I felt like I missed something important in this Chinese coming of age drama.

This seems to be a story of young high school seniors finding their way in life and learning the consequences of conforming or not. Zhuang (Hanyu Fu) is a bit of a goofball dreamer, too worried about helping others. He is drawn to the perennially morose Meng (Jijun Miao) when he catches her firing a stolen starter pistol. Then a lot happens – grades fall, track teams are joined, parents are upset, a red plastic bag floats. 

It’s possible Director Youija Qu is telling a story about Zhuang’s liking for Meng but she’s as opaque as a wall and so it’s hard to understand what anyone is thinking or feeling. There are also themes of parental / academic / cultural expectations that are the opposite of individuality and freedom that perhaps can be transcended with a strong sense of self. Zhuang seems to have this – yay for the dreamers – and you get the feeling he’s going to be okay.