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Cry Me A Sad River Film | Recap and Review |

๐Ÿ‘ธ

Hi!

So last night i've watched the film version of Cry Me A Sad River. At first i didn't know that it was a novel adaptation, but since i liked it so much after watching, i kind of Googled about the film and found out that it is a novel adaptation by Guo Jingming, and a drama series will be aired too later, with different casts (although i wish they kept the same cast 'cause the film casts have captured this girl's whole heart especially Yi Yao and Gu Sunxi) and a little bit different plot. 

Of course when it comes to adaptation it's going to be a little bit or a lot different from the novel itself. Like in the novel [SPOILER ALERT], there are sensitive issues like suicide, abortion and teen pregnancy that not all audiences could take it. I didn't read the novel but i am aware on how the story goes in the novel. So when i watched the film, there are aha moment that i said "oh they've changed the character development." or "Oh the ending is different from the novel!". Anyhow, i do like the film version more. I even wish they could make this film version as the drama version instead. Anyway, let me tell you about the story, not based on the novel but based on the film, okay? I'm going to tell everything lol, so if you don't want spoilers, please read this after watching.

[ RECAP ] review is down there, so skip this recap if you want to read review only.

So, the story is about Yi Yao, a high school student who lived with her mother. Through some flashback we could see that when her father was still alive, they were a happy family. I guess everything's changed after the dad died, that lead to financial issue or something because the mother now treat Yi Yao not like she used to and kept saying don't ask her for money etc. We get introduced to Yi Yao's neighbour, Qi Ming, a popular and smart student at Yi Yao's school. He is shown as nice to Yi Yao, compared to his mother that looked at Yi Yao's family with raised eyes, which annoyed me really, 'cause just because you live better doesn't mean you can look down on people above you bla bla. At the beginning of the story, Yi Yao complained to her mother that she doesn't feel well in her stomach but her mom ignored her, thinking that Yi Yao's giving an excuse to get money from her (Really? What kind of a mom are you?).

Yi Yao and Qi Ming
Then Yi Yao and Qi Ming went to school together. While on the way, Yi Yao saw a girl getting bullied by some students but kept going anyway. Yi Yao still doesn't feel good in her stomach so she Googled it at school. Later we found out the girl that Yi Yao saw being bullied, Xiaomi has transfered to her school and making friends because she looks rich and beautiful (maybe?). Coming back from Google-ing about her pain, Yi Yao was asked by the girls to take photo of them. Xiaomi asked one of the girls why Yi Yao doesn't wear her uniform. The girl replied that Yi Yao is poor, and this kind of give Xiaomi's different insight on Yi Yao. Xiaomi later sensed that Yi Yao saw her getting bullied at and slowly has bad intention on Yi Yao. I don't know what her problem is as long as Yi Yao doesn't say anything, but Xiaomi see her as a threat, especially when she knew that Yi Yao is close friend with Qi Ming, the one she starts to has a crush on. Yi Yao told Qi Ming that she's going to the hospital because she needs to find out what's wrong with her ongoing stomach pain.

While Yi Yao going to the hospital, Qi Ming was in an award ceremony in which the beautiful and kind Sunxiang captured his eyes. Qi Ming and Sunxiang stood next to each other on stage to receive the awards with other recipients. While receiving the award and a bouquet of flower, Qi Ming accidently shoved the flowers on Sunxiang's face, to which Sunxiang reacted suspiciously. Turns out she is allergic to flowers and Qi Ming then brought her to the same hospital that Yi Yao went that time. Speaking of Yi Yao, she found out that she contracted STD disease (it wasn't mentioned what the disease was, maybe AIDS or HIV?). She couldn't believe the diagnosis and kept telling the doctor that she's still a virgin and would never contract that kind of disease. The doctor said it's rare but possible to get the disease without sexual activity and informed her that Yi Yao need to come for treatment regularly. When the doctor informed her of the treatment's high price and she need to inform her condition to her guardian, Yi Yao came out the room running and crying. Going into a lift, there was a boy (my boy over here!!!) in there, silently watching her cry. 


The boy noticed Yi Yao's school uniform and asked if she's okay. He introduced himself as Gu Sunxi before the lift door opened. Sunxi went out, so did Yi Yao, but she was clueless on where she is and later tearfully got in another lift. Sunxi, clueless as well, just let her go. It was revealed then that Sunxi is Sunxiang's twin brother when he met Qi Ming and Sunxiang at the hospital. Sunxi didn't seem to take a liking on Qi Ming because of the flowers incident and warned him to stay away from Sunxiang. 

At home, Yi Yao hesitantly tried to tell her mother that she's sick but her mother again thought she's making an excuse to get money from her. Hearing her mother response, Yi Yao gave up on telling her about her condition. On the way back to his home, Qi Ming stopped by at Yi Yao's home, asked about how her meeting with the doctor goes. Yi Yao said nothing about her condition and said she's fine. She saw the flowers on Qi Ming's bike. Qi Ming gave them to her, saying that the flowers brought him too many troubles. Qi Ming's mother noticed they were talking and asked him to come back home for dinner. She then silently told Qi Ming not to get involved with Yi Yao's family as it will bring him bad rumor. 

The next day at school, while looking out the window, Sunxi saw Yi Yao running at the other side of the school's building, then smiling to himself. 


Out of class, Xiaomi invited Qi Ming to karaoke to which he agreed. That night, ready to go to the karaoke, he stopped by at Yi Yao's house to ask her about the stomach pain. Yi Yao then fainted in front of him. While Qi Ming was carrying the unconscious Yi Yao, she had flashbacks of when she had a happy life with her father still around. Waking up at the hospital, Yi Yao asked Qi Ming what the doctor said, to which he replied it was hypertension. Relieved that Qi Ming didn't find out about her disease, she asked how much the hospital bill was, Qi Ming said it's fine, he'll pay it all. Yi Yao then told Qi Ming not to be too good to her or else she would take it for granted. Qi Ming later called Xiaomi to inform her he couldn't go to the karaoke because Yi Yao is in the hospital. This fuel Xiaomi's hatred on Yi Yao even more. Yi Yao woke up from her sleep with Qi Ming still beside her. She said she had a dream of Qi Ming dead. Qi Ming assured her that dreams are not true. She silently cried because she also dreamed of her living happily with her parents, knowing fully well then that it wasn't true too. At home, Qi Ming stole some money from his dad, which his dad noticed but didn't say anything.

The next day, Xiaomi *pretentiously* asked if Yi Yao is okay and later noticed Yi Yao is hiding something from her. Going back home, Qi Ming told Yi Yao that he will go to a summer camp and wouldn't be at school for some time. He later offered the money that he stole to her. Yi Yao asked where he got that much money and rejected it. They had a fight because she didn't want Qi Ming to stain his good reputation because of her. She shoved the money back to him and left. Sunxiang saw what happened and went to Qi Ming. She asked about the summer camp that she will be also going. 

On her way to the hospital for regular checkup, Xiaomi silently followed Yi Yao to know what's going on. Yi Yao changed her mind on going to the hospital because of the high medicine expense, and instead went to somewhat an illegal clinic to get cheaper medicine. She was caught by Xiaomi and yep, this is when everything went downhill. Xiaomi spread a rumor at school that Yi Yao caught a sexual disease. With Qi Ming and Sunxiang not around, Yi Yao suffered bullying from everyone at the school. To be honest, i was wondering where Sunxi at this time because isn't he supposed to be her knight of shining armor? Lol. 

There was then a scene where Yi Yao's bag was in the lake because of the bullying. She got into the lake to retrieve the bag but later dragged out from the lake by my boy Sunxi!.


Sunxi mistook the situation as Yi Yao trying to commit suicide. He told her not to do it because she's still young and he'll find a way to stop the bullying (i like him so much can you all tell?! Haha). Yi Yao told him that it wasn't the case, that she was just trying to retrieve her bag. They had a cute banter back and forth, at least to me it's cute haha. Sunxi later introduced himself, but Yi Yao remembered his name from their first meeting (remember? the lift scene. I didn't know she would remember it *heart eyes*). While Yi Yao leaving, Sunxi dared her to skip school the next day. 

They did skipped school the next day. Sunxi brought her some breakfast and they played around at a playground. Yi Yao asked him why he is with her when everybody else isn't? Has he not heard about the rumor? Sunxi said he always stick around with his twin sister, now that she's not around he felt lonely. He later said he heard about the rumor but he didn't care about it. 


He comforted Yi Yao that getting the disease wasn't her fault then teasing her if she ever had done 'that'. Yi Yao then asked him to leave her alone because she's a bad luck, to which he assured that he won't. He gave some advice to Yi Yao to fight off her bullies. He said that the bullies knew she's afraid that's why they're excited to keep bullying, that her fear is the stimulus. He added that she needs to be brave and let her bullies know that she could fight back, only then hopefully the bullying will stop.

Yi Yao took Sunxi's advice and fought back her bullies at school, which is worked. At some point, Sunxi helped her too (arrgghhh can i get a boyfriend like him too?). One day in the cafeteria, while she was walking on the aisle, a classmate carrying his lunch, walking towards her, tried to avoid bumping into her but instead bumped into someone else, causing his lunch to spill onto his uniform. He later stupidly mad at Yi Yao, claiming that because of her he got his uniform dirty. Yi Yao stared at him and took a leave. The classmate angrily asked where she's going, saying she need to pay for the laundry (really? no wonder you're a bully. I guess every bully is stupid). Few seconds later, Yi Yao came back into the cafeteria with a large hose, spraying the classmate with water (You go, girl!).

 

The cafeteria turned into chaos until Qi Ming arrived, which i assumed has come back from the summer camp, and stopped Yi Yao. He brought the hose outside and found out it was Sunxi that turned on the pipe (Bonnie and Clyde, i see *wink wink*). 


Qi Ming was mad at Sunxi, claiming that Sunxi has persuade her to do so. Sunxi said he is a man full of charm (which i happily agree), but Yi Yao is an independent girl, she fought for herself. Sunxi later splashed some water on Qi Ming, causing them to have a fist fight.

Later, the school had an assembly, with wounded Sunxi and Qi Ming, to remind the students of school violence. The principal aimed at Yi Yao for starting the violence, to which she didn't take it calmly (of course, tell me who started the fight? But nobody say anything?). The principal's lecture was interfered by Sunxi, who purposely stepped on the mic wire to stop the principal from lecturing Yi Yao. He got on stage, took the mic and said Qi Ming, the excellent student at that school also violate the rules by fighting with him, in his attempt to direct the blaming from Yi Yao (isn't he charming?). The principal took the mic back while Sunxi winked and smiled at the smiling Yi Yao.


Because of that, Sunxi was punished by standing outside the teachers' office. Sunxiang came and had a talk with him. Sunxiang said she didn't know he has made a girlfriend. Sunxi then saved Yi Yao's number in Sunxiang's phone, saying that the number is more important than 911 (so smooth, Sunxi). Sunxi told his sister to contact Yi Yao if she needs him *melting*.


Later, Yi Yao was in the bathroom and need a sanitary pad. Her bully and Sunxiang were outside, listening to Yi Yao's request for a pad. Sunxiang was about to give hers when the bully asked her not to, saying that Yi Yao is a virus. Sunxiang, a kind girl she is, gave hers anyway by slipping it through the bathroom door. 


Yi Yao went to see the doctor at the illegal clinic that she frequent to. The doctor advised her to get a treatment, which would cost her a lot of money. At home, Yi Yao's mother was massaging a customer when Yi Yao burst into their house. Shocked, the mother told the customer that Yi Yao is no one and asked him to wait while she went outside for a while. Her mother was mad at Yi Yao for coming back home at the time Yi Yao wasn't supposed to, the time when she was attending her customers. Her mother said the customers must not know about Yi Yao's existence or else Yi Yao would be the disgusting customers' victim. Yi Yao then begged her mother for money, without knowing the reason Yi Yao needs it.  

Then, there was a school trip to a museum involving our leads here with other students. While waiting on the bus, Yi Yao had a stomachache and left the bus for the bathroom. Xiaomi noticed Yi Yao's unattended bag and later told the bus driver that everybody's already on the bus. The bus then leaving without noticing Yi Yao chasing it. Sunxi then saw what's happening and teased her about getting ditched on. Sunxi said to not be disheartened by life to which Yi Yao replied the sun didn't rise from the west (something like the life doesn't change the way we want it to be). Sunxi playfully came to the rescue by taking her into his bus instead.

At the museum, Yi Yao stick to Sunxi all the time, to which Sunxi asked why she didn't join her class. Yi Yao said no one said to stick in a class. Sunxi teased her by saying she just want to stay with him.


He then saved Sunxiang's number in Yi Yao's phone in case she needs him, because his mom always took his phone away. Yi Yao said Sunxi is so different from his twin sister. Sunxi agreed and boasted about his great sister when then they saw Sunxiang walking together with Qi Ming. 


Yi Yao had an angry face, the same as Sunxi's, who noticed Qi Ming had put a jacket on his sister, so he tried to put his sweater on Yi Yao too haha. 


The *perfect couple* noticed Yi Yao and Sunxi. Qi Ming gave a glance on Sunxi putting his sweater on Yi Yao and asked why Yi Yao didn't join her class. Yi Yao didn't say anything but Sunxi instead said Qi Ming didn't join the class too (savage Sunxi!). Qi Ming firmly asked Yi Yao to join the class. Noticing Yi Yao doesn't want to, Sunxi replied for her instead, saying no for her, shocked Yi Yao at his defense. They later went into the museum where they're going to experience an earthquake. When the earthquake strike, Sunxiang hold on tight to Qi Ming while Sunxi hold Yi Yao tight. Yi Yao saw how perfect Qi Ming and Sunxiang is and felt jealous, realizing Qi Ming has feelings towards Sunxiang instead of her. Later, Yi Yao got into her class bus which she was ditched on, and noticed her money is missing. She confronted Xiaomi about it and later it was revealed that Xiaomi has used all the money on cakes, saying to all the classmates that Yi Yao treat them. Yi Yao couldn't believe how Xiaomi used the hard-earned money to bully her. Mad at Xiaomi's ignorance, she attacked Xiaomi and spilled her medicine on Xiaomi. Qi Ming stepped in and helped Xiaomi, giving a sharp glance at Yi Yao for what she did.        

Later, Qi Ming had a talk with Yi Yao, on how bad she has behaved. Yi Yao poured her heart out, saying everything that happened isn't fair. Qi Ming asked if she has anything to explain to him, how she got the disease. Yi Yao couldn't believe that Qi Ming could think she got the disease sexually. At the same time, the customer of Yi Yao's mother was taking a shower at their house and grabbed a towel. The mother got mad and said not to use that towel (oh no!).

Qi Ming kept implying that Yi Yao was on the wrong, (i couldn't accept it, but i guess i can't blame him because he didn't know what's going on with Yi Yao? I didn't like Qi Ming here because i expected him to understand Yi Yao and be on her side, but he didn't). Yi Yao said Qi Ming wouldn't understand her life because he has had a great life compared to her. Qi Ming kept telling her to look on the bright side and be positive, but Yi Yao said it's not that she didn't try, but she can't, she didn't ask for that kind of life. We then get a glimpse of how different Yi Yao and Qi Ming's life is. Later at home, Qi Ming was still in thought of what Yi Yao had told him. Hopefully he's thinking that he has failed as a friend. Yi Yao on the other hand, threw the flowers Qi Ming gave her into the trash, which i implied that Yi Yao ended her friendship and trust with Qi Ming (it's okay, darling. You got Sunxi, your knight in shining armor!).


Yi Yao searched on everything in her house for money, when later she found a parcel full of money. (I couldn't read Chinese so i didn't know what was written on the parcel, but i guess it's Yi Yao's name because once she read it, she fell to her knees, feeling guilty). Her mother came back from school after being summoned by the principal and caught Yi Yao stealing her money. Knowing everything about Yi Yao's disease and 'violence', her mother lashed out at Yi Yao, telling her how Yi Yao brought trouble to her and asked how she got the disease. Yi Yao said she didn't do anything disgraceful, she always used the same towel. This confession gave a light bulb to her mother, that all these times her customer has been using Yi Yao's towel, so that's where Yi Yao got the disease. Feeling guilty, her mother took the money and hold Yi Yao's hand to go to the hospital. At the brief moment, Yi Yao felt a mother's embrace that she hasn't felt for a long time. Because of that, the next day Yi Yao was seen walking to her school with more confidence. 


On her way back from school, Yi Yao saw Xiaomi being bullied by her former classmates. Xiaomi threatened Yi Yao not to reveal what she saw. Xiaomi even offered money to keep Yi Yao silent. Yi Yao on the other hand rejected the offer and challenged Xiaomi to keep her silent about it. At home, Xiaomi texted with someone with hatred on her face (i couldn't read Chinese, i didn't know what they're texting about *sad face*). 

The next day, while waiting for Sunxi for their date (heeeeeeeee) Yi Yao got a text from someone asking if she's Qi Ming's girlfriend. Sunxi arrived and saw the text, feeling jealous haha. Yi Yao explained that the person might got a wrong number, the text should be to Sunxiang. They had this cute interaction for a while (heeeeeeee) and then Sunxi said that it was Sunxiang's birthday and she's probably outside celebrating with Qi Ming. Yi Yao got another text from the same person, Sunxi said not to bother and ignore it because it wasn't for her (listen to the jealous man, Yi Yao haha). Yi Yao instead forwarded the text to Sunxiang. 

can you see how happy he is to go on a date with Yi Yao?
While waiting for the bus to see Qi Ming, Sunxiang received the text from Yi Yao. A girl rushing to get into the bus and spilt her coffee onto Sunxiang. Sunxiang then texted the waiting Qi Ming about it. Later we were shown that Sunxiang went to an abandoned building while texting someone. While Yi Yao and Sunxi on a date, Sunxi got a phone call from Sunxiang but couldn't answer it because his phone died seconds after. We then get to see Sunxiang being chased by some unknown guys, which later led to her accidental death (yep, she's dead). Xiaomi at her home, received a text from someone and looking shocked. 

The police retrieved Yi Yao's phone because now she's a suspect. Everyone at school including Qi Ming believed that Yi Yao was behind Sunxiang's death. Sunxi, feeling sad about his sister's death, asked her not to contact him anymore. Yi Yao's desperate pleading that she didn't do it remain unheard by everyone, including Qi Ming (you've disappoint me, Qi Ming). 

Because of Sunxiang's death, Yi Yao's been bullied even worse. Not having Sunxi by her side any longer, Yi Yao has given up on living. She went to a river next to their school to commit suicide. 


The whole school heard about it and urged everyone to go see her. The news reached both Qi Ming and Sunxi, but it passed through them just like that because they're still mourning on Sunxiang's death. The students all flocking together by the river, some mocked her and some begged her not to do it. Sunxi, still sitting at the school, came into his sense and rushed to the river. He tried to convince everyone that it wasn't Yi Yao who texted Sunxiang but nobody seems to believe him. 


Sunxi's desperate plea for Yi Yao to get off the river didn't reach her. Yi Yao then poured her heart out at how much she has suffered from everybody's bullying. Her confession seems to put some sense into some of the bulllies (because of the regretful looks on their faces). Yi Yao later said she didn't know who killed Sunxiang, but she definitely know who killed herself and then went running into the river. 


While Sunxi, which is my boy over here haha, chased after her to save her, the other students panicked because they couldn't believe what they have done to Yi Yao. Sunxi pulled Yi Yao out and off the river. Other students tried to wake up the unconcious Yi Yao but to no avail (my Yi Yaoooooooo *cries*). 


Later, Xiaomi was caught by the police for her crime, which is ordering the unknown guys to kill Qi Ming's girlfriend, which she mistook it for Yi Yao (i don't think she meant to kill her, but to only scare her but it tragically ended with death). The school has an assembly to remind their students on bullying. Their teacher wrote a letter about it to the government and the school received wide media coverage. The news on TV mentioned that the court would give punishment on that school for Yi Yao's bullying case. At home, a few people were seen moving things out from Qi Ming's house (i didn't know where he went, i don't care lol) while Qi Ming put a bouquet of flower on Yi Yao's house window. At the same time, Yi Yao's mother sold her massaging chair, implying that she wouldn't do the massaging job anymore. Sunxi transfered to another school (*cries again*) and introduced his name as 'the sun that rises from the west', which is the wordplay he always uses to Yi Yao (*cries again and again*). 

Why did you transfer school? Don't you want to be by Yi Yao's side anymore?
We later see Yi Yao all by herself having her monologue at the lake where Sunxi mistook her committing suicide (yessssss she's alive!!!), on how to embrace grief and not to give up on life regardless of what happened. She saw a flashback of herself and Sunxi after the suicide incident, sitting next to each other by the lake. 


Sunxi said that Yi Yao should depends on him and then translated his 'Sunxi' name as 'the sun that rise from the west' or in another word Yi Yao's hope. Hearing that, she smiled at Sunxi (thank you Sunxi, for being a great guy to Yi Yao *ugly cries*). Out of the flashback, Yi Yao sat by the lake and looked at the spot where Sunxi used to sit, when later she saw Sunxi looking at her from a distance (yesssssssssssssssssssss!) and then smiled at him.

    
The end.

[ REVIEW ]


I like the film's cinematography and direction of the story. I didn't know about you but the film doesn't look cheap, and i like it when the production took cinematography seriously because those things could make the story more appealing and beautiful to watch. I love Yi Yao's monologue too, it doesn't waste time but instead give us a little glimpse on how it feels to be a victim of bullying. The actress playing Yi Yao nailed it, at least for me. But the characters development a little bit lacking from my opinion, which is why i hope the film is the drama version instead. For an hour-long film, the film made a sufficient and tight plot for audience to digest everything that happened, good job on that. I heard that the original novel's ending is a tragic one, instead of the bittersweet ending that we get in this film. I'm glad the production didn't follow the original ending because the audiences need to learn one thing or two about this story, which is to keep surviving bullying or anything bad that happened in your life, and that there will always be at least someone by your side for you to depend on. I also hope the bullies out there watch this film and at least feel a little regret on what they have done to their victims, or how big of an impact it is to be bullied.

On the characters, i like Yi Yao a lot. I have nothing to say about her other than the fact that she doesn't deserve all the things that happened, really i feel bad for her. It makes me think does an unlucky person like her really exist in real life? If she was in front of me, i would just hug her all day and patting her on the back, "I'm with you, don't be sad, keep on living, please". I don't blame her for the attempt suicide, but also glad that she learnt something from it and then keep on living. Thank you, Yi Yao. I really thank you for keep on living.

On Qi Ming, at the beginning of the film, i like him because he seems to be the only person on earth that genuinely care about Yi Yao, regardless of what everybody else is saying. Also how he was there when Yi Yao has nobody by her side. But as the story goes, he seems like a jerk to me. First, out of all people, Yi Yao trusts him the most because he's been there for her from the start and though of him as her real friend, but Qi Ming has to questioned her disease, defended Xiaomi which broke Yi Yao's heart on how he could see her that way. With him making friend with Sunxiang and being away most of the time from Yi Yao, i could see how slowly he became distant to Yi Yao. Second, i'm disappointed in him when he told Yi Yao to look at the bright side of life, like really Qi Ming? Have you been there in her shoes and experience first-hand on what she's been through? Third, he was just there standing  still when Yi Yao attempted suicide, i expected more from you, Qi Ming. Just because Yi Yao is a 'suspect' of the murder, doesn't mean you should let her die. Okay enough of Qi Ming.  
Sunxi, my man lol, is the MVP of this film haha. He was there for Yi Yao, read the recap and you'll see how much time he's spent with Yi Yao, and how big is the influence he gave Yi Yao. He was the one to advice Yi Yao on fighting back her bullies, he was the one to be there for her regardless of rumor and everything, he was the one to take Yi Yao out from her gloomy world, he was the one who save Yi Yao from drowning and assured her she got someone by her side. A knight in shining armor at its best! I don't blame him when he cut off his contact with Yi Yao for a while after Sunxiang's death. He's a person too, who need time to mourn and heal, especially when Sunxiang is his twin and had always been good to him.


Sunxiang, i like her. She's not judgemental to Yi Yao like everyone else. She's a likable character, never done anything bad, and nice to everyone. It's sad and unfortunate that she's become the victim of Yi Yao's and Xiaomi's beef. 

Speaking of Xiaomi, i have no idea what's wrong with her. We didn't get her backstory in the film so i didn't know why she is the way she is. She's a victim of bullying herself, but then bullied Yi Yao. This girl doesn't learn her lesson. Hate is a strong word but i really hate her character. Glad she got caught at the end, but still i feel like getting caught by police is not enough for what she has done from the start. I feel like she need to get some lessons from Yi Yao or Sunxi at least. Maybe if we get to know her backstory i could sympathize with her a little bit, maybe.

Yi Yao's mother, i assumed after her husband's death, she had no one to depend on, she has no choice to make ends meet other than taking the massaging job. Despite treating Yi Yao that way, we could see she actually care about her daughter. Her life circumstance turned her that way, so yeah it's sad. I'm not a mother yet, but through this film i learnt that as a mother, it's a huge part in your kids' life. Just a little embrace from a mother could give a big impact on the kid's life. So mothers out there, please let your kids know that you love them.

Throughout the film, one of the girls at school doesn't seem to like the bullying on Yi Yao, but she just kept silent about it. I thought she's going to play some role in Yi Yao's story development, but nope she's silent till the end lol. Maybe it was just the film's way of showing that there is someone like her, who doesn't like bullying but at the same time didn't do anything about it. 

Overall, i like this film a lot, wish it was longer because i want to see more of Yi Yao and Sunxi's cute banter haha. I'm a sucker for cute couple like them. Oh wait, i noticed there's no kiss scenes in this film. This film is one of the films that doesn't need kiss scenes to portray a relationship like Our Times and Love You You. I heard about the drama adaptation but i don't think i'll watch it because it seems to be a little bit different from the film version that i had tattooed in my heart now, and it seems to focus more on Yi Yao's relationship with Qi Ming instead of my boy Sunxi.

Yi Yao only smiled when she's with Sunxi, so yup, Sunxi, you've played such a big role in her life.
For anyone out there who is suffering the same fate as Yi Yao, i hope you don't give up on life because life has so much to offer once you get through the unfortunate events. Find someone you can rely on, if you can't, seek a therapist. Please don't let the bad side of life consume you, please. To bullies, i really have no idea why you have to bully someone. I can't say anything because i really have no idea what's on your mind to bully someone. I hope bullies will get bullied back by their boss at work or partner at home, because what goes around comes around, heh.

That's all for now. If you're someone that love drama genre like me, this film is a must watch for you. Till then, ciaw!  

~tgblabla~

  
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65 comments:

  1. Hi, at first i have no idea about this movie so im searching a review about it and found your blog. Really, i feel so sad about Yi Yao. I can't imagine if that happens to me. Bullying is really dangerous!! Oh God, same to your opinion, i hate Xiaomi! What's wrong with her? If you bullied it doesnt mean you can do the same to others! Im sorry if im too sensitive but i had some bad experience about bullying so this movie really...(speechless) Okay, back to the topic, thank you for your review and sharing your opinion :)

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  2. Btw, im not good in english so hope u understand what i mean ;)

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    1. She did actually, I can explain but its kinda long

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    2. She's dead. At the end , qi ming put the flowers with white ribbon on her window (white means death in chinese) . her mother sold the massage chair with a sad face . and sunxi transferring school indicates she was dead :) . And the last scene is just sunxi's memories of her when he said "sun from the west", or maybe his imagination of her finally smiling when he came to the lake to reminisce her

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  4. I came to read the review cause it's um.. Late I don't want to sleep crying and I already cried at somewhat quarter of the film. Anyway thank you for the summary. I just can't muster up to watch this alone and I know for sure It will be heart wrenching. So it's just insensitive of you to be sensitive in this insensitive world

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  5. I really LOVEEEE this movie..like I m a big fan of sad and depressing movies(don't worry..I'm not a serial killer๐ŸŒš) so this movie was really my piece of cake...I really liked it and ya I think this movie should get more credit and recognization..

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  6. Where can i read the english version of this book??

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  7. The writing on the envelope with the money said “Yi Yao’s tuition fee”

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    Replies
    1. Her mom was saving money so yiyao could later get into a college

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  8. Replies
    1. Sorry to ruin your world ๐Ÿ˜‚ but she died

      At the end , qi ming put the flowers with white ribbon on her window (white means death in chinese) . her mother sold the massage chair with a sad face . and sunxi transferring school indicates she was dead :) . And the last scene is just sunxi's memories of her when he said "sun from the west", or maybe his imagination of her finally smiling when he came to the lake to reminisce her

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    2. It’s her dad at the end not sunxi, same clothes and look from the back as her dad from her dreams/memories

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    3. It's not her dad. In the memories, the dad is wearing a blue color shirt with a green top. The boy at the end is wearing a green hoddie, and it's obviously Sunxi's head.

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  9. Just done watching on YouTube ! And it’s kinda annoying that the subs are too blurry, so i didn’t understand that much ! So, I came here and Google the summary of the story ! Thanks a lot !

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    Replies
    1. watch it on kissasian is available there with good subs

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  10. Replies
    1. Yes.. The reason is you can search up and down as some people already explain it.

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    2. but then why was sunxi smile at her in the end?

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    3. and the blog above also said that yiyao saw a flashback of herself and sunxi after the suicide. But if she died, how is she able to see the flashback?

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    4. But Yi Yao likes flowers right. Remember Qi ming gave her flowers and she look very happy. Maybe that's the reason why put flower at the window at the end of the movie. Not for death๐Ÿ˜…

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  11. The movie is nice
    But can anybody tell me is she dead or not and if she is alive then how do u know
    If anybody knows then tell me plzz

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    Replies
    1. Yes. The reaso is you can search up and down in the comment as someone already explain it. Just too long. Huhu

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  12. Thank you for this review....but the story is kind of open ended....don't know what really happened....
    Thanks again for writing this awesome blog...Love from India !

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  13. Thank you for this review....but the story is kind of open ended....don't know what really happened....
    Thanks again for writing this awesome blog...Love from India !

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  15. รšgy รฉrtem hogy melyik vรกrosban jรกtszรณdik a film pontosan?!

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  16. So Yi Yao did die in the end, so sad and tragic!

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  17. I just watched this movie.I am here for know yi yeo is die or not....after read review and comments I know my answer... She died.so sad..

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  18. I really like this movie. At first, I thought that yi yao is alive in the end of the film. But after reading some of the comments, I finally realized that yi yao really died in the end. And that the last part of the movie is just sunxi reminiscing his memories with yi yao. It's very sad and tragic ๐Ÿ˜ข
    BTW I love the character of sunxi here❣️

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    Replies
    1. no ,,,she's dead , thats why sunxi transfer to other school , n yi yao mom sad face when she sold her massage chair , and qi ming moving out n give her flower

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  19. this movie really made me cry, sunxi is really a great guy, i want a boyfriend like him lmao,i love this movie it is really great

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  20. She wasn't die but she's alive safety

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  21. I like this film so much..but in the end i m crying over the day for the yi yao..i don't like yi yao died >•<

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  22. I also don't like you yao died

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  23. ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ

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  24. hi.. can someone tell me the title of the song when Yi Yao is running to commit suicide? The violin sound together with the drums?

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  25. I loved the review and the recap, thank you for taking the time to do it, your words were very nice, we seriously must continue fighting no matter the situation we must always move forward, and not give up, also I agree with you that the drama they released distort the movie, because it develops the love between Qi ming and Yi yao, when the one who behaved like a whole gentleman was Sunxi, who supported, encouraged and helped her. I'm from Venezuela, and I don't speak English, I translated it by google, I really don't know if I'm saying everything I want to say.

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    Replies
    1. Me also. im not good in english..but when i sawed this review .i really understand the whole story...when i watched this movie i believed that yi yao is alive but im wrong.how sad...im a filipino

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  26. I really loved the movie...and of course sunxi..I wanted more.....๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ

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  27. Nice movie. If you liked this, you should also watch After My Death (korean movie)

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  28. anyone who still think yo yao alive is wrong ,
    1. when qi ming moving out he look so sad n desperate when he watch the new on tv yi yao from the window n he put the flower with white ribbon ( its for dead people )
    2. sun xi transfered to other school ,if yi yao was alived he wouldnt move to other school
    3. at the last scene yi yao wear the same clothes when she committed suicide

    it just so sad, but bullying is always there no matter what , there s always some assholes who like to gank up n bullying the one who is weaker than themselves

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    Replies
    1. Not the same clothes as when she committed suicide. The same top, but she wore white striped blue running pants when she jumped in the river. In the last scene she is wearing jeans, same as she was wearing in the flashback scene.

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  29. I'm definitely going to cry a sad river to this movie.

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  30. I have a question? Is Yi Yao alive? or in the ending is Yi Yao is a soul and she thinks her memories with Sunxi? I do not understand the ending a little bit. Thanks

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  31. For those of you wondering where you can read it, i found this website:
    http://readonlinenovels.com/nv/f045a5bcae1ea56c/cry-me-a-sad-river-h

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  32. Wait wait wait, how can the police suspect yi yao murder sunxiang???? I really don't get it at this point...someone please explain to me

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    1. Because of the text message. Remember the date between yi yao and sunxi? When the unknown number text yi yao asked her whether is she qi ming's girlfriend.. she didnt bother to reply and just forward the message to sunxi's twin sister. So police assumed that yi yao was the culprit behind the murder (they must have took sunxiang's phone and saw the last message) but its actually a misunderstanding. I hope you understand this cause eng is not my first language ^^

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  33. So it was Xiaomi that sent the thug killed sunxiang?
    And pls someone should help us translate the texts that Xiaomi sent/received.

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  34. Thank you so much for the review! It made me understand the film better<3

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  35. I still don't understand why Lin Huo Feng-Yi Yao's mother (Vivian Wu) moved out of the alley after Yi Yao almost killed herself, or why Qi Ming moved as well? There was no explanation for this scene.

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  36. It was really sad. Bullying is a reality. Parents play an important role in their child's education on mutual respect, tolerance,...but we can never anticipate how things will turn out. Children can be influenced easily, at that age they are still forging their identity...this film is a real life lesson.

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  37. Haha got captured by the movie thats why im here when i first wacth the movie i think yi yao is dead then i read the original novel from the prologue till chapter20 only then read the comments here and like what? also theres a battle thats why i wacth again the last part when gu senxi introduced himself as a new transferred students and then after he speak his name he implied that senxi means"MY sun rises from the west"and the next part we can see yi yao standing on the circle besides the lake where yi yao and gu senxi second encounter happenned (senxi thought yi yao wants to be drowned) while standing yi yao said to herself "when did i last see the sunshine as warm as it is? Yesterday? Or long long ago?"then she use her hand to see the the sun while facing to the west๐Ÿ˜Š (she miss her sunshine ๐Ÿ˜senxi).she continued "embraced grief let sorrowed and rage shoot you throuh.Do not hold tears let them run themeselves.Grief is like a torrent that swallows you up or takes you where dream rests.(you know what it means right?hehe) then nxt part we can see both yi yao & senxi sitting on the circle if you notice what gu senxi wore yes!the white jacket that he also wear when he introduce himself to his new school ok lets back between yi yao & senxi satting on the circle, gu senxi ask if yi yao knew if that venus is the guardian of taurus bla..bla..then he introduced himself to yi yao only to remind yi yao that he is the sun that rises from west the Hope of yi yao that he is always by her side no matter what.that part is only like a departure scene of senxi to yi yao because he will transfer to another school. Yes yi yao is alive๐Ÿ˜ and before the movie end we can see that yi yao and gu senxi reunite๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜Š wearing the green jacket and yi yao wearing what she wore on the past scence while talking to herself asking if when is the last time she see the sun as warm as it is and that day they reunite she see her sunshine comes from west.

    Okay i will also explain why Qi ming put the flower on yi yao house because yi yao likes flower and also Qi ming last thing he will give to yi yao, the flower is like a goodbye gift because Qi mings family will gonna move to a new apartment like on the original novel written bc his father is a businessman bla bla and if your curios why yi yao's mother throw or sell the massage chair is not because yi yao dead is just because she care to her daughter and she dont want yi yao catch the disease again and begin a new life with her daughter. Like the other family seek new beginning after that incident.thats all bye bye.
    My boy senxi ๐Ÿ˜

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  38. Hehe misheard sunxi to senxi i forgot what his name mean sun xi sun rises from west.

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  40. I think why Sunxi transfered to new school was because of his twin sister's memory. He went the school with her na. Also some students may ask about it which will sad him. If You yao actually died why would he transferred to another school? Also the mom with sad face sold the furniture not because of her, it's just to protect her daughter and felt the guilty which everything her daughter faced because of it. And also it implies she was started showing affection and protection towards her daughter.

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