As I live in Taiwan, I eagerly awaited the release of this film, and watched it the day it was released. Because there aren't too many LGBT films released in theaters (especially in Asia), my expectations weren't that high; I was just excited to be able to see a gay (BL?) movie on the big screen. But this movie did not disappoint at all. The story invites you to the time when martial law has just been lifted, and times are clearly changing. After living in Taiwan for over two years, this was a welcome glimpse into a fascinating part of Taiwanese history.
The pacing of the relationship was a little different than your typical BL, and the acting was on point. There are a few different reasons why I wouldn't consider this a BL, the most prominent being the absence of clear seme/uke (masculine/feminine) roles. The two lead characters are well-crafted, and the emotional complexity of their relationship far transcends most BL story lines. I would even consider going back to the theater just for one particular scene; which, although technically a sex scene, accomplishes everything without showing anything. I've been thinking about the passion and emotion of that scene all day.
I feel like this film includes all the great elements of a BL series, but removes the saccharine and adds a plaintive historical setting. The music includes a classic Taiwanese pop song as well as a new song, which includes the film's title. The inclusion of both neatly represents the time jump of the story. This film is a must-watch, and I hope it gets the international attention that it deserves. Both BL and cinema fans alike will enjoy it.