Our Times (2015) User Reviews

A Simple Story of First Love, Poison Chain Letters and Teenage Idols That is Well-Cast, Well-Acted, Well-Written and Thoughtfully Made

[ctowyi · 8/10 · 26 October 2015]

Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) is untouchable. Back in 1987 I first saw it with a guy and both of us loved it tremendously, but hated the fact that we had seen it with each other. On that same fateful day we cooked up a plan to double-date and watch the movie again. Of course we didn't tell our respective partner that we had seen it. What transpired during dinner after the movie is the stuff of stories. The girls looked at us completely awed with the priceless stuff that spewed out of our mouths. This is what happens when you see movies with cine-heads like us after mulling over a movie for some time - movies are not just movies; they are events. Some Kind of Wonderful has always been one of my "test" films for girls. I choose the girl for life based on her appreciation of it and to ace the test means how euphoric she becomes and how many joyful tears were shed. The girl who passed with flying colours eventually became my other half. You are now probably thinking whether you are reading the right review. The thing is Some Kind of Wonderful is not quite untouchable anymore. Our Times borrows the same formula and puts a new spin on it. It is right now the number hit in Taiwan this year and it is easy to see why.

The movie takes us on a 20-year journey through the life of the main character, Truly Lin (Vivian Sung). Seen mostly as a flashback to how her life wound up where it is, we follow Truly back to her senior high school year and watch as she teams up with TaiYu (Darren Wang) to break apart growing love between rivals Ouyang (Dino Lee) and Minmin (Dewi Chien). Through the course of the next year we watch all 4 teens mature, and in the end, nothing is as originally desired.

Our Times is ridden with age-old clichés and formulaic to a fault, but it still manages to stay fresh with a winsome cast and spot-on emotional beats. The movie wears its big heart on its sleeve and for anyone who was a student in the 80s the movie will envelope you in a bubble of nostalgia. If you ask me, nothing beats the 80s on so many levels. Like my "test" movie and You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011), Our Times is not about whether the girl/guy will get the guy/girl in the end. It is about whether the girl/guy deserves the guy/girl. Not many movie narratives dare to ask the question and this one plays the game so well that it will harken you back to the best of times - the time when saying "I like you" to the one you like is the hardest thing to do in the world because if you don't get a "I like you too" back it practically feels like the end of the world. Those are the times when the ills and pulls of society and familial responsibility have not put its deadly spell on you yet, and there is a wind beneath your feet and wings on your back. A sense of invincibility and fragility permeates your entire being. The movie captures all that for me and puts me in a warm place.

Our Times may feel like kids' stuff with a whole lot of slapstick, monster-teacher clichés and teenage stereotypes, but its pluses out-weigh the minuses. It is a simple story of first love, poison chain letters and teenage idols (mine was Seiko Matsuda and I carried a photo of her in my wallet ) that is well-cast, well-acted, well-written and thoughtfully made. Watching this is like witnessing little stars slowly going supernova. The chemistry between the leads burns like a bonfire and any movie that can somehow make me swim in the best years of my teenage life scores big-time. The last act has two major cameos that took me out of the story a little, but by then I was so vested in the characters that it doesn't matter anyway. Our Times crosses the finishing line with finesse and sent us going off into the rest of our lives with a bounce in our step. I hope it will be the same for you.

A wholeheartedly beautiful movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 1 May 2017]

Being a sucker for the Asian cinema, I needed no persuasion to sit down and watch "Our Times" when I was given the chance to do so. And prior to sitting down to watch it, I didn't even know what the movie was about. Nor did I actually know of its existence.

"Our Times" actually turned out to be quite a good movie, as it had a beautiful storyline, a good and detailed character gallery, a fair amount of comedy, and it had a good ensemble of cast.

What worked out well for the storyline was the way that writer Yung-Ting Tseng had manage to weave a story that spans over many years, revolving around the essential core characters of the storyline without losing the red line throughout the story as time passes by. But more so, also the adept approach of director Yu Shan Chen in bringing the script to life on the screen.

This is the kind of movie that will appeal to a broad variety of people in the audience, because there is a lot of different layers to the movie and lots of different topics.

The actors and actresses cast for the various roles and characters were doing really good jobs at bringing their respective characters to life on the screen. And it was a pure joy to watch their individual and collective performances in the movie.

"Our Times" was definitely a very enjoyable movie, one that is driven by a powerful and beautiful storyline, as well as a fantastic character gallery. This is the type of movie that you will easily be able to view more than just a single time around. I was thoroughly entertained by "Our Times" and can warmly recommend that you take the time to sit down and watch it, regardless of it you like Chinese cinema or not.

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 6/10 · 25 June 2018]

Having watched many school slice of life movies, I've got to say that this one follows the same logic as the others. It did remind me of Reply 1997 as well. Also, I loved the sweet innocent romance, as the love story, even though it was full of cliche, it was enjoyable and warm. The performances helped with it as well. The pace was nice, not too fast but not to slow to be tiring and boring. However, the ending was a bit of a disappointment for me. As I've said, after watching many school themed movies, I should have expected this to happen. Few of them had a satisfying ending with a closure or at least a conclusion to the romance. Even though the ending was better than others, and gave some nice touch to the story, it still didn't feel right. Other than that, it was an enjoyable movie.

The first love and the first heartbreak.

[Reno-Rangan · 9/10 · 14 March 2016]

This is the very closest movie to my favourite Thai teen rom-com 'A Little Thing Called Love'. In fact a few scenes are almost resembling, including the main characters and love quadrilateral. So there's no wrong if I call it the Taiwan version of that movie. I thought I am going through again in another language, but I was not uninterested to sit for it because it was a beautiful story that I can re-watch numerous times without losing any interest.

Remember its not the same movie, but only a similar themed flick, or maybe a highly inspired by that. This film had its own share of story and character developments. The third act was obviously a bit stretched, but twist came at early in that section and turned this tale into entirely different from what we thought going to happen. Except the second conclusion (I mean the real time ending, not the flashback's) which was so old fashioned.

I found some similarities with my life and that Thai movie I mentioned, because that was based on the true story of everyone's first love and so this one. So finding a slice of your life in it is very much possible. The story of an ordinary girl, but it opens with a young woman recalls her school days after discovering her successful life was seen differently by others from her back. That takes us to the early 90s, like every girl in the school how her crush on a most handsome boy on the campus changes the course of her romance life after receiving a prank letter that states she must forward it to others.

"When we say it's okay, it means it's not okay. If we say I am fat, that means we hope you can tell us you're not fat at all."

Obviously it is a girl movie from a teenage girl's perspective narration. But as a movie fanatic, I never had any issues with such kind of movies or any others and to like them openly. Basically, I watch any movies because I want to be an all-rounder, not to stick to my age or what I'm. This movie simply reminds my school days and would do same to you as well. The school culture is different from European and North American to the rest of the world, especially in Asia. But if you're from South, Southeast or East Asian, you will get familiar feeling with this film and that will helps you to like the movie a lot.

In a few parts it lost its reality touch to, you know things that happen only in movies, especially as I said the ending and scenes that tried hard to bring laughs. You love this only for the flashback narration. The first and the last 5 minutes were ordinary. Everyone's performance was phenomenal, totally engaging storytelling. In this particular movie it was not about how much predictable, even if you feel deja-vu, but how it pleases you with those quirky atmosphere. A youthful Taiwanese film I liked very much since 'You Are the Apple of My Eye'. It does not look like it was made by an incoming director.

There were plenty of fun, but on the emotional side, it was slightly weak. But overall it was one of the best coming-of-age movie of all time and recently I have seen. It's already gained a cult status from youngsters that you can find fan made arts across the web. Don't give up on this if you are an adult or adult male, entertainment should be the preference and what comes beyond that is not your choice, but the natural response from your inside. Despite the length of the movie, it had an energetic pace with fine music and heartwarming scenes. In general, I recommend it to all, especially if you like teen romance.

9/10

A truly magical journey that will leave you breathless and crying

[bethelabba-553-227653 · 10/10 · 28 August 2015]

I've lived in Taiwan for 7 years now. I've seen movies like Jay Chou's "Secret" put a fine twist on the Sci-Fi genre, Cape #7 dominate the box office (pulling in half a billion dollars in Taiwan's currency) and KANO leave an amazing lasting impression --- yet nothing prepared me for the stunning beauty of this simple love story set mostly in 1994 era Haulien.

Though the movie has modern day bookends (opening & closing the movie is a sort of "Where did it all go wrong" prologue) the main brunt of the time is spent following Truly Lin as she matures through her senior year of high school. What starts as a simple coming of age story starts taking on a life of it's own through the sheer force of the main two characters, Lin Truly & Hsu TaiYu. (In Chinese, last names are first)

Vivian Sung plays the younger version of Truly Lin and Darren Wang the younger version of TaiYu Hsu. Both actors bring such amazing life to the characters that midway through the movie you will have forgotten there are other characters actually in the movie. They both dominate the movie powerfully, showing vividly the awkwardness, determination, innocence and zest for life that so accompany being a teenager. Doubtless, the way these two play off each other will be studied for years to come and copied by many Taiwanese directors and screen writers. Their performance was honestly flawless.

I don't want to spoil the movie in any way, but I've already seen it three times in one week and it is really hard not to sing the praise of something so magical --- I guess the simplest way to put it is that this is one of the most breathtaking movies I've ever seen, start to finish. As one of my ESL students remarked on her Facebook page, "went to the bathroom after the movie, and every girl there was puffy-eyed from crying." It really will do that to you, even after the credits start rolling.

Good comedy romantic movie

[thejassivakumar · 7/10 · 9 May 2020]

This is a movie which tells it's story in a flashback. An IT worker gets fed up with her job and her current situations and she recalls the beautiful memories of her highschool where she was a nutcase untill she met someone... and how that someone changed her life . And will they meet again... See for yourselves.

A Simple Love Story Is Better Than Fake Love Fiction

[BlankerL · 9/10 · 21 November 2015]

I just want to talk about the story's timeline and actors without talking about any shooting skills.

As for the leading actress (Yunye Song), she does really well in the movie. To be a pure girl in senior high school, she is undoubtedly good at it. Being the leading actress in Café·Waiting·Love (2014) made her know clearly what she is good at. In this movie, she turned to be a ugly girl at the beginning, and became a pretty girl because of falling in love. Thousands of people say that the most vulgar movie will take the chance of owning the best title, I support this point of view, one could easily figure out what will happen next in this movie, but you are still willing to wait for it to take place. Like all love stories in 1990s' Taiwan, this story is pure and make people feel relaxed. When you are watching it, you felt like taking a nap. When all the story came to an end, you just thought all the story was in your SWEET DREAM.

The leading actor (Dalu Wang) is a born rascal and his eye can tell everything. Judging from his eye, his love and anger are evidential. Gotten the first chance to be the leading actor, he grab the chance like Zhendong Ke in You Are The Apple of My Eye, I believe he will be the next generation famous stars in China.

The scene is of great beauty, everything is set according the past, there is no contradiction with history in this movie.

There are lots of bonus in this movie, Andy Lau in flesh, Jerry Yan in flesh, even Jiayi Shen (an character in You Are The Apple of My Eye) are in this movie.

But I only can vote it 9 out of 10, because there are some plots the same as those in You Are The Apple Of My Eye, which I voted 10 out of 10 and have watched for more than 5 times.

Teenage love story!!!

[akb007 · 7/10 · 8 March 2017]

Truly Lin is a hard-working optimist trapped in a busy job and she really misses her old school life. It tells the flashback story of Truly Lin's high school life and She has a crush on Ouyang Fei Fan, the school's most popular male student. She teams up with Taiyu, school's notorious gangster boy to help each other win their dream dates. For a directorial debut, this film did very well. A well scripted and the image of Taiwan in the 1990s was fascinating. Pop songs, hairstyles, letters and teenage obsession with star Lau all made a strong impression of the story. It was a pleasure to watch it and it has all ingredients for a teenage love story. Overall, I really enjoyed it and it's worth a shot.

High school romance

[pranjalicse · 10/10 · 9 May 2021]

One of the best high school romance drama I have seen. Darren wang is soo good . Came here after watching the wolf . Even other cast and crew is perfect.

cute, tear-jerking, heart-warming

[hasnarb · 9/10 · 19 May 2017]

We can't help but to feel nostalgic while watching this movie. It is definitely able to bring us back to be age of our innocent youth. The movie tells us about the feelings that teenagers face around that age, and we can't help to reminisce the memories.

The story is quite simple. The girl is a huge fan of an idol, and at the same time, she has a crush on the school's most popular boy. And while pursuing her love, she finds out that her crush is close with the school's most popular girl. And she then teams up with the school's gangster who likes the popular girl, to tear them apart. And so on.

It's like, we've all been there, so people may think that this story is a little bit cliché. Sure, it's quite predictable at some parts. But this movie still successfully captures the ups and downs the adolescents face. The hardships of being honest to yourself, the innocent love we have for our idols, and the discovery of love that they are yet to understand; this movie has it all.

I personally really like this movie as it strangely gives me warmth. I recommend this to those who love the simple stories from coming of age movies. This gives the same vibe as an also a Taiwanese movie, You're The Apple of My Eye. Watch both, you'll love both <3

Formulaic and boring

[tenda_ashly624 · 2/10 · 12 January 2016]

I admit, this movie does not deserve a 2 out of 10, but I feel compelled to give it such a low score to bring down the overall ratings it currently possesses. A 7.5 out of 10 is overrating Our Times, granted that You're the apple of my eye, a much more successful version of this movie, is only 7.7.

The plot is formulaic and repetitive: a clumsy diamond-in-the-rough type of girl harbors unrequited love for the white prince of the school. Then a black prince comes into the picture, gradually sweeps her off her feet with his charm and sincerity. But then the director drops the old classic study-abroad bomb into the drama as the black prince has to leave the country to study abroad due to his misdemeanor. The two of them are separated for 6 or 7 years but surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), still hold feelings for one another. The movie ends with a profoundly unrealistic fairy-tale conclusion (not just in the fact that the two meet again as if destiny calls on them but also the impossibly romantic setting) which rouses the hopeless romantic girls out there, making them swoon and go "awwww", but bores experienced movie- goers to the core, making them go "fuuuuu..." and wonder why they bought into the praising reviews. In terms of depicting the bittersweet sentiments of first love, Our Times pales in comparison with You're The Apple of My Eye, mostly due to its formulaic and unrealistic nature. You cannot "feel" much because you know it cannot happen in real life or can already predict what is happening next.

In short, watch Our Times if you are looking for a movie to while away your time, or if you are a romantic searching for an excessively, over-the-top fairy-tale love stories.

*I am not a follower of the You're The Apple of My Eye cult. I'm merely comparing the two movies because of the similarities in the overarching theme of youth and first love.

glad i watched it. loved it for the most part.

[thatguydude · 8/10 · 30 August 2016]

first off im a guy and watched this with my gf only knowing it being a comedy movie. i have seen "you are the apple of my eye" and that had to be one of my favorite movies. "you are the apple of my eye" does a great job of showing a guys side of a love story. i was surprised this movie was similar but in a good way. so if you loved "you are the apple of my eye" you will surely love this one. it has enough funny moments and some good heart felt moments for sure.

the best part i like here ***SPOILERS************ was this foreshadowing that took me by surprise even though i didn't blink an eye when watching the movie. the foreshadowing im talking about is when we find out taiyu suffers a dangerous head injury. they show him on occasion getting hit hard on the head but you think nothing of it since he was portraying a bad ass image you figure it meant nothing. but NOPE! they show the reason why he missed school and all the flashbacks. IMO best part of the movie was that. annnd now the only thing i hate was the ending. i know this movie isn't real but they really stretched it out and kind of made it weak by having taiyu being the "ticket guy" at the end. i'm more of the bitter sweet ending person that's why i loved you are the apple of my eye so much. if this movie ended with Truly just reminiscing at her office and make taiyu sadly passed away from head trauma or be fine but lost in contact from Truly i would actually enjoyed it more. obviously that's just me. ****END OF SPOILERS*********

Main point is this is one great great memorable movie. definitely going in as one of my favorites.

Everyone's life

[ugyj · 10/10 · 2 May 2021]

This movie makes me back to school this feeling of the flim is incredible one of my favorites Taiwan flim.

One of the best movies i ever seen!

[hazaldag-37600 · 10/10 · 3 January 2019]

This is is a must-have-to-seen movie. At some points i laught and at some points i cried. Lots of emotions. My favorite Movie.

Good times

[sathyaaero · 10/10 · 28 February 2021]

This is not a film it's everyone's story. Screenplay was good and beautiful Scenes made Screenplay more intersting and non boring. Cool Cinematography and Good Background music. The most unforgettable days of everyone's life were our school and college days importantly the one who we loved, this film will definitely recollect those days. This film will gives us a beautiful emotions or felling after watching also with some drops of tears. A must watch movie.

The movie that an improve your foresight

[yangjinny · 3/10 · 11 April 2017]

Just before the beginning of this review.I'd like to let you know that this is my personal thinking. For my opinion, this movie dis not "too bad".But just try it out if you have a lots of time and money.The reason why i hate this movie is because of the "too common story". i wonder who wrote this kind of scenario.If i figured it out i would like to give an advice to the scenarist that it's good to have twists inside the movie but you have to consider genre and basic settings before you try to add dramatic part in your writing.A stroke of good luck in, actors are this movie's saving point. I had to admit that every single one of them are attractive even though i hate this movie.So when you watch this movie you will soon realize that Frankie Chen is qualified to be a director because of her casting skill. Literally actors are the only part that lets you stay and watch all the non-empathized plot and heavily dramatic settings. Even though i hate this movie but i'd like to recommend this movie to others. But remember main characters are the only reason of this recommendation. Try it if you have a lot of time and would like to experience dramatic(but have no connection between the story)and the story that to be seen in anywhere or any third-rate movie