Light (2021)

Had the potential

As it is, the short movie is can be rather touching in how it portrays the plight of Light, the main character, who has been through a lot in life, including being abused by his stepfather and having to prostitute himself for money (which the same stepfather demands for). He longs for love, but will he get it from the person who shows him concern, and will it last?

Light is a character who is easy to sympathize with. There are some moments of overacting, but Jed Chung manages to convey the character's vulnerability and yearning. Unfortunately, while there are commendable attempts to be economical in fleshing out his back story, sometimes the character ends up incoherent. The way he taunts a customer and the fragility he displays as he gets beaten up, for instance, don't cohere very well without more shown about how he has changed over time as he has to deal with a life in the streets.

The gaps in the portrayal of the other main character, Shuo, are even more obvious. I could only make sense of what is going on because I had read the synopsis of the film, and a lot more needs to be shown about his struggles and his feelings towards Light. The film appears conspicuously incomplete when we see how there is obviously supposed to be a lot more about the Shuo that is somehow not filmed or not included in the 44-minute cut (more likely the former).

I was very much prepared for a tragic ending in this film, perhaps ending with Light's death under yet another person who is violent to him or Shuo's death as his job as a policeman puts him in danger (something which is hinted at). It was a pleasant surprise for me to see the film having a happy ending though the ending appears a little too hurried, like so many aspects of the film. This is a shame for we clearly have a team that is capable of doing more and exploring the nuances of emotions. For instance, when Light first initiates sex with Shuo, why did Shuo refuse to do it even though he was clearly aroused? Was he in denial or his own feelings or did he not want to treat Light as a prostitute by letting Light "repay" his kindness with his body?

This is a film one would love to be able to love more, but it feels incomplete, leaving one dissatisfied while craving for more.

Lire davantage

Very underrated but there are some flaws

Story :
I like the overall concept of the story but it could have better execution.. I felt like there were alot of plot holes and the story didn't really feel complete☹️ I also felt the romance was a little rushed and it didn't really make sense but oh well
Acting/cast :
All of the actors were SO good and the main couple had amazing chemistry🤭
Music :
There isn't a particular song that stood out but I do find that they did a good job in putting the music at the right time. Like the times where there wasn't any music you could really feel the tension between the actors, but when there was, I found the music fit the atmosphere well.
Rewatch value :
I put low because I don't usually rewatch shows let alone movies so I couldn't really see myself rewatching this but maybe since it's so short I might forget abt it and rewatch it..
Bonus : cinematography
I just wanted to point out how good the cinematography was!! The coloring is amazing and I also love the camera work.
Overall:
I think it's worth the watch If you don't mind sensitive topics like rape, prostitution,SA, etc.. so yh watch out for that if ur not comfortable but it's not bad and you should give it a watch!!

Lire davantage

I seriously love, love, loooovvvveee ADiamondLee even before this shortfilm. I've been a fan on their YT channel for the longest time and their vids were a bit comical mixed with handsome boys and more boys plus the BL/Bromance genre.
Sometimes it's sexual, sometimes just plain silly but it always ends with some kind of a comical relief sort of ending.

I never really got to see the acting potential of their actors until this shortfilm and I must say I didn't habe high expectations but I was overwhelmed by how good their acting was and how their eyes portrayed emotions

I fell in love all over again. ADiamondLee needs to do more projects like this. The acting was on par with highgpaid actors and I loved it shamelessly

Although I'm not much of a fan of stories that show alot of reality's niche topics(personally)... But I definitely appreciated this in all hoesty. Artistically, of course.
This reminded me of Night Flight, but with a very satisfactory ending.

I didn't really mind that it was short. It wouldn't have had that much impact if it was dragged on... And besides, even thpugh it was short it didn't feel rushed at all the necessary elements were there

It was beautiful. Dark... But also LIGHT-heartedly beautiful [pun intended (@_<) ]

Lire davantage

Worth Every Minute

I have finally decided to write a review on this. I've lost track now if how many times I've watched this. If they take it off of Gagaoolala I'll be lost.

If you are on the fence about watching this just do it. It is only 45 min so not a huge time investment. I think you will be glad you did.

This is definately my go to when I'm feeling lost or let down by other "BL's". I just keep coming back to this one.

I am not the best with putting my thoughts into actual words so please go read reviews from others who gave this a 10. They say what I want say so much better!

It is only 45 min long so not a big time investment but there is so much to it. Others have noted it was too short and was a good start for something longer. I disagree. I think making this longer would just be filler. There is exactly enough information. I have not once watched this and thought there needs to be more information or it felt rushed.

TRIGGER WARNING: There is abuse, rape and incest in this so please be aware of this when watching. These incidents are handled well and not overly used or detailed but are necessary to fully understand Light's issues with how he views love and himself.

I can't rave about this one enough. Of course this is all just my opinion as I most definately am not a true reviewer. I listen more to my heart than my head! This show makes my heart full!

It also looks like an 8 episode series is coming out. Don't know if it is a continuation or if it will fullfill the wishes of those wanting the movie to be longer. I'm torn at this time whether or nit to watch it. I will have to wait and see which direction they are taking it.

Lire davantage

Contrary to popular opinion, I thought this was actually a great length for this story. A lot of people have said they wish it was longer but let's keep in mind that when BLs are longer, it's not because of the content we like to see but the more frustrating stuff that I personally can't stand. I wouldn't want to drag out the misunderstandings or the horrible treatment of Light. This movie gave enough to show that it happened, why it happened and a swift and reasonable resolution.

The actors were good in their roles though nothing really stood out to me as far as outstanding or overly bad. They were pretty average though that's not meant as a negative thing.

I liked the change of pace from the lighter, fluffy BLs and was glad to still receive a happy ending after such a dark, more mature plot. To me, it makes the happy ending more worthwhile and meaningful.

I would definitely rewatch this and look forward to doing so again and again.

Lire davantage

Cahaya yang menerangi kegelapan.

Movie bL yang satu ini akan digarap menjadi sebuah series, tapi aku bingung bagaimana series ini punya cerita yang kompleks. Menceritakan seorang pria yang "seperti" mengalami gangguan psikologi berupa depresi, dia bahkan menjual tubuhnya kepada banyak pria - hingga akhirnya datanglah seorang polisi yang "peduli" kepadanya, menolongnya pergi meninggalkan dunianya yang gelap itu. Dari segi detail, sudah cukup mudah difahami. Scene-nya menurutku agak mengganggu karena menampilkan beberapa bentuk kekerasan seksual dan kekerasan fisik, Karakter yang memerankan film ini sangat cocok menurutku ya, mereka bisa memerankan perannya masing-masing. Dari segi Sinematography, menurutku ini seperti bentuk film lama (Vintage) yang dikemas modern, tidak monoton, punya alur cerita yang jelas dan mudah difahami. Dari segi dialog, mungkin tidak ada yang terlalu berkesan ya ; film ini menarik sih untuk di tonton menurutku.

Lire davantage

Short, but touching

This was great! The plot was very to-the-point but emotional and the acting was really good too! All I wished for was more communication between the leads.

I am just putting myself in Light's shoes here. If I was assaulted, abused, and treated like shit the way he was, not knowing what I was living for, and suddenly a stranger who I've never met before is being the gentlest human I know of, it'd kill me. The kindness would kill me because it's something I've never experienced before.
And the actors got that so right!

I'm sobbing as I write this because I pray for no one to be in Light's shoes. And for those who live like him, I hope they find a Shuo to help them out!

Lire davantage

Love

This short film is make me cry. I feel sorry for Light. 😭

This short film is one of the best for me. It tackles the reality 😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 Uwu!
About the cast? Jed Chung has a cute eye OMG! Haha 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Rewatch?
Yes of course! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🙏🙏♥️♥️🙏♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Lire davantage

Too short but it's a good story!

This movie has a high potential! I don't know but Taiwan's bl really taking over me or should I say they are really great making producing bl movie? Hahahahah I just love them when it comes to movie like this along with "your name engraved here in". The story is good, if they could just make a background story to the both of the them this will be a longer but I ain't complaining tho it just that I want more. That good storyline can do something to make this longer but maybe there's a reason why they make it short.

It's not that fresh but not cliche it's just so good to watch this. It's not disturbing to watched because some scene is not highlighted to the story so don't worry about the tags.

I don't want to spoil the story because it so short to do so hahaha XD I'm just here to give an informal review but trust me it's good (at least for me)

AND ALSO

The actors really executed well their role! (9/10)

Overall I'm recommending this to everyone to watch!

Lire davantage

I like the director Adiamond Lee, because she always manages to breathe something extra into her projects, sometimes even a bit of controversy (Obsessed or Dark Blue and Moonlight). This was also the case with this film, which is definitely not a short film in terms of story and could almost be used as a series. And here we see that no world server is perfect, only people write it, users add to it. According to MDL, it looks like the actor Max Liu is a newcomer, but I know him from the director's extensive project Jump Boy, as well as the second protagonist Jed Chung. Everything about this movie was above average, great music and I would love to go back to it sometime. I recommend.


Režisérku Adiamond Lee mám rád, protože do svých projektů vždy dokáže vdýchnout něco navíc, někdy i trošku kontroverze (Obsessed nebo Dark Blue and Moonlight). Tak tomu bylo i u tohoto filmu, který příběhem rozhodně není filmem krátkým a vydal by téměř na seriál. A tady vidíme, že žádný světový server není dokonalý, vždy jej píší jen lidé, doplňují uživatelé. Dle MDL to vypadá, jakoby herec Max Liu byl nováček, ale já jej znám z režisérčina rozsáhlého projektu Jump Boy, rovněž tak druhého protagonistu Jed Chung-a. Vše na tomto filmu bylo nadprůměrné, výborná hudba a rád se k němu někdy vrátím. Doporučuji.

Lire davantage