A rarely seen period of Chinese history, right after the Cultural Revolution throughout the next few decades is shown to us through the ups and downs of the main character, Xiao Chunsheng, and the people whose lives intersect with his. Written and produced by people who have lived it all in Beijing, it has a very authentic feel that will give us a glimpse of China of that time and the huge expansion that ultimately followed.
The characters are individual and distinct, with their own histories, joys and hurts. There is no exaggeration in emotion or situation. It is a realistic portrait of humans who are struggling to make the best possible decisions in trying times. The director and scriptwriter have a delicate, subtle touch as they weave this story of showing us who these characters are and what place shaped them so.
Led by a great performance of the Chinese star Xiao Zhan, who masterfully depicts the maturation and development of Chunsheng, the whole cast gives an excellent performance while bringing this era to life before our eyes. They wander the streets of Beijing, fall in love, struggle, fall and get up after life inevitably strikes them down, all accompanied by a magnificent instrumental BGM that provides an appropriate sense of nostalgia. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
