Watch Summer's Tail

Summer's Tail is a Taiwanese coming-of-age drama released in 2007. The film was directed by Cheng Wen-tang and stars Ray Chang, Dean Fujioka, Enno Cheng, and Teng-Hui Huang. The film tells the story of two brothers, Wen-zhang (Ray Chang) and Wen-pin (Dean Fujioka), who grew up in a small coastal town in southern Taiwan. Wen-zhang is the older of the two and he spends most of his time surfing, working odd jobs, and chasing girls. Wen-pin, on the other hand, is quiet and introspective, spending his time reading and taking photographs.

The story unfolds over the course of one summer, as Wen-zhang and Wen-pin navigate their complicated relationships with each other, their friends, and their respective love interests. Wen-zhang is drawn to a carefree and adventurous girl named Yi-chen (Enno Cheng), while Wen-pin develops a crush on a quiet and mysterious girl named Cai-ling (Teng-Hui Huang).

As the summer progresses, the brothers find themselves facing a series of challenges that test their friendship and their sense of identity. Wen-zhang struggles to balance his desire for freedom and adventure with his duties as an older brother, while Wen-pin becomes increasingly frustrated with his own introverted nature.

The film is beautifully shot, with vivid scenes of the Taiwanese coastline and the surf culture that thrives there. The surfing scenes, in particular, are breathtaking and capture the excitement and joy of riding the waves.

The performances by the cast are all excellent, particularly Ray Chang as Wen-zhang. He brings a sense of youthful energy and charisma to the role, while also conveying the deeper anxieties and insecurities that lie beneath the surface.

Enno Cheng is also impressive as Yi-chen, the free-spirited girl who captures Wen-zhang's heart. She brings a sense of playfulness and spontaneity to the character, but also reveals a deeper emotional complexity as the film progresses.

Dean Fujioka is effective as Wen-pin, conveying the character's introspective nature and inner turmoil. Teng-Hui Huang is also strong as Cai-ling, the enigmatic girl who captures Wen-pin's attention.

Overall, Summer's Tail is a moving and beautifully crafted film that captures the complexities of youth and the search for identity. The film's themes of friendship, love, and growing up are universal, but the specific setting and cultural context give the film a unique flavor that sets it apart.

The film is not without its flaws. At times, it feels a bit slow-paced and meandering, and some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out more fully. But these are minor quibbles in the grand scheme of things.

In the end, Summer's Tail is a heartfelt and poignant film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. It is a testament to the talent of the cast and crew, and a wonderful example of the power of cinema to capture the human experience.