First time I watched this film, there was not any crush to me. I gave two stars, but now I want to add two more stars. Although it's a story happened between two students of arts, but it is not in the way that Chinese title says 'it is a romantic story'. Jesse and Zibby both grow up after these cases.
Many people can't understand that why Jesse would rather choose his professor and woman in the book shop who are both much older than Zibby. Some people think that because Jessy can't bear distance between their age—19 years. However, this is not all.
They seem to be like a couple who adore literature and arts. Letters are written to express feelings about classical music and they communicate so well. When Jesse comes back to see Zibby, he found novels about vampires lying beside Zibby's bed. He seriously argue with her that these vampire books shouldn't be read. In his mind, these books cannot be regarded as literature and persuade Zibby not to read them, which annoys her. So I believe Zibby is more like a young and romantic little girl and classic music is more like a bait to attract Jesse, a man who loves elegant literature and arts. That is the reason why Jesse chose his professor but not Zibby that night.
I appreciate Zibby since I find we have similar characteristics when we are faced with what we are truly fond of. I listen her, watch her, and feel in the same way when she told all her feelings about Jesse. A girl couldn't be brave in every moment. Only when she does feel right about someone, she can say “I feel really good about you”.
All the classic music, every comments on arts…everything in the letter are excuses for getting close to your world and can be shortened in one sentence: I miss you.
All these Zibby's lines are what I want to express.
Different from most films, they didn't come together not because subject reasons. The separateness is a happy ending for they respect each other's characteristics. What's more, finally they figured out “who I am” and “what I really love”.
You don't have to pretend yourself if you like someone. Just be the one who you are.
In the end of this review, let me tear off tag “romantic” on this film.
It should be a film about growth.
View more about Liberal Arts reviews
