Eternal Summer

Eternal Summer

Director: Lester Chen.
Cast: Bryant Chang, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Kate Yeung.

Yes I know ~ I am quite late ~ but definitely not too late! It has been a couple of years since this movie got tremendous raves and I have no idea why it took me that long to finally get a copy.

I am not a fan of Chinese films (aside from the works of Wong Kar Wai) , maybe I just don’t like how Mandarin  sounds. But I tell you, this film was truly exceptional.

There is nothing new with the story , Juan loves Pedro, Pedro Loves Maria —-> Heath Loves Michelle , Heath Loves Jake (naalala ko naman tuloy si Heath whaaaaaaaaaaa…. buhuhuhuh) —> We’ve seen this triangle before in a number of  films, but what sets this film apart is the nuanced storytelling, the outstanding performances and the dramatically executed ending.

Cinematography was perfect to accomplish the needed mood for the movie. The camerawork was good, colors used were sad, gloomy and subdued.

Similar to Ang Lee’s films, the director also used nature as one major element. In contrast, this film’s director didnt use nature to spectacle the audience. Instead, he used it as an aide to express the delicate emotions that the characters cant even utter.

I was so consumed with the movie that I even used it as my avatar when I went back to work Monday.

stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:05:58 AM): ano yang avatar mo?
van aguas (1/28/2008 7:06:37 AM): taiwanese film
van aguas (1/28/2008 7:06:40 AM): eternal summer
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:06:44 AM): ah oki
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:06:51 AM): kamukha ng type cast
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:06:52 AM): hahaha
van aguas (1/28/2008 7:07:10 AM): nyahahahahah …. ako pa maglalagay ng typecast… wehehhe
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:07:23 AM): kaya nga eh, kakantiyawan sna kita

van aguas (1/28/2008 7:11:35 AM): anyway…. para akong gago kagabi… iyak ako ng iyak dahil sa avatar kong yan
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:11:40 AM): bkit?
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:11:42 AM): ganda?
van aguas (1/28/2008 7:11:45 AM): nakakaloka kasi
van aguas (1/28/2008 7:12:05 AM): sobrang subdued… nakakalunod ang mga emotions… sakal na sakal kasi yung mga characters
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:12:15 AM): haaaayyyy
stopburn fly (1/28/2008 7:12:19 AM): ano storya?
van aguas (1/28/2008 7:12:27 AM): teka

O.. eto ang kuwento ..  Jonathan and Shane are inseparable.  Their friendship that started as a simple agreement that Jonathan had with their teacher developed into a special feeling that they themselves are oblivious of. Then came Carrie, the new girl who had feelings for Jonathan. Their one day getaway in Taipei ended in a hotel, where Carrie’s sexual persuasion was heavily rejected. It wasn’t hard for her to realize that Jonathan is indeed in love with Shane and even confronted Jonathan about it.
Shane was at first jealous with Jonathan’s friendship to this new girl. His effort  to know Carrie,  brought about by his contentiousness,  ended in  a relationship with her. The couple tried to keep it from Jonathan, with different reasons for their concerns of course. Eventually, the affair was revealed to Jonathan leading them to a chaos of emotions.

 The soundtrack used throughout the film was classical music. I love the score that was used at the ending, it was perfect to accompany the tears till credits …hehehe. The choice of music was perfect for the first part and also for the cheesy part. It failed on some parts though, nevertheless, it was still a good move.

The movie had a very slow pacing on the second half. I guess that was intended to establish the director’s style and set-up the atmosphere for the gloomy ending. The slow paced part didnt ruin the movie at all. I completely understand that it is possible to wrap it all up in an hour or less, but the pacing for me is just perfect, it is a joy to experience minutes of their agony and pain.

The movie was simple, quiet and moody but you could get drowned with all the emotions and the untold feelings.

The actors were perfect for the roles. Bryan Chang, wore Jonathan’s shoes as if their feet are of same the size. The pain on his eyes is achingly perfect. He was almost transparent, where you can see the emotional torture brought by the all-consuming love that he has for his pal. Shane, on the other hand, was even portrayed better.  He was able to radiate a strong and masculine aura and was even better in exposing the character’s weakness, fear of loss etc. You would be contaminated by his confusion, with what he’s supposed to feel towards Jonathan.

 Katie Yeung’s character remains a mystery for us. I wont settle calling her a poor victim, or just a witness of this tragic love. She’s also not a Regina George at all trying to antagonize the relationship between those two. Her role might be subtle but was heavily substantial. She for me was the catalyst, the element needed to stimulus the change. I think she has better understanding on what the other two characters feel for each other and at the same time helpless, because she is also in dillemma with her own feelings and this is something that she wont be able to grapple.

Nyeta ang sakit! This is not just a gay film and I know that a lot of you guys could really relate to this. Jonathan loves Shane so much, but is afraid to tell him because he doesnt want to lose him as his friend. Shane, is very much aware of Jonathan’s feelings but can’t equate it since he is not sure of what he really feels and at the same time in love with Carrie. Jonathan wants to get out of Shane’s life so that he could eliminate himself as the only conflict and to fulfill an attempt to get rid of his compelling emotions towards his best friend. Shane doesnt want to lose Jonathan, because he is the only one who has been there all his life, he understands him and… nyeta naman tsong oh… alam ko… he wont survive without Jonathan’s love.  But if he choses Jonathan, he would lose Carrie, na mahal naman nya and like Jonathan also understands him. Syet ang hirap! Love talaga oh! Ang sakeeet!!!

Love is indeed the ultimate oxymoron. It could complete you and could also tear you apart. ugh!