BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“We are all drawn to the unknown. And the journey is full of uncertainty.” – Quote from Love Algorithm
This is a remarkable series and one I truly thought is worthy of being called a masterpiece. I am sure not everyone will agree and, truthfully, I might understand. This saga is not without its flaws but none that I would consider major or even enough to consider defective. I realize that the episodes are short – very short. Normally, a significant foible for any evolution; but, in this case, it seemed to use that to advance the story in an au courant fashion.
This parable touched me deeply. Most assuredly, it is compelling on several different levels. To say nothing of the fact that it was produced and directed in Malaysia which in and of itself took courage. Given their religious and governmental repressions/regressions of anything gay, I am somewhat surprised that this was even completed. Kudos for that accomplishment. Indeed, that is no small accomplishment.
Perhaps what stands out the strongest is the screenplay. This is one of the sharpest scripts I have seen put on screen this year and perhaps for a long time. It is insightful, intellectual, relevant, and polished. There is nothing artificial or melodramatic about the story or any of its characters. They tell the unfolding as is. It is just so refreshing to watch a narration that does not pander to the lowest common dominator. It is a chronicling about two men who were deeply in love, lost it, and in between, lived in a sort of Purgatory. Then, found it again. And the probability (algorithm) of that happening again is astronomically small. That is their story. But it is told in a pensive but flourishing tone.
Cole (Jack Gohr) is a producer and scriptwriter for a struggling reality dating show. With ratings slipping, they need a notable to bring in the viewers. Cole, a handsome but laconic and deeply reflective individual, is shocked to discover that one of the potential contestants is Phil (Zhen Ning) who is a popular viral singer. Cole states he does not think he will do it and when it is discovered that they have a history together, he is asked to recruit him. Cole and Phil indeed do have a ‘history’ together, but it is one of a disquiet but intense love for one another that got twisted, discombobulated, and abandoned due to youthful silliness and pretends. Although the union severed, the love never did.
Phil agrees to do the show only if Cole produces it for him. And with that, whether they wanted to or not, are forced to deal with the agony of their split and the pain, deep emotional pain, that went with it. Worse than that, the ‘scripted’ unscripted dialogue of Phil became too close to current feelings, that both were beginning to stir up and resurrect. Both the old angers and old intensities of affection – whether conscious or unconscious – were getting closer to the surface. Thus, making the reality of the show painful for Phil.
Everyone knows (or at least you should) that these ‘reality’ series are certainly not spontaneous or unscripted. And one other contestant, January (May Ho) plans with Phil an alliance that could be beneficial for both and make for good ratings. While feelings were not to be a part of this dalliance, January actually began to fall in love with Phil. However, as the series seasoned, Phil and Cole began to see each other in different perspectives through the dialogues that Cole wrote for Phil which were really his confessional dialogues meant solely for him. Phil knew it, sensed it, and began to internalize it. He again had re-fallen deeply in love with Cole (or simply reignited his intense love for him that frankly never left) and this time there is no-turning-back.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? There are not many characters in this short series but the ones that are, completely stand out. Not only are they relevant, they also all have personalities. The director of the show, Lisa, curtly played by Lynn Lim, is a no-nonsense taskmaster but with a heart underneath. She has a commanding aura when she walks through the door. The other is an adorably cute intern named Henry played by Jason Lau who is awkward and fumbling, always trying to please her. He is terrified of losing his job. But underneath, a strong physical connection is developing and being initiated by none other than Lisa. Feeling sorry for him, she begins to dote over him but not to the point where it is yet obvious. It is all so subtle. Slowly, he begins to see her overtures and is relaxing a great deal more. This is just such a nice change of pace for a BL series to go off into a different direction and make two people feel relaxed, and maybe just maybe there is a possibility of a relationship. It is just charming and sincere and utterly refreshing.
Simply by reading this review, one might question what then makes this series so special or unique. It frankly is the experience its force has on you. Normally I detest short duration episodes as one cannot develop an intensity about the characters. But this proved me wrong, even given that most of these episodes are mere minutes long. But this production made the most of those minutes and packed every scene with a punch. The screen chemistry between Zhen Ning as Phil and Jack Gohr as Cole is conspicuous and remarkable. So much is conveyed non-verbally. There is a naturalness to their performances that honestly feels unrehearsed, ironically. Every time they meet, you can feel the sexual tension between them simply grow exponentially. The flashbacks as to how they met and how their relationship originated all plays into why they feel the way they do now and are never overused here. Somehow, we just know that neither have been in love with anyone else since the other one left. That is how strong and powerful this relationship was and still is.
The incorporation of the filming of the ‘reality’ dating show was simply brilliant. Each step of that production represented a milestone in their burgeoning relationship that Cole and Phil had to relive and gain insight into what drove them apart. It is not splashy or involves a lot of people. They in essence are the only two who know and/or fully understand the nuances. So, when Phil looks at January and tells her he is leaving the show, we know exactly and precisely where he is heading to and with whom he will be with – while no one else in their world understands what just happened.
This is not a straight-forward kind of story. Quite literally, one is not really sure how it will finally flesh out. The story is not linear. It is not clean. And it is not romantic but it sure is filled with sexual tension from the very second Cole and Phil see each other again. Their reconnection is obtuse mainly coming to fruition through the dating show. The storytelling style has an Avant-Garde flair about it as if parts of the story are missing and yet, in the end, none of that matter. We see, literally for the first time, Cole and Phil smiling. Looking human and alive, for a change. Not like sad sacks or shrills of themselves.
The cinematography of this series is just as revolutionary as the storytelling. Dark, brooking overtones yet never completing overshadowing everything. Symbolisms are everywhere throughout the series linking the past to the present. The set of keys plays an enormous link between them that is omnipresent. This story and series are meant to be felt and cannot be looked at passively. If so, you have missed its point – then go back and watch it again. It has to be felt and discerned.
It is the undertones of the performances by the actors/actresses that enchants you to them. It all feels natural. The quiet moments, the pauses, the looks especially between the protagonists that are the stars of this series. This is a master class in nuanced acting and caters to the intellectual portion of one’s brain most interested in intrinsic developments rather than explosive ones, or theatrical experiences, or simply appealing to the animal eroticism of most BLs.
This series may not move mountains but will inspirit you to detect a deep love between two men that we have not seen, but know it is there, buried, although never ever forgotten. And so strong that neither has ever been able to match it again. How do we know that? By what these two do not say to each other. That is how we know. You will know what I mean when you watch this series.
This is a brilliant series that took my breath away with its storytelling, its spot-on acting, and its flair for nuanced mastery between the characters that made them honest and genuine because we saw them project being weak, vulnerable, and frankly scared. They overcame all of that for – you guessed it.
This is one of the finest BLs I have seen this year. This whole production is indeed a Magnum Opus. One that should not be missed.
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