How Long Will I Love U

How Long Will I Love U is a romantic comedy offering an interesting fusion of love, comedy, and science fiction. The film was released in 2018 and is set in Changsha, China. It is directed by Su Lun and features engaging performances by prominent actors including Jiayin Lei, Liya Tong, and Hao Chen. Offering a unique blend of engaging storytelling and light-hearted humor, this film explores the unconventional concept of time travel and its impact on human relationships, more particularly on romantic love.

The story of How Long Will I Love U revolves around the lives of its two main protagonists, Gu Xiaojiao (Liya Tong), a young woman from 2018, and Lu Ming (Jiayin Lei), a struggling young man from 1999. This unlikely duo shares an apartment – except they are living in it 19 years apart. Due to a mysterious quirk in time-space continuum, their timelines intersect, and they find themselves unexpectedly sharing the same living space.

Gu Xiaojiao, a modern woman, is in her late twenties, likes to party and is somewhat disappointed with her unaccomplished life. She's debating whether to settle in with her current boyfriend and fulfill a seemingly conventional destiny. On the other hand, Lu Ming is an aspiring architect engrossed in his dreams of designing his magnum opus. He works as a draftsman to support himself, yet refuses to stoop down to ignorant orders of constructing ghastly buildings.

The film takes an interesting turn when Lu and Gu wake up to find their lives entwined. Suddenly, they find themselves living together in the same apartment in the same timeframe. This odd cohabitation brings along its own share of comic and dramatic episodes. Also, since they belong to different time periods, the socio-cultural differences provide just the right amount of friction and humor to keep the plot interesting. Their constant struggle to return to their original timelines forms the backbone of the narrative, adding an engaging conflict to the plot.

The uncanny situation obligates them to adapt to each other’s lifestyle and, in the process, they learn about each other's desires, aspirations, and disappointments. Lu, from the past with traditional values, helps Gu to rediscover her heart’s real desire while Gu, from the future, guides Lu to become bolder and more assertive. As time passes, they become accustomed to each other, sharing their frustrations, dreams, and accomplishments. This is where the film beautifully uncovers their evolving relationship, which, initially marred by confusion and exasperation, slowly blooms into friendship and evolves into love.

With this novel premise, the film raises some intriguing questions - How can love blossom in such an unusual situation? Could a person from the past and another from the future possibly connect and love each other sincerely? The film tries to answer these questions in its own sweet, romantic way. The idea of love transcending the barriers of time and space carries the narrative forward and keeps the viewer intrigued and engaged throughout.

Su Lun's direction paints a colorful and enticing backdrop to the narrative. The cinematography excellently captures the contrast between the different eras, each detail meticulously crafted to deliver an authentic portrayal of the respective time periods. The performances are equally balanced. Jiayin Lei embodies Lu's struggles and aspirations with undeniable charm and conviction, while Liya Tong delicately portrays Gu's modern, independent, yet emotionally conflicted character.

The film, while being a romantic comedy at its heart, also touches upon social and economic dilemmas faced by both generations. It subtly comments on the various societal changes that took place during the two-decade transition, thereby adding depth to the narrative. The film's unique, thought-evoking and endearing narrative coupled with delightful performances, promises a viewing experience that is heart-warming, funny, and thoroughly engaging.

In the end, How Long Will I Love U invites its viewers into this charming time-shifting microcosm full of laughs, tears, and profound lessons on love and life. It delicately unravels the mundane commodities of life and seduces one into re-thinking their own perceptions about love, dreams and the concept of time.