Wild Grass (2020)

Like a puzzle...

That was my first thought after completing the movie because in the end all three storylines connect to each other and make the movie whole despite an open for interpretation ending which I find quite fitting actually.
This is why I think this is a good movie, despite the negative reviews. It's not something you can watch while focusing on other things though. It needs your full attention, otherwise you'll get lost as the movie does not follow a consistent line but jumps between the three different storylines of the three main characters.
Only in the end will you see how these puzzle pieces connect. To some it will feel chopped, I find this sort of storytelling interesting. I also loved the color design of the movie with lots of warm colors in contrast with grey or black just like in the cover.
The acting was great. I watched it for Ma Si Chun, Vivienne Tien and Xin Peng which I've seen before in other dramas but Elaine Zhong and Johnny Huang also caught my eyes.
Plus, the OST was totally my cup of tea. Not sure if it's because I'm a 90's child or it just happened to get straight into my ear but I immediately went on a search for it.
I'm not sure if I'll rewatch it someday but I definitely recommend it for a one-time watch.

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Dark yet disappointing ...

A story of two young women and one young man in the booming period of the 1990's who rise up with their dreams that fizzle into thin air yet find life in the midst of despair. I knew nothing about Wild Grass going in, except that the cinematography was not going to disappoint. And it didn't, sadly the rest of the film wasn't quite on the same level.

It's a rather messy setup that sometimes works against the film, I think more tonal consistency would've been better here. The use of color and lighting is absolutely stunning though, camera work and editing aren't quite as good, the soundtrack too could've been a bit more distinctive. Wild Grass still fails to grasp the brass ring. An ambitious drama, centered on three people, about trying to realize one’s dreams.

I just found it really hard to connect with any of characters, and the story is kind of messed up, I literally watched this for Johnny Huang, but sadly was a bit disappointed, maybe if it was a series, and give each of the 3 characters there own story line then in this movie where is was all over show it might have worked better.

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