A unique love story that transcends time and memory.
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Produced by Sylvia Chang and Kung Siu Ping in his first feature directorial debut, Measure In Love, is a captivating fantasy-romance drama that transports audience to a dystopian future which explores themes of love and sacrifice in the face adversity, as well as the struggles of individuals trapped in a world which is designed to keep them apart. The cast includes Taiwanese heartthrob Greg Hsu and Angela Yuen, along with Jack Tan, Stephen Tung, Chan Fai-Hyung, Pui-Yiu Jan, Thor Lok, Natalie Hsu, and Yoyo Tse Wing-yan in supporting roles.
Measure In Love opens with the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake which created the Wall of Gravity separating the world into two distinct zones: the Aurora Zone and the Evergreen Zone, distorting time and gravity differently on each side. In this world, one day in the Aurora Zone equals one year in the Evergreen Zone. The barren Evergreen – with abandoned dilapidated buildings as makeshift homes, reminiscent of post-apocalyptic scenes from Mad Max – suffers from severe shortages of clean air, essentials, food and medicine. To combat the low gravity in Evergreen, residents wear heavy ankle bracelets to keep them grounded, lest they float away.
In contrast, the Aurora Zone boasts clean air with futuristic, high-rise architecture. This distinct difference sets the stage for the film's exploration of societal divides and human resilience.
The film's visual aesthetics are striking, with the Wall of Gravity depicted as a swirling, dark ominous force that emphasises the film's fantastical elements. The cinematography on the stark contrasts between the two zones are cleverly captured with the use of colour palettes that reflect the emotional tone of each environment. The Aurora Zone is bright and sterile, while the Evergreen Zone is muted and grim, immersing the audience in the characters' realities.
Ann-Jean (Yuen), a trainee doctor and member of the White Doves from the Aurora Zone (akin to Doctors Without Borders), operates in secrecy at a makeshift medical outpost in the Evergreen Zone. Travel between the two zones is banned, and the White Dove medical team is smuggled in by boat. Crossing through the Wall of Gravity is perilous and can only be attempted at dawn through small gaps in the swirling wall, often causing novice travellers to experience nausea, vomiting, and burns from extreme heat and radiation.
During one of her weekly visits to the Evergreen Zone, Ann-Jean encounters an injured Tato (Hsu), a thirteen-year-old petty thief who falls in love with her at first sight. Smitten and eager to be closer to her, he decides to join the White Doves, accompanied by his younger brother, Mato (Tan). From this point on, the film takes on a softer tone, allowing audiences to appreciate the slow cultivation of romance between Ann-Jean and Tato as he matures, aging a year in Evergreen while only experiencing a day in the Aurora timeline. We witness the blossoming relationship and Tato's growth from a naive boy into a young man, all while navigating the perils of their reality. Their love is put to the test by separation and the looming storm that threatens travel between the two worlds. Desperately missing Ann-Jean, Tato makes a visit to Aurora, hoping she will return with him to Evergreen. Ann-Jean faces a difficult choice: to return to Evergreen with Tato or to stay in Aurora to complete her medical training at the end of 30 days.
Faced with the forces of nature, gravity, and time, can the star-crossed lovers defy their fate of separation for love?
There is much to appreciate in Measure In Love as the film explores human connection amidst chaos and allow the audience to reflect on the power of love to transcend boundaries, both physical and emotional. Stunning visuals, compelling storyline of love against all odds, and strong performances from both leads will resonate with fans of fantasy romance – especially Hsu because his portrayal of Tato requires a broader emotional range and depth as he evolves from youthful innocence and emotional complexity to a man prepared to sacrifice for love. His growth throughout the film is both believable and touching, making the audience root for his character's journey. Supporting characters like Mato add depth to the narrative, enriching the story with their performances and bringing the world to life.
Measure In Love challenges the audience to consider the nature of love, sacrifice, and the hope for a better future.
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