“How Long Will I Love U” is one of those movies that overflow with personality and joy just from the beginning. You may or may not like romantic comedies at all, but it is undeniable that “How Long Will I Love U” is a film made with much love, care and with a lot of attention to detail. If you really are a devotee to this kind of movies, you will definitely love this film and you will have a very pleasant time with it. “How Long Will I Love U” is the latest Chinese romcom by Lun Su, starring Liya Tong and Jiayin Lei.
The plot mixes fantasy with drama, romance and humor. Right from the start, we get to see the beginning credit titles, represented in funny and stylish drawings that will define the mood of the film. Afterwards, we meet one of our main protagonists: Xiaojiao, played by Liya Tong. She is a woman of the present, year 2018, an employee who works in a jewelry store, and is currently on a matchmaking webpage looking specifically for a rich man able to buy her a house. Later, we meet Lu Ming, a man of the year 1999, played by Jiayin Lei, who is a designer going through some hard moments in his life, and aspires to be a real estate developer, but lacks investors. One day, when they both return to their respective homes after a tiring day, their apartments begin to merge, until the next day they discover that they have both woken up in the same bed at the same space-time. It turns out that they were living in the same apartment at different time periods. And not only that, they also discover that depending on who opens the door, they will come out to a different time period. If Xiaojiao opens the door, they live in the present; and if Lu Ming is the one who grabs the knob and opens the door, they go out into the past.
“How Long Will I Love U” sure has more to its story, but I'll leave it there, simply because the movie has some hidden surprises to be discovered. Better to simply go watch it and enjoy the ride.
One of the film's strengths is, without a doubt, the actors. If you don't have a good pair of actors that are not up to a movie of these characteristics, it falls apart completely. Liya Tong and Jiayin Lei do an excellent job. Separately they both do great, but it is when they come together that we see their true charisma. The chemistry they have together is truly commendable. It is a real pleasure to see such a good couple of actors work so well, one can appreciate the comfort in their respective roles, since they both know how to defend themselves perfectly in both drama and comedy.
On the other hand, the film is also well directed, with very well shot cinematography. All the framing and composition is very well crafted, and props to the director, but mainly to the cinematographer. Ron Chan's editing in the film is also a strength, since it maintains the pacing effectively, but also makes the film enjoyable, playing with your emotions in a good way, making the film even more striking.
To sum up, “How Long Will I Love U” is a well-crafted film with an adorable heartwarming feeling to it that will keep you smiling along the entire film. All the contrasts inside our society are well reflected in a funny and gladsome way for all the spectators to enjoy, even children. For all those difficult decisions that one has to take on his life and the consequences that will occur throughout your life due to them. Because there is one thing very certain: there are decisions in this life that change us completely, decisions that transform us, and “How Long Will I Love U” deals very well with this topic. Get ready to smile, cry, and laugh on this beautiful ride.
