The premiere of "Flowers" was held at the Peace Hotel in Shanghai, which was a big deal. Think about it, a TV series can have its premiere in such a luxurious place, which is rare in the industry. This not only shows the confidence of the producer, but also shows the trust in Wong Kar-wai, a great director. But don't forget, high expectations often come with high risks. Although the premiere was full of pomp and attracted countless eyeballs, it was also like a hype bubble, and once the series itself failed, the bubble would burst in an instant. And according to the feedback after the broadcast, it seems that this bubble is really about to burst. "Flowers" has received a flood of bad reviews when it starts broadcasting! The color is dark, the plot is dragging and greasy, and Hu Ge can't save Wong Kar-wai.
When it comes to the goose factory, they really made a lot of money. The advertising placement of "Flowers" has set a record, which shows how much attention the goose factory attaches to this drama. But, then again, no amount of advertising investment can save bad content. The ratings were really good at the beginning, after all, everyone was full of curiosity about Wong Kar-wai's TV series debut, but curiosity is curiosity, if the series itself is not good, the audience's patience is limited. The ratings of the numbers game can only tell that it was popular at first, but there is no guarantee that it will continue to be popular. In fact, as the plot deepened, the audience's complaints began to outweigh the high ratings.
The most unbearable thing is the rhythm of "Flowers". The film director's transition to a TV series was a challenge in itself, but Wong Kar-wai didn't seem to fit well. The audience unanimously complained that the plot was procrastinated and disorganized, and they couldn't watch it at all. It's not art, it's simply torturous. There's a saying in Hollywood: "Time is money", but watching "Flowers", you will feel like time is being wasted. The plot drags on not only wastes the audience's time, but also the talent of those excellent actors. Such a rhythm is undoubtedly a huge blow to the audience who are looking forward to a wonderful plot.
When it comes to the background of "Flowers", this is really a big problem. The plot is set in Shanghai in the 90s, and it stands to reason that it should be modernized. But the style in the play makes people feel like they have returned to the Republic of China era. Isn't this a paradox? The audience watches the show to enjoy the story, not to guess what era it is. This kind of confusing background setting is undoubtedly a huge challenge for audiences who pursue a sense of story substitution. Mainland audiences generally like plots close to life, and this style does not fit, obviously because the production team misestimated the audience's taste.
Another big problem with "Flowers" is that the graphics are too dark. What is the show trying to express?Art in the dark?But for the average viewer, such a picture will only make people feel tired. A good TV series should be easy for the audience to watch, rather than making people struggle with their eyes. Add to that the fast and slow shots, and the whole viewing experience is like a roller coaster. Cinematic texture is important, but what's the use of it at the expense of the audience's comfort?
When it comes to the plot of "Flowers", it is really floating in the sky. Modern audiences like down-to-earth stories, but this drama gives people a fluttering feeling. The gods chattered, and I didn't know what I was talking about after watching it for a long time. In recent years, realistic dramas like "The World" and "The Long Season" have become popular because they are close to life and easy to resonate with. And the plot of "Flowers", which deviates from reality and floats, obviously failed to capture the hearts of the audience. A good plot doesn't rely on empty blank spaces, but needs a real story and emotion.
In "Flowers", the appearance of each character is like acting. Either shoot up or down, one will be virtual and the other will be real, and the audience's head will be big. This kind of shooting technique makes people feel too artificial, not natural at all. The audience likes characters that they can empathize with, rather than watching a soulless theatrical performance. This deliberate exaggeration not only failed to increase the attractiveness of the series, but made people feel farther and farther away from the characters. It's like watching puppets perform, lacking that touching sense of realism.
Although the picture texture of "Flowers" is good, there is no good plot support, and these are all in vain. The audience watches TV dramas for the story, and if the story is not even told clearly, no matter how good the picture is, it will be in vain. It's like an empty shell with a shiny exterior and nothing inside. Without a core storyline, the whole show seems fragmented, and the audience can't invest in it at all. It's not art, it's a waste of the viewer's time and feelings. A good TV series should be story-driven, not just visually appealing.
Hu Ge, as the "top male god" in the TV industry, performed well in "Flowers", but his efforts alone obviously can't save this drama. No matter how good a person's acting skills are, they can't withstand the bad plot and production. The audience's expectations for Hu Ge are very high, but even he is difficult to recover the decline of "Flowers". This is not only Hu Ge's problem, but also a place for the entire production team to reflect. The success of a drama does not only depend on the aura of a star, but also requires a solid plot and excellent production. "Flowers" clearly does not do a good enough job in these areas.