Is Dear Orange Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2020, Dear Orange represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Drama, TV Movie category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into What Mei wants is a simple relationship with someone who loves her dearly. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, TV Movie are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "What Mei wants is a simple relationship with someone who loves her dearly. However, fate decides otherwise. After a failed marriage and an immoral affair with a married man, she gives up on life because of one setback after another. For the past decade, she has barely survived with her mentally disabled son, Diku, and her dementia mother. But when she bumps again into her ex-husband, Zhi-yuan, her life is no longer quiet. His glove puppetry saves her show. She feels as if she is about to get the happiness that she wants. However the success of her show has incurred her rival’s displeasure. The show is forced to be canceled. In the meantime, an accident kills Zhi-yuan, which makes her so depressed that she intends to end her miserable life. While Standing by the sea, Mei finally realizes that she has in fact got what she has been searching for. Therefore, she runs back home to try to prevent an imminent tragedy from happening."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The ensemble, led by Wu Yi-Jung, delivers a professional and engaging performance that satisfies the requirements of the Drama, TV Movie genre. While it may not reinvent the wheel, the commitment to the material is evident in every frame.

The direction by Chih-ju Lin is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its N/A minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Dear Orange truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, TV Movie, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 5/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Dear Orange explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2020 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Chih-ju Lin respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Dear Orange is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Wu Yi-Jung or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Dear Orange is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.