Life for many can appear simple. But, in reality, it is full of complications. Cinema is a great outlet for exploring said details of people's lives. There is quite a lot of human exploration within indie filmmaking. Sometimes, mellow storytelling can make for a marvelously engaging viewing experience. Lower budgets can be an opportunity to explore drama more personally. Look no further than the endearing set of films known as “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy.”
The trilogy, while small in scale, brings together many creative minds. Directing “Surrogate Valentine” and “Daylight Savings” is filmmaker Dave Boyle, who notably began his directorial career with quirky comedies such as “Big Dreams Little Tokyo” and “White on Rice.” However, many viewers probably know him best for his thriller “Man from Reno,” a gripping feature about a Japanese crime novelist who becomes entangled in a real murder mystery. Boyle would return to produce the finale feature, “I Will Make You Mine,” while taking the director's chair is renowned actress Lynn Chen, in her directorial debut. Other talents to notably produce the trilogy include Mye Hoang, Emily Ting, Cathy Shim, and Joel Clark.
The first entry, “Surrogate Valentine,” introduces the audience to the trilogy's lead, Goh Nakamura, a musician who makes a living performing on the road. He ends up with a job teaching an actor named Danny Turner how to play the guitar for an acting role. While this continues, he reconnects with old friends, including his high school crush Rachel, who reminisces about their past while also wondering what lies in store for the future. Time passes, and in the follow-up titled “Daylight Savings,” Goh Nakamura ends up with a girlfriend named Erika. Things seem good and hopeful for the happy couple. Unfortunately, this relationship ends when the long distance becomes an issue for the two, which leaves them both in deep sadness. While attempting to move on, Goh continues to work hard as an indie musician and grow from his past. Eventually, he meets another fellow music artist, an upbeat woman named Yea-Ming. The two hit it off, and a friendship begins that escalates to a romance. Yet, the past still clings on to the male lead.
For the trilogy's finale, “I Will Make You Mine,” the focus is cleverly shifted. Quite a lot has occurred offscreen since viewers were left off with the indie musician. This time, the women in his life take center stage. Rachel is married and financially well-off, but her husband is cheating on her. Erika and Goh attempted to reconnect and ended up having a daughter, but more complications arose. Adding to that, she is struggling with not only being a mother but also trying to balance work while mourning her father's passing. Finally, Yea-Ming is shown to be doing very well with her music career but still has feelings for the male lead since their brief fling in “Daylight Savings.” All three women wrestle with life challenges while confronting their past relations with Goh Nakamura.
Familiar storytelling tropes are visited in “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy,” yet the creative team behind it gives this story many clever elements. All three films are funny, create a downright relaxing atmosphere, and have compelling characters to follow, from the leads to supporting players. Balanced with witty humor is a very emotional examination of human emotions. The narrative explores people living their lives while balancing out the pursuit of ambitions and overcoming life struggles. No one is villainized, nor is anyone treated like an antagonist. What the individuals in all the movies go through is completely understandable and makes sense. It is merely people being human beings. Relationships can be simplified on paper, yet viewers are reminded here that there is quite a lot to examine and appreciate with the connections made within our lives. This is greatly displayed in what Goh and the women in his life experience through this three-part journey on the west coast. Music lovers are also sure to get a kick out of the impressive music showcased and the relatable struggles of pursuing artistic passion as an independent artist.
Everyone from the leads to the supporting players put in good performances, making their characters feel all the more authentic. Goh Nakamura excels in playing a fictional version of himself. He is charming and likable in his role, and the musician's talents outside of film are on display here. The trilogy never forgets to show the layers of his personality, such as his sensitive side and struggles as an independent artist. Versatile talent Lynn Chen nails it as Rachel, Goh's high school crush. Yet, there is more to her than just that as she has her own story playing out as well, with “Surrogate Valentine” and “Daylight Savings” introducing her as witty and no-nonsense and “I Will Make You Mine” showing her more personal side come out. The same can also be said for Erika, played superbly by Ayako Fujitani. Her struggles and hardships understandably take a toll on her, yet she still pushes through to achieve goals while simultaneously overcoming heartache. Also notably exceptional here is Yea-Ming Chen in a fictional depiction of herself, who wonderfully plays off the male lead while also similarly displaying impressive musical talents. She balances out being funny while also having a level of sadness in her role that comes in droves in the trilogy's finale.
Wonderfully appealing with “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy” are the aesthetics, being shot in black-and-white. From San Francisco to the large city of Los Angeles, the west coast is beautifully showcased. A rich atmosphere is created with the lavish cinematography, which is further enhanced by the music throughout the trilogy. The songs by Goh Nakamura and Yea-Ming Chen are beautifully composed, and the same can be said for the original scores.
With strong writing, pleasing visuals, and memorable characters, “The Surrogate Valentine Trilogy” is an endearing set of entertaining films with its laid-back storytelling while also being emotional with the display of human vulnerability. The story is simple but remains engaging from start to finish. Each feature has a well-crafted storyline to appreciate, and watching all three movies together is all the more rewarding. Each has something viewers can relate to, from the music elements to the emotional slice-of-life experience. There is something for anyone to connect to here.
