- Actors: Jia Ying Lei, Li Ya Tong
- Directors: Lun Xu
- Format: Subtitled, Widescreen
- Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Rated: Not RatedNR
- Studio: Well Go Usa
- DVD Release Date: August 6, 2019
- Run Time: 101 minutes
Following a
tradition of blending the romantic genre narrative with icons and story devices
from the science-fiction and fantasy genres (a trend that seems particularly
prominent within Asian cinema in recent years), How Long Will I Love U is a refreshingly original idea, even if
there remains a great deal of predictability/familiarity in its execution. In
many ways, this has been the complaint about Danny Boyle’s Yesterday by critics, but the audience for romantic comedies is
rarely one clamoring for creativity over the base enjoyments of the genre, and How Long Will I Love U makes certain not
to sacrifice these expected elements, even if they counter the unpredictability
of the science-fiction elements in the narrative.
The basic
premise of the film feels like a more lighthearted take on The Lake House, in some ways, with our romantic pairing existing in
different time period. The difference is their ways of interacting, as Lu Ming
(Jiayin Lei) and Gu Xiaojiao (Liya Tong) awake to find themselves sharing an
apartment, despite the fact that he lives in 1999 while she is existing in the
modern world of 2018. It seems that their apartment is a portal between the two
time periods, allowing this couple to interact with each other and even enter
the world of the other. While in some regards this brings to mind classic time
travel narratives, the emphasis in this particular film always remains on
romance and a unique pair of ‘star-crossed lovers.’
Even with the
focus remaining on the relationship between our protagonists, there are still
rules established in terms of the science-fiction elements. We are informed
that these portals are occurrences that are fleeting, which is primarily of
concern because it will eventually end and cut ties between the two lovers.
Each time they attempt to alter history or interact with their future or past
selves, the window for this portal begins to close (shown in the form of their
apartment being squashed to a smaller size).
How Long Will I Love U has some very
base messages about success and what we are willing to sacrifice in order to
achieve it. These are extremely familiar themes in this genre, which has often
had the romantic lead choosing true love over superficial beauty or wealth; How Long Will I Love U simply adopts
these themes to a science-fiction storyline (ironically in a way that is
contrary to the ending given for Back to
the Future, made during the height of American consumerist escapism. It is
a film that is more clever than smart, but has enough heart to make up for
lacking intellectual depth.
The Blu-ray
release comes with no special features or extras, aside from the optional
English and Chinese subtitles. If it is disappointing that the Blu-ray comes
with nothing more than the movie, it is at least a colorfully shot film which
is enhanced by a high definition presentation. With that being said, a little
more attention could have been given to the release, which has the potential to
be a crowd pleaser for any audience open to the experience.
Entertainment Value:
8/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical
Significance: 6.5/10
Special Features: 0/10
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