I first watch this movie two years ago or so. I absolutely love it. I cannot put it into words. It’s a movie that made me laugh, cry, and realize some hidden truths that perhaps I was overlooking. So, I hope this movie can be healing for you as it is for me. This movie is about self-love and rediscovering who you are when you’ve lost yourself over the years. Here’s to us!
Why I love this movie:
I was in a very emotionally confusing state of not knowing what I wanted. It was in my early 20’s. I was just trying to drown my emotions and forget everything by binge-watching movies. Nothing really hit the spot until I came across this gem. I hold this movie dearly to my heart as I love the message it sends. This movie truly healed my heart and made me happy even if it was for a moment. To this day, I still think about this movie especially the ending which I adore.
Liang Xia(Ni Ni) has been living with her long-time boyfriend Mao Liang(Wallace Huo) of 10 years. On the day she believes he will propose to her, she is suddenly taken aback when she realizes he didn’t buy the diamond ring for her. He purchased it on behalf of his boss. Liang Xia begins to feel insecure, and Mao breaks up with Liang Xia. On that same day, she receives special chocolate that allows her to travel back to her 17-years old mindset again. When 17-year old Xiao Liang first emerges into 28-year old Liang Xia’s body, she is baffled how different her life turned out. She is especially upset she is not a painter and wasted her talent on a man who made her into the current Liang Xia. Xiao Liang and Liang Xia embark on a journey of learning to love, let go, and begin again with the help of Yan Yan (Darren Wang) and Ma Su(Bai Xiao Ning).
Relationship between Mao and Liang Xia:
The relationship between the two seems to be a routine. That prompts Mao to feel tired and bored. It appears he dreads having to live the rest of his life with Liang Xia. Liang Xia, on the other hand, has entirely devoted herself to Mao. She has almost become the perfect girlfriend. She’s beautiful but very timid of losing Mao, and so she desperately tries to cling onto him. Which, in return, only makes the situation worse. It’s just unfortunate to see Liang Xia give up her career and dream of becoming a painter in exchange for being with Mao. In one scene, he asks, Liang Xia to paint for him, although he states she doesn’t want to work. She quickly corrects him and says, “Who said I didn’t want to work?” and that she indeed can paint. In a previous scene, Mao is also shutting down the idea that Liang Xia can draw for his company. Mao gives off the idea that he does not wish for Liang Xia to pursue painting in any shape or form until his boss expresses he needs Liang Xia. So, one can conclude, Mao is not very supportive of Liang Xia in terms of her desire to paint, whether it be now or in the past.
The importance of Xiao Liang:
I love her character because she always sticks up for the very timid Liang Xia when she is in front of Mao. She fights for her and Liang Xia’s will to be happy. Xiao Liang emerges when Liang Xia is at the lowest point in her life. She encourages Liang Xia to paint again. She has no career; she has no passion and has given up everything to be with Mao. Whether or not Mao made her give up her dreams voluntarily or not is still not clear. It could have been Liang Xia for all we know. But the arrival of Xiao Liang begins to stir up old feelings, dreams, and desires for Liang Xia that she had long forgotten. Xiao Liang is able to do what Liang Xia is most afraid of, letting go of Mao. Once he is gone, Xiao Liang reminds Liang Xia that she can move forward and will be okay without Mao.
Side note: Yan (Darren Wang) is a piece of work in this movie. I cannot help but like and dislike him. I also love to believe Liang Xia did not get back together with Mao.
Liang Xia’s Character:
I felt so sorry for her. I just love an imperfect character. Not everyone is strong, and we do stray along the way. Liang Xia is the first character that I found to display my emotions. She just wanted to be loved. She couldn’t find it because she had long forgotten her true self. She gave up so much when she didn’t need too. She found her happiness and love when she learned to love herself and face her reality. She needed to remember who she is to live a happy, fulfilled life. She is the beloved strong character that makes me love this movie so much.
If it’s one movie, I can recommend to anyone it’s Suddenly Seventeen (2016). Have you watched this movie yet? Can I get recommendations on a movie similar to this?
CinemaDeJoei 