Genre: Drama
Verdict: Soulmate is a transcending, intricate and beautifully shot drama that was created with a lot of heart.
Review
Based on the web novel July and Anshen by Anni Baobei, Soulmate tells the story of two friends growing up: free-spirited Anshen and demure July. It received 7 nominations at the annual Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards in 2016, and made history with a joint Golden Horse Best Actress win.
For such a personal, sensitive story, the movie is fast-paced yet still captivating. We follow July and Ansheng from the moment they meet, their school life, young love, drifting through hardships to the eventual conclusion of the movie. Although the story chooses a melodramatic and cliché turn of a love triangle, it serves as a tool to explore the dynamic of July and Anshen’s friendship, their dreams, and their choices in lives.
The movie is a masterful character study, made possible by its two actresses: Dongyu Zhou and Sichun Ma. They convey such raw emotions effortlessly, and when paired with the beautiful cinematography, they invite the audience to their world. Today, you live a lifetime with July and Anshen.
Where to watch? Rakuten Viki/Rent or buy on Amazon
