“挥霍却不知是挥霍，爱惜而无经验爱惜。好像河边自家的果子，
以为随时可取，可怜果子竟落水漂走。”
—— 阿城
The film opens with a shot of the Fenggui stop sign against a clear blue sky, unmistakably the work of Hou Hsiao-hsien. It introduces us to Ah Qing, Arong, and Guo Zai, fresh out of middle school, drifting without jobs or military commitments. Their days are spent in billiard halls and on the streets, often stirring trouble. A trip to Kaohsiung marks a turning point, bringing changes to their lives. Arong's sister adapts to city life in ways they don't fully grasp; Jin He is ruthlessly chasing wealth, but for whom? Ah Qing grapples with his father's absence, trapped in memories, his grief erupting even over a thrown bowl at the dinner table. Who suffers more?
Ah Qing shares meals, shops, and watches movies with Xiao Xing, yet he sends her away without a word. Arong and Guo Zai, caught up in buying tapes, face the imminent call of military service before they've had a chance to earn.
Youth in this film is a blur, a time spent mostly wandering, with growth confined to fleeting moments.
The movie contrasts the town and the city. The town, Ah Qing's hometown, is depicted as serene and enduring, its shots clean and bright, often people-less like paintings. The city, on the other hand, is a distant, colorful whirlwind, its frames bustling with activity. No matter how far one travels, life's indelible imprints remain.
朱天文小说这样结尾: 潮岸不知伸向何方。他们亦将是，其去未知。谁又不是，其去未知呢？即使经过了一个或者更多的十七岁，我们就真的能看清楚去的路吗？
After watching the film, I felt a sudden, compelling urge to capture my ongoing youth through images. My youth wasn't marked by cruelty, but by resilience; it wasn’t sensational, but filled with moments that touched the heart; it lacked dramatic twists, but was grounded in truth.
The film unfolds in lingering long shots that gently flow across the screen, each frame narrating the director's youthful days, resonating deeply with the audience. In its quietude, free from the clamor and chaos, there's a profound stillness that invites introspection, leading viewers to a reflective silence, mirroring the tranquility on the screen.
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