My Best Summer

My Best Summer from 2019 is a heartwarming Chinese coming-of-age romance directed by Disha Zhang, and is based on a novel, My Best Summer by Wei Xi’s. The movie sings a beautiful tale revolving around the themes of first love, friendship, and self-exploration, featuring charismatic performances from its young and talented cast, including Arthur Chen, Haha He, and an impressive supporting role by Kara Wai.

The movie places viewers into the lives of two main protagonists, Geng Geng and Yu Huai. Arthur Chen portrays the character of Yu Huai, an artful student, who is witty, intelligent, and the heartthrob of the school. He's a perfectly imperfect character, flawed yet loveable in his quirks and attitude.

Opposite him, the character of Geng Geng, played by Haha He, is a wide-eyed, sincere, and diligent student who always strives for her best but unfortunately always finds herself in dodgy situations. She is the quintessential 'outsider', someone who's yet to find her footing in the overwhelming sphere of high school dynamics.

A notable sub-plot revolves around the character of Zhang Feng, performed by Kara Wai, a stern yet caring teacher showing both the harsh and heartwarming realities of a mentor’s life who tremendously cares for her students.

The movie kicks off at the beginning of a new school year in Ningbo, Zhejiang, where Geng Geng, with all her nervousness and curiosity, is ready to step into high school. Similarly, Yu Huai, the popular kid, is all set to shine through the year. Fate entwines the lives of these two disparate individuals when they end up in the same class under the supervision of teacher Zhang Feng.

My Best Summer is primarily a love story developing between Geng Geng and Yu Huai. Their journey commences from a place of playful flirtation and evolves as they share heartfelt conversations and experiences this new phase in their lives together. The unique mix of innocence and infatuation, confusion and clarity, nervousness and excitement creates an enchanting and captivating narrative.

However, the film doesn't limit itself to their love story. It crafts a tapestry of growing up, revealing the fears, challenges, and victories in everyone's formative years. It beautifully captures the highs and lows of adolescence, peer pressure, competition, and more. These thematic explorations enhance the narrative as they ground it into believable experiences relatable to many.

The film seamlessly translates emotions effectively on screen. For instance, Zhang Feng's struggles as a teacher and her compassion towards her students portray a striking and compelling dynamic. Furthermore, the friendships that bloom amid examination stress, competition, and growth pains bring an element of heartfelt reality and camaraderie to situations. It crafts a beautiful narrative of bonds that emerge from shared experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

My Best Summer is shot in a very lively and vibrant style, from colorful classroom scenes to romantic candle-lit sequences. The cinematography is eye-catching with well-framed shots augmenting the overall viewing experience and complementing the movie’s soothing and sparkling storyline. Furthermore, the film’s soundtrack complemets the narrative well, enhancing the heartfelt scenes and masterfully conveying the emotions of the characters.

Overall, My Best Summer is a charming and delightful film that takes viewers on a journey through high school life. It succeeds in tugging at the heartstrings and invoking a sense of nostalgia, regardless of where and when you went to high school. It is a masterful blend of youthful energy, adolescent struggles, blooming romance, enduring friendships, and the joys and trials of growing up. It is those lovely and relatable elements that make it a warm, celebratory, and engaging watch.