Growing Up is Hard, But Companion Makes it Easier
Crossroad Bistro (北辙南辕) narrates the story of five women who opened a restaurant together. With each other companions, they found friendship, love, and learn how to grow up in life. In terms of the production, technical execution, performances, and music, this drama is perfect!!The script of this drama is so well written, you can see just how much the writing team put so much effort and attention into the characters. Every single character in it is written realistically, they are well-dimensioned. The characters are written so well to the point that you can relate to their action, and you unconsciously built a connection to them. I love how the writers make the characters develop and grow. I loved every single character and their personal journey arc.
The delivery of the amazing script is accompanied by stunning cinematography which makes this drama arguably one of the best adult dramas. Crossroad Bistro is directed by Feng Xiaogang, it is his drama comeback after more than a decade of not directing a drama. You can already see in the first episode how spectacular and stunning the cinematography is. Through the cinematography, you can see how high-quality production this drama is. Each shot uses soft filters and a warm and cold colour palette are used accordingly, which gives the audience a pleasant viewing experience. The angles of the scenes are also beautifully taken, each and every shot in the drama are exquisitely taken, it is a feast for the eyes!! Other than the amazing cinematography, this drama also has really beautiful authentic sets. Overall, all the shots really evoke and gives off Beijing ambience.
This drama has a simmering pace, not too slow yet not too fast. It has eventful moments but also slow moments. This drama does not have draggy problems too, the problems encountered are realistic, and the problem solving is done in a timely manner too (they do not drag it). And I also love how the drama does not specifically focus on one or two women in the middle of the drama, they still made the five women the main focus of the drama. All five women in the drama have equal screen time and their own developed storyline.
The casts of Crossroad Bistro are also well-chosen. Each actor and actresses fit in their role so perfectly, as if the characters are written for them. All of the casts' acting is a joy to watch. Even though the five girls are not 24/7 together in the drama, they still showcased really powerful chemistry between them. Everyone in this drama has great chemistry with other casts, not only with their love interest. Moving on, the music of this drama is also beautiful, the music encapsulated the essence of the story - the essence of growing up, love and friendship.
I definitely recommend this one to those who are looking for an adult drama to watch!! If you loved Dear Missy, My Best Friend Story, you will definitely love this too!!
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Life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you'd get
Crossroad Bistro is a heartwarming and frustrating, funny and sad, very beautifully shot and somewhat disjointed drama. I get the feeling that this might be semi-autobiographical, like someone has penned down some personalities that he knows in real life, and some true life stories that he have witnessed or maybe even experienced. Some scenes do not really advanced the story or make any impact to the plot, but are in the drama, as if it is an ode to someone or in memory of a better time.... This is especially so with that song that keeps playing in the background. A song that is very wistful, recollecting on the past.Crossroad Bistro isn't just one story, it is a collection of several stories. There would be a few times when you are watching this drama that you would fuss over the characters' decisions or events that happened, I would say, do not fuss over the details, instead look at the main point and moral of story that the drama is trying to tell you. From these, there is much to know and learn, as every event that happened, the storyteller is actually trying to convey an opinion on Life to us, the viewers. In some sense, this drama is like Chicken Soup for the Soul. Every event in the drama is like a mini story, each with a perspective on Life to share, a topic to let you discuss and think over. Such as are adventure seekers quite selfish? In the pursuit of adventure, the way they put their lives on the edge, is this being responsible to their families? Between personal happiness/success and being responsible to loved ones, which is more important?
I also like that it explored the love between man and woman in several different ways. We have the selfish jerk boyfriends, the devoted and loving boyfriend but the woman could not feel the spark (love) for, the love of a married couple, and a many years friendship that is quite confusing if it is an only friendship love or is there something more?
My only complaint on the drama is:- the friendships between the 5 women are a bit unrealistic? It is possible to develop very close friendship in a short time, but maybe not to the extent that is shown in drama.... To become so close, you should be seeing each other every day or every other day, but one of the FLs is quite separated from the other 4, and when they all came together to support her, that part was a tad unbelievable. Still I love the 5 women friendships, the bond that they shared.
Love the musical performances and that poetry recital (with drinks)! And the peeks into acting and entertainment circle, that was fun! Not essential to plot but gave it so much color and life. An ode to better times and friends!
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Not the best Sisterhood Drama
Completed - 2/14/2022 - 7.75 rounding up to 8.0It’s hard for me not to compare “Crossroad Bistro” with other C-dramas that focus on female friendships and their experiences in life and romance. Compared to “Remembrance of Things Past” (excellent drama) and “Delicious Romance” (fun romantic comedy), “Crossroad Bistro” pales in comparison in the female friendship. This drama is more of a slice–of-life drama and it doesn’t hook me in right away like the other two dramas.
In ROTP and DR, the female characters have been friends since high school, or even earlier. They already have a very tight bond, and know each other very well. And because they know each other so well, their dialogues are meaningful and witty. However, in “Crossroad Bistro”, two women are cousins, two are friends from high school and one is not close to either of the 4 to begin with. There isn’t enough time in the drama to show us how their friendship evolves and develops for them to trust each other and venture into a business together. It doesn’t seem very believable to me. I am not saying that they have to be friends for years, but I do want the drama to show me more of this newfound sisterhood. Additionally, the 4 business owners do not have that much interaction with each other, aside from having meals at the bistro every so often. In the other two dramas, the women made you feel like you want to be friends with them, and you want to be a part of their special group. I do not feel this way in CR.
On a positive note, the acting all around is pretty good. Individually, I like and dislike some of the ladies, and that is probably due to their acting. I actually do not know any of the female leads aside from Drolman Suijun who’s in “The Rebel Princess” but I don’t remember her. I am more familiar with their romantic partners. I am a BIG fan of Wang Yang (“Because of Love”, “The Rebel”, “You are my Hero”, “Joy of Life”). I’ve seen Yang Xu Wen “Noble Aspirations 1&2”, “The Legend of the Condor Heroes“. There are also two surprising guest appearances as wel - a climber’s wife and a doctor’s son.
As characters go, the women all have pretty different personalities and career paths. In a way, that’s good as we get to see their different life experiences and choices they make. I think I might like You Shan Shan (CEO) the most, followed by Feng Xi (Bistro Manager). Bao Xue (Actress) is cute and fun in the beginning, but I feel annoyed towards the end when she’s acting a little childish. I feel a little meh about Si Meng (housewife) and really dislike Dai Xiao Yu (PR) As for the male characters, we get three really good guys that I don’t think the women deserve (except for Feng Xi) and two jerks. This is not a drama with lovable characters.
I really enjoy the music in this drama. There are a few nice songs and also musical scenes in the drama with live music playing. I’ve never seen the musical instrument that You Shan Shan plays (not sure what it’s called) but the sounds made were beautiful. Her jam session with the other artists is one of my favorite scenes.
Other Random Observations:
1. All the women in this drama are super skinny.
2. Zheng Ye Cheng looks cool, handsome and mature here - not the pale and baby-faced idol actor.
3. We have men who look like men and not young boys.
4. I want to see more of the developing romance between Feng Xi and Zhao He Nan. Everything happens too fast. This is the romance I look forward to the most.
5. I thought the Bistro serves only Chinese food - but they have steaks and sandwiches, too?
6. They really like to eat dumplings in this drama (being set in Beijing).
7. It’s very weird that the drama shows when it’s the last time the characters appear in the drama. It could be a minor spoiler if it happens in the middle of the show. And completely unnecessary when it’s the Epilog.
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The story unfolds many complicated live situations that each went through and the support they have for each other. Sometimes, it is frustrating, sad, emotional, but overall, it is a good story. I didn't know that it touches on the pandemic as well, so it was a nice element of surprises.
The cast (both lead actresses and support actors/actresses) are pretty good as well. Most of the time, the story flows well, but I have to skip some of the music gathering scenes where I found it quite dull and did not flow well with the story compared to other scenes.
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Sometimes life is hard but it is easier with friends...
I really like this movie. The 5 main characters are the ladies and how their lives intertwined – their lives, loves, and future. You may be called it a “chick flick” but it is a heart-warming story of the power of friendship and the determination to succeed. Wang Luo Dan is great in this role as with the rest of the ladies cast. It feels like the male characters are the supporting cast in the movie, but they definitely play their part to the "T".The movie is warm and touching, as you see the determination of the ladies to push difficulties and find their place in this world. The growth of each character as they push through the mistakes, and confront the challenges to find their happiness. Definitely, a movie that is worth watching.
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