Both Li Chao and her writer friend needed psychological help. Li had an extremely tragic adolescence from which she has not recovered. As an adult, she is now living in a world of confusion and ambivalence. By contrast, the writer with whom she became obsessed was apparently so lonely that he would latch on to any "secret admirer" who would take an interest in him.
Early in the film, it was clear that the writer retained intimate connections with his ex-girlfriend. He also seemed like a perfect father to her little boy Javier. With such a dynamic woman and a beautiful child, it was not clear why he would not do everything in his power to make his relationship with her work. It was almost as if it he preferred the inevitably short-lived thrills of a dead-end romantic connection. And that is precisely what he experienced.
Throughout this film, the character interactions were simply not credible. The filmmakers were aspiring for a European-style art film. There were even pretentious animated interpolations in which the Li and her writer were portrayed in brief cartoons.
The actors in this film have genuine talent and worked mightily to rise above the lackluster material. It was also clear that that the life and work of the French writer, philosopher, and social activist Simon Weil were not studied with care. One of the most sensitive and humane thinkers of the twentieth century, Weil was not given her due in the film. Let's hope that the two main characters, Li and her writer get the help they deserve. And a good place to start would be in reading the works of Simone Weil.
Early in the film, it was clear that the writer retained intimate connections with his ex-girlfriend. He also seemed like a perfect father to her little boy Javier. With such a dynamic woman and a beautiful child, it was not clear why he would not do everything in his power to make his relationship with her work. It was almost as if it he preferred the inevitably short-lived thrills of a dead-end romantic connection. And that is precisely what he experienced.
Throughout this film, the character interactions were simply not credible. The filmmakers were aspiring for a European-style art film. There were even pretentious animated interpolations in which the Li and her writer were portrayed in brief cartoons.
The actors in this film have genuine talent and worked mightily to rise above the lackluster material. It was also clear that that the life and work of the French writer, philosopher, and social activist Simon Weil were not studied with care. One of the most sensitive and humane thinkers of the twentieth century, Weil was not given her due in the film. Let's hope that the two main characters, Li and her writer get the help they deserve. And a good place to start would be in reading the works of Simone Weil.