lives as strangers, just as they do with one another, slowly becoming comfortable as they do. The story motion, though somewhat unconventional at times, eventually lends the impression of a real couple. Overall, most aspects felt natural and modern, so viewers may even see uncanny wisps of their own relationships (past and present). What I enjoyed most about this film was the evolution of its tone throughout. Despite bearing a dismal title, Love Will Tear Us Apart actually kicks off surprisingly cute and funny. Many scenes with the leads are especially so, having been built to make invest one in the love story. But things become heavier gradually as the plot rolls along, and the viewer (though still rooting for both parties) starts to see undeniable cracks in this relationship. Something about the atmosphere just works and (if empathetic like me) one may come away feeling as though one had lived through all the love and pain themselves. Both halves of the couple perform well, exhibiting vibrant chemistry. As the charming (if somewhat typical) Liang Liang, Feng Shao Feng retains every drop of his amazing screen presence. His expressive eyes lend much to his performance; every emotion is lent credence, and one can almost see what Liang Liang is thinking. Despite the fact this character can be somewhat careless, it's almost impossible not to like and understand him. Playing adorable yet insecure Miao Miao, we have Ni Ni as his lover. Her performance is strong in the same ways as her co-star, but I must applaud the natural and interesting motions she adopted. Caring about Miao Miao was a must, though her behavior cannot always be condoned. For cinematography lovers, shots are clean and clear. Many take on the feeling of an independent film, with occasionally artful choices. Some sequences even stand out, such as two parallels (you'll know when you see them); otherwise, though, nothing is terribly innovative. I did appreciate the color palettes though, especially in darker scenes. Music is similarly suitable, though without much in the way of tremendous memorability. Tracks for pivotal scenes were rather good, that said.