You are the Apple of My Eye (Movie)

Synopsis: 

This 2011 movie is a coming of age movie. The story began in 1994. Shen Chia Yi is a hardworking, intelligent student whereas Ko Ching Teng is a mischevious student. The two begin to interact when Ching Teng is caught masturbating during class and is reseated next to Shen Chia Yi. The two help each other in different ways, and Chia Yi eventually helps tutor him for exams and encourages him to study. The two experience many changes as they grow up, fall in love, get into college, fall out of love, and so forth. It was charming and wholesome in its own way, and it is a movie that definitely brings out a lot of nostalgia as you see how much the characters grow as people and the good memories that still follow them throughout life. 

Review:

I really enjoyed this movie. It was a perfect blend of comedy and seriousness. It demonstrated the lifeline of young love and the continuity of friendships that last into adulthood. It was both beautiful and wholesome, and it made me very nostalgic about how I would feel about my current friends when I am much older and moving on to a new stage in life. I did find the scene when they were "shooting handguns" [masturbating]pretty exaggerated and I was sitting there like "oh my god, what am I watching?" but I'm pretty glad that this was recommended to me. 

        It illustrated very realistic struggles that students in Asian countries often face. Their academics and college entrance exams are essential and many students are very stressed out. Shen Chia Yi is a fantastic student and extremely hardworking, but she did not do well on her admissions examinations because she felt ill (due to her period) and it affected what school she got into. It shows that tests are not necessarily a clear indicator of success or hard work; and likewise, it also showed how prioritizing on standardized examinations can lead to extreme stress and tying self-worth to their academic results. 

        It was also lovely to see how the relationship between Chia Yi and Ching Teng developed, and how they both learned a lot from each other in different ways. Ching Teng learned how to study and improve as a student while Chia Yi learned to enjoy life a bit more and loosen up. Even though their love story [spoiler alert] didn't have the standard happily ever after where they end up together, I think the fact that they separated for a while to come back to one another as friends who will always love and support one another is even more beautiful. To see the support her friends had for her in her future success and future relationship although they were all crushing on her in high school was incredibly heartwarming and an excellent example of how a healthy relationship-to-friendship transition is done. 

      I would highly recommend this movie for anyone who wants to watch something that is light-hearted, and that pulls on your heartstrings.