Design 7 Love

Design 7 Love is a 2014 Taiwanese romantic drama film written and directed by Hung-i Chen, starring Wei-Ning Hsu, Morning Tzu-Yi Mo, and Thomas Price.

Set against the vibrant landscape of contemporary Taipei, the film outlines an intricate structure of love and relationships, particularly focusing on the intersecting lives of its three main characters; Wei-Ning Hsu plays Yixin, an aspirational interior designer, while Morning Tzu-Yi Mo portrays Yiwen, a passionate architect. Thomas Price brings to life the role of Yang, a charismatic businessman who connects these two characters.

The narrative begins with Yixin, a fresh graduate, who aspires to establish herself as a top-notch interior designer. Despite her plethora of talents, she finds herself struggling to secure a job due to her lack of substantial work experience. This is a raw depiction of the harsh realities that every young dreamer faces while trying to step into the professional world. Finally, her fortune changes when she gets an opportunity to work with Yang, a prominent businessman who finds Yixin's concepts remarkably unique and refreshing.

Simultaneously, Yang has his friendship with Yiwen, a passionate architect, who nurtures an unspoken love for him. However, the charismatic businessman is blind to her adoration, viewing their relationship purely as a platonic bond. The complicated interplay of emotions and relationships starts to unfold as Yixin also begins to develop feelings for Yang, inciting a web of drama and romance.

These emotional entanglements are not simply a backdrop to the characters' professional evolution, but they drive the narrative forward with increasing intensity, eventually making significant impacts on their personal and professional lives. Also compelling is the thematic exploration of Taipei, a city in flux, much like its young inhabitants. The urban scenes reflect modern Taipei's architectural beauty and the creative ingenuity of its inhabitants.

One of the highlights of Design 7 Love is the incredible chemistry amongst the three leads. Wei-Ning Hsu, Morning Tzu-Yi Mo, and Thomas Price bring their characters to life with stirring performances. They seamlessly intertwine layers of confusion, hope, love, regret, and unfulfilled desires within their characters, making the audience resonate with their emotions deeply.

The film also emphasizes the beauty of design, modern architecture, and the visual arts. Being centered around characters associated with interior design and architecture, the movie leverages this opportunity to portray magnificent houses, offices, and city landscapes. These awe-inspiring visual elements enhance the aesthetic appeal of the film and highlight its central theme of creative pursuits.

Another strength of the movie is its sophisticated screenplay, which enthralls the audience with its original story-layering and multi-dimensional characters. It impeccably marries drama and romance, crafting complex emotional play embedded within honest relationships. The film also addresses the perils and rewards of following one's passion, and it depicts the complex intersections of love and work, presenting a layered narrative that draws the viewer in from the beginning.

Design 7 Love also exercises a considerable amount of depth in exploring the dynamic between love, friendship, and professional aspiration, casting light on how each sphere of life can heavily influence the others. It delicately unfolds the intricate equations of relationships, demonstrating how both personal and professional choices can have an irreversible impact on our lives.

While primarily a romance, Design 7 Love is much more than a conventional love triangle narrative. It is an exploration of young adulthood, dreams, creativity, friendship, and the turbulence of love. It is a cinematic experience that encapsulates the modern human condition, providing a well-crafted, sensitive portrayal of complex emotions and life choices. It's a film that intrigues its viewers through its realistic portrayal of the world of design, romantic complexities, and the arduous journey of adulthood in a modern, fast-paced city like Taipei.