CAST: Chen Feiyu, Luo Yichun, Sun Tianyu, Zhao Xiaotang

DIRECTOR: Lin Hsiao Chien

“Yesterday Once More” is a time-travel romance that occasionally becomes quite intricate, perhaps in an effort to conceal any potential inconsistencies in the plot. Nevertheless, the performances within this drama are captivating. The film also provides valuable insights into the interplay between fate and the freedom to choose.

Helmed by director Lin Hsiao Chien (also known as Gavin Lin) and penned by Xu Yi, “Yesterday Once More” belongs to the category of sincere romantic dramas, likely to resonate with viewers who believe in the concept of soulmates and love’s capacity to transcend time. The movie incorporates elements of science fiction, necessitating the viewer’s willingness to suspend disbelief for significant portions of the narrative.

Set in unnamed Chinese cities, “Yesterday Once More” commences with the voice of the adult narrator, Gu Yuxuan (portrayed by Chen Feiyu, also known as Arthur Chen), posing the question, “If you had the chance to travel back in time, what would you do?” The scene then unfolds to showcase a young Yuxuan, around 7 or 8 years old (played by Fu Bohan), standing alone in a garden. It’s here that he encounters a girl of his age, Han Shuyan (depicted by Luo Yichun), who will significantly alter the course of Yuxuan’s life.

The encounter begins with Yuxuan revealing that it’s his birthday. Shuyan responds with warmth, stating, “Let me celebrate with you.” Through their shared playfulness in the garden, they quickly form a bond. It’s during this interaction that they both discover a shared fascination with stuffed animal toys and a mutual intrigue with the concept of time travel.

However, the burgeoning friendship between these young souls is cut short. Following their initial encounter, Yuxuan discovers that Shuyan, his newfound companion from the neighborhood, has unexpectedly moved away with her family. This revelation is a profound blow to Yuxuan, as he already grapples with a sense of isolation and the haunting fear of his abusive and alcoholic father (portrayed by Yang Zihua). His father, a widower tormented by his own grief, turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Yuxuan’s mother (played briefly in a flashback scene by Sui Jin) passed away from an unnamed terminal illness during his childhood. She had crafted birthday candles for him in the past.

The narrative of “Yesterday Once More” then leaps forward by roughly 15 years. Now in his early twenties, Yuxuan has carved out a fulfilling career as a toy designer. However, despite professional success, his romantic life remains lackluster, as he has yet to find a person capable of kindling the same depth of emotion within him that Shuyan did during their momentous childhood meeting. As fate orchestrates events, Yuxuan’s path is destined to cross with Shuyan’s once more.

This significant moment takes place during the wedding celebration of Yuxuan’s closest friend and coworker, Teddy (portrayed by Sun Tianyu). Teddy has entrusted Yuxuan with the role of best man at the wedding, a gesture of their profound bond. The bride, Olivia (played by Zhao Xiaotang), is a stunning social media influencer with a massive following of 10 million users. Olivia and Teddy’s relationship embodies the “opposites attract” dynamic, as Olivia exudes a high-maintenance, image-conscious demeanor, while Teddy maintains an unassuming and laid-back disposition.

The action unfolds just before the wedding ceremony commences in a grand banquet hall. A crisis concerning the wedding cake ensues as part of the confection collapses, causing Olivia to panic. Acting swiftly, Yuxuan ventures into the kitchen and stumbles upon a friend of Olivia’s skillfully attending to the cake. Eager to assist, Yuxuan joins in, and in an unexpected turn, he realizes that the capable woman beside him is none other than Shuyan (embodied by Zhou Ye), the long-lost childhood friend who left an indelible imprint on his memory.

However, Shuyan remains oblivious to Yuxuan’s identity, leaving him too hesitant to jog her memory about their initial encounter. The wedding cake is successfully restored, ensuring Olivia and Teddy’s opulent wedding ceremony proceeds without further incident. During the subsequent reception, Yuxuan and Shuyan find themselves seated at the same table. Yet, Yuxuan’s timidity prevents him from striking up a conversation or seeking her contact details. Nonetheless, he furtively steals glances at her, realizing that his emotions for Shuyan have remained unchanged over the years.

Yuxuan’s anticipation of never encountering Shuyan again is overturned when he unexpectedly spots her on a bus. This time, fueled by determination, he resolves to jog Shuyan’s memory about their past encounter. Initiating a conversation, Yuxuan capitalizes on the familiarity they share from the wedding. Subsequently, he presents Shuyan with a unique token—a self-designed creation: a Time Machine Cat toy. This gesture triggers Shuyan’s recollection of their childhood meeting during Yuxuan’s birthday celebration.

From this point, Shuyan and Yuxuan embark on a journey of dating, love, and ultimately cohabitation. Their bond deepens to a point where Yuxuan contemplates proposing marriage to Shuyan. Despite the sincerity of their relationship, certain challenges arise, revolving around family dynamics and financial constraints.

Within Shuyan’s realm, her aspiration to establish her own bakery faces opposition from her unnamed mother (depicted by Juan Zi). Her mother deems the endeavor an unsteady and poorly compensated career choice. In contrast, Shuyan’s father (played by Liu Penggang) supports her bakery aspirations.

Meanwhile, Yuxuan’s father’s passing leaves behind substantial debts owed to a local tough character. Threatened by this individual, Yuxuan grapples with repaying the money owed. Seeking to shield Shuyan from the distressing truth, Yuxuan chooses to keep her in the dark. Simultaneously, he is dedicated to assisting her in realizing her bakery dream. Consequently, his financial quandary becomes progressively intricate, placing additional strain on his circumstances.

However, the weight of concealing this undisclosed truth, coupled with Yuxuan’s enduring grief for his father’s passing, exerts a strain on his relationship with Shuyan. Meanwhile, Teddy and Olivia are navigating their own marital troubles. Olivia’s jealousy over Teddy’s interactions with another woman fuels suspicions of infidelity, prompting a separation between the two. The fractures in their union appear to be driving Teddy and Olivia toward the brink of divorce.

Observing Yuxuan’s evident distress due to personal conflicts, Teddy advises him to seek solace from an elderly author (portrayed by Yue Yueli), renowned for crafting a children’s book titled “Yesterday Once More.” This author’s reputation for wisdom and even psychic insights leads Teddy to suggest a visit. As Yuxuan delves into the pages of “Yesterday Once More,” he observes that the book lacks a conclusive ending. The author imparts a cryptic insight to Yuxuan: “Perhaps what lies ahead was predetermined long ago.”

As the movie’s trailer has already unveiled a tragic revelation: Shuyan’s life is cut short in an accident.  This pivotal event propels the narrative into a new direction. Yuxuan becomes consumed with a mission to avert this tragedy, drawing upon the guidance of the enigmatic book author and the significance of the birthday candles gifted to him by his mother. Additionally, a significant role is played by a female counterpart (played by Wu Xuxu) to the book author, adding complexity to the unfolding tale.

“Yesterday Once More” steers clear of excessive sentimentality, offering instead poignant insights into how childhood experiences can significantly influence the dynamics of adult romantic relationships. Much like individuals raised in households impacted by addiction, Yuxuan bears a pattern of safeguarding distressing secrets at any cost, even if it means jeopardizing the most vital connections in his life. Shuyan grapples with her own struggles, stemming from the complex relationship she shares with her overbearing mother—an issue that has roots in her formative years.

Rather than positioning a “soul mate” romance as a panacea for life’s challenges, the film commendably underscores that meaningful relationships are designed to equip individuals with better coping mechanisms in the face of adversity, rather than magically vanishing those obstacles. Chen and Zhou’s portrayals of Yuxuan and Shuyan, intertwined soul mates, are both endearing and captivating. While certain plot twists might not resonate with every viewer, those who appreciate tales blending time travel and romance will find much to embrace within “Yesterday Once More.”

Streams on Viki for rent.