Love is More Than a Word (2016)

For the casual western viewer, this period Chinese melodrama poses some real challenges. However with patience, an earnest desire to comprehend the production, and a good rewind button, the rewards are worth the effort. Ancient China, court intrigue and courtly etiquette, an evil plot, assassins, beautifully handsome young actors and actresses, and a bit of comedy for the groundlings, Love is More than a Word is a tale unfolding upon the screen as if in stunning calligraphy upon an unrolled parchment. The sets and staging are amazingly brilliant and lush in color, the costuming and makeup likewise breathtaking, the huge cast and extras all very convincing in their various rolls. Few stories of this homoerotic genre are told with such obvious material investment; one can easily believe the budget for this production was immense. Director Chen Peng has previously had a success with another similar production in this genre, Like Love, an unpretentious, lively and light-hearted tale of a college romance between a brooding, menacing undergrad, An Ziyan, and his endearingly ditzy but earnest classmate Maiding. But despite its enjoyable playfulness, where Like Love lacked for budget and production quality, this much more impressive effort shines brightly.
Not for the culturally feint hearted, the complex plot and obscure cultural touchstones make this wonderful little film a genuine effort as I have previously stated, but if you have the time and a willing heart, you won't be disappointed.

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STORY: An illiterate and uneducated young man becomes mayor of a province because the position was bought for him. Now he must overcome his humble background and learn to navigate court life. Also his position requires him to act as a judge. The setting is in China's past. This show has a lot of things you would see a drama about court life: intrigue, gossip, backstabbing, evil plots, etc. This also showcases many conversations of people speaking politely with each other but their words are a double-edged sword. There is a bromance between TaoMo and GuShe that lasts the entire series.

SIDE NOTE: Been watching the English Sub, YouTube, 1080p, approx 30 minutes per episode, translated by Yzd_International_Fanclub, thanks guys!

ACTING/CAST: This is quite an attractive cast, and they play their parts very well.

MUSIC: Very good throughout the series.

REWATCH VALUE: Yup.

OVERALL: I'm am AMAZED at the production value of this! The set design and costume design are A+. It's a gorgeous production. I can't wait to watch more!

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