Taoli jie: A Rough Look at Idealism in a Hard World

If you're in the mood for something polished, skip Taoli jie. This isn't a slick studio production. It feels heavy, a bit dusty, and deeply tired in a way that actually works for the story.

Who is this for? People who like looking at old films as historical documents, not just entertainment. If you need your pacing snappy or your lighting perfect, you are going to hate this.

The film tracks these young graduates who honestly think they can fix things. It’s a painful watch, honestly. You watch them start out with their heads in the clouds, and you can practically see the moment the weight of the world hits their shoulders. It’s not subtle.

There is a scene involving a desk and some paperwork that went on for what felt like ten minutes. I almost checked my watch, but then I noticed the way the actor's hand was shaking while he signed a document. It was a tiny detail, but it told me everything I needed to know about his character's fear.

Some of the acting feels a little stiff, like they’re reading from a pamphlet on social reform. But then you get these bursts of real, raw frustration that catch you off guard. Huaiqiu Tang has this look in his eyes during the second act that feels like he’s lived through a decade of defeat in just five minutes.

It reminded me a little bit of the messy, earnest energy in Kruzheva. Both films seem to be fighting against their own technical limitations just to get an idea across.

The corruption angle? Yeah, it’s laid on thick. Like, really thick. There were moments where I thought, "Okay, we get it, the system is rigged." But then the movie shifts and shows the internal toll it takes on their friendship. That’s where the movie actually lives.

• The dialogue is often way too on the nose.
• The lighting in the cafe scene is bizarrely dark.
• Some of the extras in the background look like they’re just waiting for a bus.
• The music choice is... loud. Very loud.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even close. But it feels like a group of people really needed to get this story out of their systems. Sometimes that’s enough to keep me watching, even when the frame goes soft or the sound dips out for a second. 🎞️

It’s flawed. It’s messy. It’s worth a look if you're feeling patient.