The Story of 90 Coins (2015) User Reviews

Honest Review of 'The Story of 90 Coins'

[cmtrisket · 7/10 · 28 August 2017]

Title: The Story of 90 Coins

Director: Michael Wong

Genre: Short, Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Leads: Jose Acosta, Dongjun Han, Zhuang Zhiqi

OK, this will be my first time doing something of this nature. I was contacted by the director of this short film, Michael Wong, to watch and review his film. I graciously have accepted.

On to the specifics! The short film is 10 minutes in duration. It is a Chinese film directed by Michael Wong. This is seemingly his first film, made for entertainment. This film in particular has picked up over 30 different recognition's, at film festivals world wide. I will have them listed at the end if you care to browse through them. 😀

Short films are created differently than full length films for many reasons. They have to be able to grab the audience quickly all while presenting as much information as they can to build up the story. I personally feel like short films never can do any justice, because you can clearly tell there is a full story inside waiting to come alive. That being said, for many reasons, most short films never get made in to feature films, and you are left wondering what if.

In this short film Wan Yuyang (Han Dongjun) is in love with Chen Wen (Zhuang Zhiqi). Her feelings aren't mutual, but he wants her to give him a chance. He proposes a 90 day period for him to change her mind. He will give her a coin each day for 90 days, totaling $9.00. If at the end of the 90 days she does not feel the same way about him they will buy drinks where they first met and say goodbye. They see each other everyday except one, and each day she receives a coin in a folded paper container. Along the way Chen Wen is advancing in her career as a fashion designer, and seemingly has to choose her career or possible love. The whole film is based on the motto "Don't let a promise become just a beautiful memory." What will she decide? Go see for yourself in the link below!

In the short 10 minutes of this film you are presented with a ton on information. You don't have enough time to really build any relationship with the characters but you do have time to engulf yourself in the beautiful story. At times it seems a bit scattered and confusing, but I'll chalk that up to a complex story being compressed. The story is mostly narrated by what seems to be both characters own conscience's so you don't see the actors speaking through out. There are English subtitles, and that is what I had to go off of. I watched this film three times over to make sure I captured the story, the lines, and the video.

The cinematography and photo editing in this film is stunning. I mean wonderful! The shots are tasteful, and classy. The cuts and transitions are as smooth as can be. Everything in that regard is top notch.

Since this was a requested review I want to give you, my readers the option to watch this film yourself to see what I mean. You can watch the film on Vimeo here!

Does this short film have what it takes to be a full length movie? I would say yes. Will it ever become one? Probably not, based on many factors. Who should watch this short? Everyone! If it were a full length movie who would want to see it? Adult couples on date night. What would you rate this short film? I would rate this short film a 7/10.

Romance Lives!

[Blue-Grotto · 8/10 · 13 November 2016]

Modern society has placed women and men on more equal footing when it comes to career choices, romance and living locations.

This is both wonderful and awful at the same time. Awful because it is so hard for a loving couple to stay together when there are so many choices and there is adventure and opportunity at every turn. Wonderful because this heightened romance, equality and joy is possible. This insightful and lovely film explores this possibility.

"Woman cannot take advantage of these preliminary reforms (in society), until she herself shall have undergone a still mightier change (within); in which, perhaps, the ethereal essence, wherein she has her truest life, will be found to have evaporated." Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Scarlet Letter

Amazing love story lesson

[trish-42916 · 8/10 · 2 March 2017]

This was a great love story which ended up being a lesson for us all. Even thought I had to read it because of the language, I could still feel the feelings they were feeling. The actors were very convincing. It was very well set up and performed. Would love to see any sequels to it.

The Story of 90 Coins is the type of short you want to see become a full-length feature.

[Amari-Sali · 9/10 · 19 August 2017]

Disclaimer: I was given a link by Director Michael Wong to see this movie.

Summary

What we are presented with is a love story. One which is supposed to feature a 90-day commitment to convince a young woman, Chen Wen (Zhuang Zhiqi), an aspiring fashion designer, to marry Wang YuYang (Han Dongjun). Over this period of time, he tries to woo her, show her that he is dependable and can be consistent. Yet, they are both young. Both with dreams of how to have autonomy and yet also be with one another. Two things which clash and leave you to wonder, how strong is their love?

Highlights

It's So Simple Yet so Beautiful

It is with a heavy heart and tears welling in my eyes that I write this. For I've been put on a bit of an emotional ride. One in which I've seen the beauty and cuteness of new love mixed with the fears of seeing it threatened by outside forces. I even found myself re- watching this, due to the short run-time, and what were once tears just circling my eyes dropped off my eyelashes and went down my cheeks.

Which I know sounds a bit over dramatic, but Zhuang Zhiqi does something different than most protagonist. There isn't this grab you by the heart and then she squeezes so you can understand her pain type of performance. Instead, we are presented with this rather this weird sensation.

I think the best way I can put it is that Chen Wen's emotions melt into you. Her joy becomes your joy and you find yourself with a dopey smile and a quickened heartbeat. Then, no sooner than those feelings have become one with you, the worry and fear of separation comes in. Tears begin to stream down your face and you find yourself questioning this: Are these emotions a reaction to what is happening to Chen Wen or has Zhuang Zhiqi connected with you on such a level that she has made Chen Wen's emotions your own?

Something which, I can't say another actress or script, has led me to feel in quite a long time.

Overall: Positive (Worth Seeing) - Recommended

I want a full-length film. This, for me, seemed almost like a super cut. Something to pique your palate for more and to entice investors. Thus forcing you to watch this over and over again because there is this hope you missed something. That maybe you accidentally pressed a button and fast forwarded through the film. Because when it is over, it leaves you with this insatiable crave for more.

To the point you'll likely, as I did, go through Director Michael Wong's Vimeo page hoping there is something else like The Story of 90 Coins on there. Hence the Positive label followed by the recommendation.

I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the romance genre

[lasreviews · 8/10 · 19 May 2019]

Young love is beautiful, but it can also be unstable.

The Story of 90 Coins explored the lives of Chen Wen and Wang Yu Yang, the man who wanted to marry her. At the beginning of this short film, Wang convinced Chen to continue dating him for ninety more days after hearing how hesitant she was to get engaged to him. He agreed to give her one coin every day. At the end of the trial period, they'd either use those coins to pay for a marriage license or buy drinks together and then part ways forever.

Their relationship was trimmed down to the bare essentials of what we needed to know which was a great choice for this film. It was interesting to see these highlights and fill in the gaps with my own theories about what might have happened between scenes.

The audience did see these characters going on creative dates, cuddling, and doing other ordinary but quite sweet things together. I loved seeing them interact. Even though we knew almost nothing about their backstories, they both seemed to be gentle, wholesome people who were well-suited for each other.

There wasn't a lot of time to go into why Chen was unsure about his proposal because the run time for everything was less than ten minutes. This was one of the few things I would have changed about it. Wang was handsome, kind, and empathetic. Honestly, he seemed like the perfect boyfriend to me, so I struggled to come up with any rational reasons why she'd turn him down other than the fact that they both seemed to be pretty young.

With that being said, I loved the romance. These characters really sold me on the idea that they were a good match for each other, and I couldn't help but to root for them even when life circumstances seemed to be tearing them apart.

Do be sure to pay close attention to the English subtitles for this film if you don't speak Chinese. There were a couple of important plot points that happened so quickly I would have missed them if I'd glanced away from the screen.

I'm glad I watched The Story of 90 Coins, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the romance genre.

Simple story, Gorgeous visuals

[LifeintheDark-1321 · 7/10 · 26 July 2021]

The Story of 90 Coins is made for those who have loved and lost. The story is simple but what elevates this short film is the aesthetic quality of its cinematography. Colour grading is crisp and beautifully balanced. The liberal use of shallow depth of field creating bokeh effects greatly enhances the romantic mood to showcase the pair of attractive lead actors. Who knew heartbreak could look this beautiful?

The gorgeous visuals also add an element of wishfulness to the narrative. Much of what we see comprises of flashbacks. Memories of a lost love and missed opportunities are invariably tinged with melancholy and sentimentality, which is why I think this style of filming works best in this instance. Kudos to the director, DoP and team.

Well filmed but I think I see this differently than the director

[cherold · 5/10 · 26 October 2016]

This movie is very well filmed with good cinematography and appealing actors, but I'm not sure what the director intended, and my best guess as to his intention is one I disagree with.

In the movie, a guy proposes to a girl, she says no, and he asks for 90 days to win her over. So they meet every day for 90 days and he gives her a coin and apparently keeps a diary or something (which isn't clear until later when she reads it).

After 90 days she agrees to marry him, although they don't actually marry. But there is friction and he is jealous, which doesn't seem reasonable from what is seen in the movie. She decides to go off for a career opportunity in Paris, and she doesn't hear from him again.

She then comes across the coins and the diary, which describes each day and is very romantic and loving. And she cries because it's all gone.

And that's fine, because you would cry in that case. But my reading is that the director thinks she should have stayed with the guy, and is crying because she didn't. And since the world is full of men who are romantic in the beginning and then become jealous or neglectful later on, I don't think she made a mistake. I think it was good she got out.

Of course, the director could intend that too. She could be crying simply because, even though she had to leave, it's sad to have lost that romantic guy when he turned into that jealous guy. And if that's what the director meant, then I can appreciate the movie a little more.

But either way, I was never quite vibing with this movie. The 90-coins idea seemed weird to begin with, the movie didn't really make a case for her staying with him until the end when we saw the flashbacks and heard the diary entries, and the characters are very generic (although admittedly it's hard to delve much into personality in a 10-minute film).

This movie wanted to take me on an emotional journey, but it just never persuaded me to get on the train.

Beautifully devastating

[Oberrated · 9/10 · 2 September 2017]

Michael Wong delivers a short film that hits you right in the feels. With such a limited time to deliver a story so impactful as this one, it is truly quite marvelous. The emotion felt within the last five minutes of this short is heart-wrenching and is something that many people may connect with around the world.

In my opinion, I think this is a story that could be stretched to a feature film length and I would pay money to see it.

A Great Looking Romance with a servicable story

[asianfilmfanatic · 7/10 · 26 May 2022]

As a disclaimer, I will admit I was asked by the Director for a review and that does in some way contribute to a little bias but I try not to be. I want to give my honest opinion. As a reviewer, I've often imagined myself not taking requests but this time I had the time to at least make a written review.

The Story of 90 Coins, I will say it was well shot, directed, edited, good cinematography, actors were alright, music was fine, story was okay. If I were to breakdown, Directing: 8/10 Editing: 8/10 Cinematography: 8/10 Music: 7/10 Acting: 7/10 Story: 6/10 Overall, it's not really my type of movie but mathematically that adds up to 7/10, which is about right for how I feel about it.

But I've some nitpicks let me see if I can describe: (SPOILERS AHEAD) The story concept of 90 days, the boyfriend's promise to the girlfriend is good. I think it's a sweet setup for the man to make these coin note promises to the woman. The actors are kind of generic pretty faces but they do their job. Some of the lines are good, some lines are kind of hokey, like the dialogue/translation of the boyfriend saying he doesn't want other men to be good to her. It's a really difficult thing to write a delicate balance of conflict between the man and woman and trying to not make one unlikable or too selfish. I'm not sure if 90 Coins' protagonists entirely succeeded but they don't totally fail either.

The foreigner jealousy breakup angle was a little hokey. Adding in a white person in an Asian movie instantly adds hokiness. I know this storytelling is tough stuff to create, also as a short. Sometimes I'd be disoriented to the flashbacks at the end, when the boyfriend calls her on the 90th day, it's implied it's the 90th day, she said yes to marry him he's happy. But then sad, implying it's not the 90th day but after the breakup.

Here's just my own creative story suggestion, at the end when he calls her, she says "I do" it would have been better for him to fly to Paris, and chase her down and propose in person and hug at the end (in the rain cliche, lol). This is a romance, it is little on the melodramatic side, even though Movies don't always need to be so melodramatic. Still, if it's just a phone call, it's less impact. Maybe it's not in the time and budget for such extravagance but I think if they are going to propose and say "I do" it should be done face to face in close proximity rather than just a phone call. Or perhaps a story reworking end involving a final undelivered coin, since the coins are like a symbol of his love. These sort of romances should be a dance of tension of chasing, missing, meeting feelings for each other, proving love. I think.

Overall it has great production values just the story/script may have needed some more polishing.

All too contrived and over the top

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 31 October 2016]

"The Story of 90 Coins" is a 9.5-minute live action short film from China that received a solid deal of awards recognition recently. It was directed by Michael Wong and written by Bai Xuedan and unless you are fluent in Chinese, you will need subtitles for this one. It is the story of a couple who apparently go through a rough time, but I cannot say that I felt it was too authentic. Or authentic at all. The filmmaker's ambition to come up with something artistically relevant was clearly visible from start to finish, but the execution felt pretty poor to me. Because the story and many other aspects, especially the schmaltzy dialogues, had very little to do with realism and authentic story-telling. The fact that the entire thing is in voice-overs is not helping either, but yeah the main problem here is what the two say. Also the story did not really make any sense and it felt all just for the dramatic sake of it just like the over-emotional ending or the constant mention of Paris as the most desirable place to be. I would not say it is a failure taking into account that the duo who made this film had not any movie-making experience previously, but I wish that for future projects, they will go a bit more for convincing subtlety.

The best short film I've ever seen.

[wmovie-56340 · 10/10 · 10 January 2021]

A very beautiful, very sad story. I've seen it several times, but it makes me smile and cry for a short time of 10 minutes.

Poignant and emotional, a tale of promises.

[EgaBog · 7/10 · 15 October 2017]

It is always kind of magic to see a short film so well made, even though it is not uncommon. Still, seeing photography and music as competent as beautiful is a pleasure that will never be taken for granted. Ilustrating a tale about a passionate couple and their often conflicting desires, sound and image make the brief, but profound story, much more engaging.

In only 9 minutes, "The Story of 90 Coins" explores months, maybe years of a couple. At first, they are gloomy. He is so in love with her that he wants to forget the world and marry her. She, on the other side of the coin, is not on the same page, but also not completely closed to the idea. Out of this bittersweet disagreement, something unique is born. For 90 days, each day, he will give her a coin. If she wants to marry him by the end of it, they will use the money for the marriage certificate; if not, they will use it to buy a couple of drinks and say goodbye.

An interesting premise, indeed, and a very well told one, too. Between well conceived organic flashbacks, the story moves forward while remembering the past always. They are together and living their everyday lives, but their shared story is still there as an ever present ghost. At first as something nostalgic, the base of their love, and later as a haunting sting from the past, one that reminds of tragedy and unhappiness.

Also ever present is the narration. This is never a problem, for it does not over-expose anything or interferes with the visual narrative. For this exact reason, I never thought I would complain about exposition in a film that avoids it so well for the greatest part of its duration. If not for a title card, it would have avoided it entirely.

This is one example of movie that has its achievements stained by one single scene, one unfortunate enough to be at the ending. Being there, it projects meaning and purpose to everything that came before. Sadly, the title card is not only cheap exposition following a very well crafted narrative, but also a moralist, simple conclusion to a good story. After being surprised more than once, I finished "The Story of 90 Coins" mildly disappointed.

Inconsistently Overdone and Preachy

[SquigglyCrunch · 3/10 · 26 October 2016]

The Story of 90 Coins is a short film that follows a man who claims that he can make a woman fall in love with him in 90 days.

The story itself was kind of well-presented. There were some story elements that I liked, and others that were just plain stupid, and there were a couple that were just predictable.

The short was very over-the-top, usually, to the point where it was often cringe-inducing. What makes the overdone-ness worse is that it is isn't always overdone, so when these scenes pop up it looks and sounds like something out of some weird Japanese anime, only with real people, so it doesn't work really at all.

Something that really bothered me was the message at the end. Not that the message of the film was bad or anything (I could care less about the message), but more that it just blatantly tells you what it's trying to say in some pretentious way, which makes it even more pretentious. I don't know how other people feel about this, but I hate preachy movies that tell me what to think or how I should feel about certain things. This is probably the most blatantly preachy film I've ever seen, considering it tells you what it's trying to say at the end in text, despite how incredibly obvious it actually was anyway.

Overall The Story of 90 Coins is kind of really dumb. The writing, acting, and story presentation are all inconsistently overdone to the point of cringe, but the story itself has some good elements to it, yet it suffers again from being overly preachy. In the end I wouldn't recommend this short film.

I thought it was excellent!

[huggibear · 8/10 · 13 June 2017]

It was a sweet, romantic drama short film with good acting and some really nice authentic and raw dramatic emotion. It was done very well. What a clever way to try to win a woman over! We all need a lot of relationship schooling in terms of how to get someone on your side and keep them on your side. Relationships are establish using a team philosophy. If you're not thinking of becoming a team, then you are not thinking about evolving into a relationship. We must maintain our focus upon strengthening our team relationships in whatever ways it may take. The only downside to this film was the subtitles. The translation viewing was sometimes too fast to read in English. Otherwise, a definitive 8 Stars for me! What can I say, other than that I am a sucker for sappy films!

Well done with echoes of Kar-Wai Wong & O.Henry

[george.schmidt · 8/10 · 28 August 2017]

THE STORY OF 90 COINS (2015) ***

Well conceived short film in which simplicity is the key - a young couple in love ( Dongjun Han & Zhuang Zhiqi ) hatch a plan over 90 days where they exchange a coin a day (and an unspoken wish or act of love) to forge a relationship despite her aspirations as a fashion designer involving a possible other love interest much to his chagrin. Lovely cinematography and a non-rushed narrative drive this focused and poignant fable with echoes of Kar-Wai Wong & O.Henry. Worthy to seek out.

A heartfelt short film

[eddie_baggins · 7/10 · 16 August 2017]

Despite running a mere 9 minutes, Beijing based filmmaker Michael Wong jams packs a lot into his award winning short film The Story of 90 Coins.

Filmed in China, 90 Coins is a visually striking story of young lovers Wang Yuyang and Chen Wen as the two make a promise to over 90 days share 90 coins that symbolise their love together with attached stories, only for the two to realise that sometimes to reach your dreams, you must break your promises.

Wong's beautifully shot film quickly captures the essence of what it means to be blindly in love and then have the world all of sudden makes itself apparent to you again and with a touching score by An Wei and impressive lead turns from Dongjun Han and Zhuang Zhiqi, 90 Coins is far more accomplished than many of its other higher profile feature length films that try hard and often fail to engage on an emotionally resonate level.

With technology ever improving from cameras through to editing programs, 90 Coins is but further proof that budding filmmakers now have more tools at their disposal than ever before to create and bring to life their artistic visions and based on this effort that bagged the Best Foreign Short & Best Actress at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards and also the Rising Star Awards at Canada International Film Festival, it's likely that we haven't seen the last of Wong as his career grows and develops into the future.

Final Say –

While slight, short and sharp, The Story of 90 Coins is a likable and neatly constructed romance with a difference and a visually striking calling card for director Michael Wong.

3 ½ coins out of 5

....this beautifully romantic film is filled with warmth, wonder and wisdom.

[lennonrod · 10/10 · 20 March 2019]

FILM REVIEWS by ROBERT JAMES O'DELL

I N D E P E N D E N T S H O W C A S E /

Short Films



I N S U P P O R T o f I N D E P E N D E N T F I L M S

03/10/19

The Story of Ninety Coins Director: Michael Wong Writer: Bai Xuedan Stars: Dongjun Han, Zhuang Zhiqi, Jose Acosta

How much is a promise worth these days? An aspiring fashion designer finds out when she has to choose between fulfilling her promise and realizing her dream.

Those of you who have followed my film page are well aware of my passion for the medium of independently made short films which my film page allowed me the opportunity to be introduced to and explore. Along the way, I have been presented the opportunity to view some full length independent films which were made off the grid and the filmmakers themselves have reached out to me and allowed me access to. Now I have been given a new and exciting opportunity by a talented Malaysian filmmaker working out of Beijing, China named Michael Wong, who has reached out to me to share his work. The culture in which this story is told is rich in folklore, beliefs and tales of ancient moral tomes passed on through generations. They seek to teach life lessons attempting to help steer the path of those being told them toward a better life. Thus is the case of "The Story Of 90 Coins". Wang Yuyang (Donjung Han) is smitten with his girlfriend, Chen Wen (Zhuang Zhiqi), an up and coming fashion designer who seems a bit more reluctant about committing herself to take their relationship to the next level. Han convinces her to give him ninety days in which he will present her with a coin a day and show her the type of man he will be for her thus convincing her their union will be one of true and unconditional love. The next ninety days prove to be the very essence of everything joyous and uplifting about falling in love. And of course, they do fall in love. But inevitably time passes and the pull of the reality around them increases in frequency and becomes a glaring force that dims the idealism of their new found love. The film questions whether idealistic happiness is strong enough to bear the burden of every day life complications. Can the promise of a lasting love overcome the elements that would crush it? Sensitively written by Bai Xuedan, heartwarmingly acted by the two attractive leads and lovingly directed by Michael Wong, this beautifully romantic film is filled with warmth, wonder and wisdom. It is a treasure to the senses with its eye pleasing lush color captured in the cinematography by Liwei Jian and its romantically rich musical score by Wei An. Its expeditious running time of just over nine minutes leaves us wishing for more. Yet the emotional grasp the film gets on you is strong and tight. It establishes a link to the young lovers which is both compelling and heartfelt. I was totally swept up in the moment and moved by the plight of Wang and Chen. The film truly brought out the hopeless romantic in me. But don't take my word for it. Watch it right here on Film Reviews by Robert James O'Dell.

The film is in Chinese with English subtitles.

Rating: 95%

The film is currently getting about 60+ accolades from international film festivals; which includes the Best Direction & Best Cinematography at Malta Int'l Short Film Festival, Best Foreign Short & Best Actress at Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, Best Drama & Best Cinematography at Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Foreign Short Film at Ukrainian International Short Film Festival, Rising Star Awards at Canada International Film Festival, an Official Finalist at London Film Awards

A Well Spent 9 Minutes

[christophershobris · 7/10 · 1 February 2019]

I discovered this film via Messenger and was contacted by the director of the film Michael Wong. So he asked me to watch and review his short film, and as always I'm a man of my word. This is a foreign film and a tragic love story. I won't spoil anything in case you're curious enough to watch it. Firstly, the acting is very well done, I can feel the genuine love the characters have for each other. The direction is good, sometimes the film felt unbalanced however, but I like the story Mr. Wong wants to tell. The conflict between the characters due to a misunderstanding make this very relatable especially to any former or current couples. If you like a solid romantic film, this one is worth checking out. 7/10

The Most Beautiful Short Film I've Ever Seen

[saintstudiosfilms · 10/10 · 5 May 2020]

Though it's only ten minutes long, this film really conveys a very powerful, emotional message. It is a sweeping romance shown through luscious cinematography perfect in form and technique. What's great about this film is it challenges having regret in life, and makes sure that its audience doesn't forget to not take things for granted. Due to its poignant tone and nature, it made me tear up a bit. Such talented filmmaking. I look forward to seeing what this director does next!

The Story Of 90 Coins is a message that will stay with you forever

[thedigipop · 6/10 · 6 May 2019]

Remember those stories that your elders used to read for you when you were a kid, which always ended with a message that you were not supposed to forget? The Story Of 90 Coins has the same feel. It looks like a story book with characters that move. It has a dreamy feel to it. Since the story is short, I will not get into the details.

If you are or ever have been in a relationship, watch this short film so that you know what mistakes not to make and why it is necessary to keep putting in the efforts for a relationship to last forever; not just for a relationship to last but for it to stay healthy - forever.

Very well done and deserving all the awards it's getting

[trinaboice · 9/10 · 2 December 2017]

The Story of 90 Coins is very well done and deserves all of the awards and accolades it has been earning. The production value and cinematography are excellent.

I would like to see something like this turned into a feature film. This director has talent and I'm looking forward to seeing more from him. Some of the scenes seemed choppy, but it was only because it was a short and not a feature film. I'd love to see Michael Wong have more time to develop a longer movie. They crying scene, however, could have been shorter.

The topic is timeless and relevant. Great job!

90 Days of Summer...

[NicolasCostoglou · 8/10 · 28 August 2017]

Director Michael Wong contacted me personally to ask me if i could write a review about his short film debut "The Story of 90 Coins", because he read some of my reviews.

Although i'm flattered by this fact, i'm not a person who get's emotionally manipulated by something like this, so i will talk about this movie objectively as always:

"The Story of 90 Coins" is a cute little romance, but without a generic "they live happily ever after"-ending. Like the title of this review suggests, i had some "500 Days of Summer"-Flashbacks while watching it.

Not because of the plot, or the look of the film, but because of the melancholic feel, and content.

Speaking about the look, technically the movie is fairly well made. It has this foggy style, which reminded me of the movie "Her" which is also a very different kind of romance movie i liked very much.

One thing that "Her" and "500 Days of Summer" have in common, is their strong use of color, to underline the feelings of the protagonist, or show the passage of time. Compared to that (which is a very high standard) this short film had the pleasant look of modern commercial, but lacked color diversity, which could help the visual storytelling.

Speaking of visual storytelling, because the movie is barely 10 Minutes long, it's understandable, and wished for, that the point of the story has to come across pretty fast. Although i'm a big fan of "show don't tell", i appreciate the compromise of saying "We show AND tell", which (like i said) works quiet well for the short running time.

But the biggest disappointment for me is that the movie hits you over the head with it's message, by spelling it out in a text at the end...

The music fits nice with the melancholic tone of the movie, but isn't that memorable.

All in all it's a cute romance movie, with a positive message (which could have been told in a less obvious way), and a pleasant look (which could have enriched the storytelling a bit more).

It's a bit of a "tear-jerker" for sure (I'm a romantic so i think i would have cried if it was 2 minutes longer ^^), but i think apart from that, everyone can enjoy it. After all, it's just 10 minutes long...so how could it waste your time anyway...?

Beautiful story, brilliant music, and a topic that does matter nowadays

[rosavalentineroseland · 7/10 · 26 August 2017]

First of all, my thanks to the director Michael Wong for sharing this short film. I wouldn't call it a love story; it's more than that. Judging from the ending, Chen had never opened the envelops when they were first handed to her; she knew that Wang was fulfilling his promise, and she kind of took it for granted. It's just like what could happen in everyone's life: Things that we think naturally happened are often those that we fail to pay enough attention to. It can be about love between lovers, or, certainly, love in a family, between friends, even between strangers. Of course, it doesn't have to involve love; for different people, the topic could be anything they relate to. The music has done a lot to the atmosphere. It gets in when necessary, and the tunes as well as the tempo and the choices of instruments change with the development of plot and emotions. I have to say, though, that there are a few parts that could have been better. The first one is, Chen was going to Paris, she has a French friend, and she even got the visa to study design there (so it's a student's visa I suppose), which means they certainly could have just spoken French. (I currently study graphic design in Paris, and as much as I know, a French would often prefer speaking their native language when they know you can understand.) Another things is, no offense but, most people would usually choose a pair of comfortable shoes when travelling, especially if they have heavy luggage and are taking an long flight (9 to 10 hours between Beijing and Paris), so personally I think it's inappropriate to portrait Chen wearing those heels when she arrived in her apartment. In general, it's indeed a beautiful work which goes deep with a small story. These are only my personal opinions, and if I get anything wrong, apologies in advance.

Gripping tale about love and memories

[ebisunoreader · 9/10 · 1 February 2021]

The Story of 90 Coins (2015) provides an in-depth view into a relationship of a young couple over the course 90 days and beyond. I am not a huge fan of standard romances, but I found the story to be extremely gripping. In addition, it is amazing how much of the storyline was conveyed in just 10 minutes. In addition, performances of the lead actors (Dongjun Han and Zhuang Zhiqi) as well as cinematography were simply spot on. We definitely need more dramas like this one!

This film may be short but it is nonetheless an engaging production created by an art-director-turned-filmmaker Michael Wong. In a lot of ways, it reminded me about Shunji Iwai's Love Letter from 1995.

Intriguing...

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 17 October 2018]

A passionate man makes a special promise of love and devotion to a girl who seems reluctant to accept it. He asks for 90 days to prove that she should marry him and within time, they fall in love. Yet after several weeks, real life takes over on romance and their relationship falls apart. So what happens next?

Director Michael Wong sent us this 9-minute film that he says is "inspired by a true story; it's a story of a promise, misunderstanding and regret." It's a well shot movie that asks us to remember the promise of love, that when things become hard we must also recall how magical it all is that we meet that one person.

While not the usual fare that we cover on this site, this was still pretty interesting. I'm trying to keep my mind open to ideas in cinema, so watching this made me ponder my own relationships and learn how to keep my promise to them.