| Dear Ex | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Traditional Chinese | 誰先愛上他的 |
| Simplified Chinese | 谁先爱上他的 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Shéi Xiān Ài Shàng Tā De |
| Directed by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by | Lu Shih-yuan |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Lin Chih-peng |
| Edited by | Lei Chen-ching |
| Music by | DJ Didilong |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Budget | NT$35 million[1] |
| Box office | NT$65 million[2] |
Dear Ex (Chinese:誰先愛上他的;lit. 'Who Fell in Love with Him First?') is a 2018 Taiwanesedrama film directed by Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen, from a screenplay by Lu Shih-yuan and Mag Hsu. It starsRoy Chiu,Hsieh Ying-xuan, Spark Chen, and Joseph Huang. It follows a teenager becoming trapped in the middle of a bitterfeud between his willful mother and a free-spirited man, who is both the lover and insurancebeneficiary of his recently deceased father.
The film had its world premiere at the 20thFar East Film Festival on 22 April 2018, and was theatrically released in Taiwan on 2 November 2018, byWarner Bros. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was selected as the Taiwanese entry for theBest International Feature Film at the92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[3][4][5][6] At the55th Golden Horse Awards, it earned eight nominations, includingBest Feature Film andBest Leading Actor (for Chiu), and won in three categories:Best Leading Actress (for Hsieh),Best Original Film Song (for "Bali Song"), andBest Film Editing. The film also won Best Narrative Feature, Best Actor (for Chiu), Best Actress (for Hsieh), and the Press Award at the 20thTaipei Film Awards.
When San-lian's ex-husband, Zheng-yuan, passes away, she discovers he has altered hisinsurance policy, cutting out their son in favour of his male lover, Jay. Outraged, San-lian and her son, Cheng-xi, arrive at Jay’s apartment and demand that he return the money to her, but Jay refuses to oblige.
Cheng-xi does not get on very well with his mother and believes that she only cares about the insurance money. After his mother throws away his dad’s memorabilia and they get into a heated argument, he runs away and moves into Jay's apartment, and Jay has to look after him. He follows Jay around during the day, and Jay begrudgingly shows him his work as atheatre director. It is revealed in flashbacks how Jay and San-lian's ex-husband, Zheng-yuan became lovers when they worked together in the theatre but Zheng-yuan ultimately decided to pursue a relationship with San-lian to have a family. However, after he became ill, he left his family and spent his remaining time living with Jay before he passed away.
San-lian continues to visit her son to get him to go back to her house. During one visit, she bumps into Jay’s mother and finds out she does not know that he is gay. She attempts to blackmail Jay to give her the insurance money or else she will reveal the truth to his mother but this is not successful and she ultimately tells his mother anyway.
Jay is ambushed by a group of men, who break his leg. Cheng-xi and his mother help rush him to the hospital. It is revealed that Jay had previously borrowed money fromloan sharks to get Zheng-yuan a liver transplant. Despite his injury, Jay goes back to his theatre to attend his opening act and San-lian and Cheng-xi watch Jay’s play. After the performance, Jay’s mother appears and presents Jay with flowers, having accepted her son and they tearfully embrace. Later, San-lian allows Jay to keep the insurance money and Cheng-xi moves back in with his mother.
In addition,Chung Hsin-ling, who was originally cast as San-lian's sister, made a voice cameo as a radio host.[7]
Screenwriter Mag Hsu and music video director Hsu Chih-yen both made their respectivefeature directorial debuts onDear Ex.[8] The screenplay, written by Lu Shih-yuan and Mag Hsu, was based on the true story of a friend of Hsu's who found out that her husband was having an affair with a guy.[2]
Mag Hsu said about the film in a 2019 interview: "I truly believe thatDear Ex is not only anLGBT film; it involves more, all kinds of communities, a range of perspectives. This is why I feel that this film doesn't need to be labeled an LGBT film."[2]
Dear Ex had its world premiere at the 20thFar East Film Festival on 22 April 2018, where audiences praised its heartfelt storyline and snappy graphics.[8] It was screened as the opening film of the 22ndToronto Reel Asian International Film Festival on 8 November 2018, marking the first time the annual event has opened with a Taiwanese production.[9] The film was released in Taiwan on 12 November 2018, and onNetflix worldwide on 1 February 2019.[10][11]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 90% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[12]
Karen Han ofThe New York Times calledDear Ex "a remarkably affecting and cogent picture" and remarked, "At points, the film threatens to tip over intomelodrama, but the directors Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen always right the ship, balancing oversaturated flashbacks with a nuanced portrait of love that endures both trials and time."[13] Andrew Lapin ofNPR opined, "The film may pale in comparison toThe Cakemaker, which told its story with more nuance and sensory detail. ButDear Ex's narrative hiccups and tonal missteps seem less blaring by the time it enters its affecting homestretch […]. Love in this movie is expressed in odd ways, but it is still genuine."[14] Wendy Ide ofScreen Daily wrote, "This comic melodrama wrings every last drop of drama from the set up" and "The music choices and the production design compete for knowing kitsch, but there is nothing ironic about the emotional impact of the third act."[15] Joel Keller ofDecider stated, "Dear Ex has good performances and a story that should be relatable to anyone who has gone through family problems as a kid."[16] Stephen McCarty of theSouth China Morning Post commented, "Dear Ex proves to be a work of redemption, reconciliation and forgiveness […]. And at its heart, it's a love story: nothing odd about that."[17]
| Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd International Film Festival & Awards Macao | Best Film | Dear Ex | Nominated |
| Mi Ying Spirit Movie Award | Nominated | ||
| 20thTaipei Film Awards | Best Feature Film | Won | |
| Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Won | |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Won | |
| Press Award | Dear Ex | Won | |
| 55th Golden Horse Awards | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |
| Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Nominated | |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Won | |
| Best New Performer | Joseph Huang | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen | Nominated | |
| Best Original Screenplay | Lu Shih-yuan and Mag Hsu | Nominated | |
| Best Original Film Song | Lee Ying-hung (Bali Song) | Won | |
| Best Film Editing | Lei Cheng-ching | Won | |
| 10th To Ten Chinese Films Festival | Outstanding Film | Dear Ex | Won |
| Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Nominated | |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Nominated | |
| 19thChinese Film Media Awards | Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Nominated |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen | Nominated |
