電影《青春未知數》影評：Soulmate

「What makes a painting from good to great, is five strokes. 「

「Is this the boldest you can do? 「

This is a coming of age story, in a small town America, written and directed by Alice Wu, who was born in 1970, and immigrated to the States when she was a small kid. The story is about three high school kids growing up, finding themselves and understanding love. It is very intelligent, fresh, and moving.

The protagonist is Ellie Chu, who is the only Asian girl in the almost entirely white community. She is way too smart, writes assays for her classmates for extra money, and takes care of her dad when she gets home. She is different. Paul Munksy is the jockey and nice boy, who thinks he is in love with Aster, the most beautiful girl in school, so he asks Eliie’s help for writing love letters to Aster for him. And Aster, another soul that is wondering and confused, just like Ellie.

The story unfolds with interesting twists and turns. The characters try to figure out things, like what is love, and in the process figure out who they really are. The scripts are wonderfully intelligent and philosophical, the acting felt a bit nervous and green at times, but still authentic. Some scenes were shot so beautifully, some conversations stay.

While watching it, I start to wonder, how much is the role circumstances play in one’s becoming, and how different things may turn out for individuals should their surroundings be different. Ellie and Aster, finally found someone their age in that community who can get them, who can understand. It is the loneliness that prompted the searching, and when finally someone comes along, you are drawn together. Should they lived in some other communities, it may not be this hard. Yet this makes the story unique, and haven’t we all struggled, to find the soul(s) on our own level, who could understand without us explaining, whose company we enjoy and cherish?

There may not be the perfect other half, there may not be a soulmate, but likeminded people who can connect with us on deeper levels sure make the journey more enjoyable.