Watch Girlfriend, Boyfriend

Girlfriend, Boyfriend is a Taiwanese coming-of-age drama that explores the lives of three close friends - Mabel, Liam, and Aaron - as they grow up in a rapidly changing Taipei during the 1980s and into the 1990s. The movie is directed by Yang Ya-Che. Mabel, Liam, and Aaron become friends when they are in high school and quickly form a bond that will last for years. They each have secrets and fears that they don't share with anyone else, but they feel comfortable confiding in each other. Mabel is an outsider, who is new to the school, she immediately becomes the object of affection for both Liam and Aaron. She feels closer to Aaron, but he is struggling to accept his sexuality, while Liam is still trying to come to terms with his feelings for Mabel.

One of the strengths of Girlfriend, Boyfriend is the way it captures the sense of time and place. The movie is set against a backdrop of political and social change in Taiwan during the 1980s and 1990s, and the characters are dealing with the impacts of those changes. The film expertly shows the students' reactions in the school's dramatic anti-government demonstrations in the late 1980s, as well as the subsequent crackdown by the government, which disband their student-run radio station.

The film also deals sensitively with the struggles of Aaron, who is coming to terms with being gay at a time when it was still very much taboo in Taiwanese society. Aaron's reluctance to come out and embrace his identity is painful but relatable. It's always tough to admit who you are in a world that might not understand or accept you.

The acting performances in the film are exceptional. Gwei Lun-Mei's portrayal of Mabel as a young woman with ambition and rebellion is particularly engaging. She manages to convey the complexity of the character's emotions and desires, and she creates chemistry with both her co-stars. Hsiao-chuan Chang delivers a strong performance as Liam, who seems to be dealing with his own sexuality while becoming increasingly radicalized in the protests against the government. Meanwhile, Bryan Shu-Hao Chang's Aaron is a nuanced and emotional character, who is dealing with guilt and shame around his identity.

The cinematography of Girlfriend, Boyfriend is breathtaking, offering a stunning contrast between the past and present of Taipei. The movie uses archival footage of the city, which gives it an authentic period feel. The characters' story serves as a lens through which we witness the city's transformation into a modern metropolis, as neon lights and tall buildings replace the old, traditional structures.

The soundtrack of the film is a beautiful blend of Western music from the late 1980s and early 1990s and Taiwanese indie music. The music perfectly captures the era's sense of longing and disillusionment, and it adds to the film's emotional depth.

Overall, Girlfriend, Boyfriend is a beautiful and poignant film that explores the complexities of adolescence and identity with honesty and sensitivity. The movie depicts an era in Taiwan's history that is often overlooked in cinema and does so through an intimate story that is emotionally powerful. It's a rich, thought-provoking story that stays with the viewer long after the credits have rolled.