Make It Right (2016)

SWEET BUT NOT GREAT

This is an average BL series. One of the earlier productions, so many of the faults must be forgiven. Filled with amateur, teenage boys so the acting isn't aways up to par. But it's sweet, tender and has a nice sense of first loves that makes it better than the sum of its parts.

The story is very simple an straightforward, despite tossing in some interesting issues (that are skimmed over or forgotten quickly, unfortunately). A bunch of couples slowly realize their feelings for each other. Filled with countless innocent misunderstandings that cause far too much drama, angst and pouting/tears. Sometimes these couples are so good at expressing themselves to each other - until the writer needs them to stop communicating so they can create fake drama between the couple that could be easily resolved in 2 sentences. And it becomes the same misunderstanding over and over again, so it's tedious, repetitive and doesn't evolve as much as I would have liked.

The acting fluctuates from horrible, amateur moments to moments of very real, natural and moving tenderness. All the boys do better once they get over the set-up (where their characters act OUT of character) and past the fake drama (that is so forced by the writer that even a great actor would have trouble being convincing) and start to fall in love. They can each convey their feelings with just a glance when they are allowed to. They all have some sweetness and naivete that is truly charming. and makes you like them despite their characters not being fully developed.

But the writing and direction are terrible. The simple story could have been told in half as many episodes, so it feels like the writer is dragging things out, rehashing old feelings, and going over the same territory repeatedly. The direction, like many early Bl series opts for those ultra-long held gazes, where the actors are forced to stare at each other for 45 seconds for absolutely no reason than to create atmosphere and emotion where there would be none. The poor actors are not up to the task, and this is where they and the series suffers the most. The characters do not evolve in a realistic fashion. One minute they are in love, the next denying it, the next confused, the next in love. Some of this is expected in for a teen who is just discovering their sexuality, but once you declare your undying love for your boyfriend, I don't buy you going out with your girlfriend or hooking up with some random stranger. If you're still going to fluctuate - then don't declare your love. You can say, "I've never been happier, but it's all still so confusing. " Easy. But not, "You're the only one for me... until tomorrow when that girl I don't really like, who cheated on me in Episode 1, calls me up again."

The series also suffers from a lack of focus. Is it light-hearted, romantic fluff or more serious, adult-themed? Bringing up issues like online hook-ups, non-consensual sex, societal taboos, etc and then just dropping them without a full examination is lazy and potentially harmful fo the target audience. For the most part it wants to be sweet, but then , unlike most BL series actual intercourse is implied, discussed and even has harmful consequences. (I really wish the writers would talk to gay men who have engaged in intercourse so they would get the details right)

Not sure if I'm missing something, but very little seems resolved at the end of the season. The final conflict between Tee and Fuse is so minor I'm not sure why it becomes the biggest and most emotional sequence, and its resolution is so unsatisfying. Other stories are just dropped or left unresolved as well. Maybe they knew they were filming a second season and wanted cliffhangers, but none of it felt fully realized.

I would watch again for the cute, tender moments and just to see these sweet, adorable boys again. But for now, I'm moving directly to the sequel to see how they handle the next evolution of each of these couples.

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