Watch Help Me, Eros

Help Me, Eros is a 2007 Taiwanese film directed by Lee Kang-sheng, who also stars in the film alongside Hui-Jen Liao and Dennis Nieh. The film revolves around three main characters. Ah Jie is a successful and wealthy businessman who is struggling with depression and an extreme sense of loneliness. Chyi is a young woman who works in a convenience store and is looking for romance, but keeps finding disappointment. Hsiao-Kang is a deliveryman who is lured into a world of sex and addiction by Ah Jie.

The film has a non-linear structure, with events happening out of order and being presented in a fragmented way. This contributes to the dreamlike and surreal atmosphere of the film. The three characters' stories intersect in unexpected ways, and the audience is left to piece together the connections between them.

Ah Jie's storyline is a portrait of despair as he grapples with his isolation and his sense of emptiness. He seeks human connection through sexual experiences, but finds them unfulfilling. He also develops a fascination with a woman he sees in a painting, whom he believes embodies the perfect partner for him. Ah Jie's storyline is painted in shades of melancholy, and Lee Kang-sheng delivers a powerful performance as a man on the edge of emotional collapse.

Chyi's storyline, on the other hand, is a series of disappointments in love, as she finds herself meeting men who are either unavailable or unable to give her what she needs. Her story is tinged with a sweetness and vulnerability, and Hui-Jen Liao gives a nuanced and affecting performance.

Hsiao-Kang's storyline is the most lurid, as he is taken under Ah Jie's wing and introduced to a world of sex workers and drug abuse. His character is the most sympathetic, as he becomes increasingly disenchanted with Ah Jie's lifestyle and seeks a way out.

Throughout the film, there is a sense of impending doom. The characters all seem to be moving towards some sort of climax, whether it's Ah Jie's descent into madness or Chyi's desperate search for love. The film's title, Help Me, Eros, refers to both the Greek god of love and desire as well as the character's pleas for help.

Lee Kang-sheng's direction is impressive, with beautiful cinematography and a haunting score. The film's use of slow motion and voiceover adds to the sense of unreality. The film also incorporates animation sequences, further enhancing its dreamlike quality.

Overall, Help Me, Eros is a beautiful and haunting film with nuanced performances from its three leads. It is a film about human connection and the search for love, but it also explores darker themes such as addiction, depression, and isolation. It is a film that lingers in the mind long after it's over, and one that rewards multiple viewings.

Help Me, Eros is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.