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Journey of Love 18+ review: Plenty to laugh and think about

Love and politics form the core of Arun D Jose's new film 'Journey of Love 18+', which released in theatres on Friday. The movie, like his previous outing 'Jo and Jo', has a generous mix of humour, some of which is truly enjoyable, though it sometimes falls short of the hilarity in 'Jo and Jo', that was a simpler tale of sibling quarrels. 

Though the treatment remains the same, 18+ essentially tries to go a little more deeper by exploring the risks of attempting to tie the knot when one is too young. Akhil (Naslen) is a Left-wing worker who is in love with the local secretary Raveendran (Manoj K U)'s daughter. Their marriage is a strict no-no since Akhil's family members were Raveendran's labourers.

Since a proper marriage is out of question, Akhil along with his cronies devise a plan for him to run away with his lover. What happens next forms the crux of the story. The makers have thrown in some interesting dialogues, party politics and small twists, which ensures the movie is engrossing.

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The events in the first half are clearly more exciting than those in the second half, which do not keep pace with the scenes prior to the interval.

The post-marriage scenario felt like it was stretched a little too long. 

The court scene, however, was a perfect balance of humour and realism, giving the viewers much to think about. There are no loud arguments, nor any heart-rending scenarios. In fact, the lawyers hardly make any arguments, yet the scenes make sense. Kudos to Arun and his team for trying to bring up an interesting matter in court.

Though Nikhila Vimal only has a guest appearance, it definitely adds to the humour. The makers have given Mathew Thomas an interesting entry and exit in the film. He does not have the usual combo scenes with Naslen, which is a refreshing change.

Manoj as the local secretary and a father to a grown-up daughter leaves an impression on the audience. Meenakshi Dhinesh, who has previously worked in films like 'Porinju Mariyam Jose' and 'Iratta', also delivers a good performance as Akhil's girlfriend. The two share a good chemistry onscreen. YouTuber Saaf Bros, who is known for his unique content, nails his role as one of Akhil's friends.

Overall, the film has a good, youthful vibe. However, it is not as free-flowing as it's predecessors of the same genre, like 'Thanneer Mathan Dinangal', among others.

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Journey Of Love 18 Movie Review: Meenakshi Dinesh, Nasleen Film Is A Sedate Elopement Excursion

Updated Sep 19, 2023, 15:29 IST

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Home » Review » Journey of Love 18+ review: A few hilarious moments and an engaging screenplay make this Naslen flick a decent one-time watch »

Journey of Love 18+ review: A few hilarious moments and an engaging screenplay make this Naslen flick a decent one-time watch

Despite its familiar template, Naslen and Meenakshi's Journey of Love 18+ succeeds in becoming a light-hearted comedy

• Raymond John

Last Updated: 10.57 PM, Jul 07, 2023

Story: Akhil, a polytechnic dropout and ardent supporter of the communist party, falls in love with Athira, daughter of a prominent Left political leader around that area. However their relationship faces opposition from Athira's family, trying to expatriate her. Determined to be together, Akhil and Athira decide to elope and get married with the help of Rajesh, who also has a history of eloping.The couple's plan is further complicated by the fact that they live in a village dominated by the party of Athira's father. With the assistance of his friends, Akhil embarks on a mission to marry Athira with numerous challenges on his path.

Review: Director Arun D Jose, of Jo and Jo fame, once again delves into the world of adolescent minds with his latest film Journey of Love 18+. While the movie maintains a light humorous tone throughout, it deals with certain serious elements like teenage love, politics, caste and elopement. Similar to his previous film, 18+ has subtle political commentary while evolving as a fun comedy-drama.

The film focuses on early love marriages, which is often viewed as unwise by conventional society. Despite following a familiar template, with the story of two youngsters from different family backgrounds falling in love and being discouraged by their families, the director succeeds in crafting the film in an engaging way.

Along with the characters, the political atmosphere of the area where they are placed is also consequential in this film. Set in North Kerala, the film highlights the influence of political parties in the daily lives of the people in the area. We can see flags and slogans of a Left party in most of its scenes. Despite its ideologies being against conventional establishments, it doesn't support Akhil and Athira's relationship.

In Jo and Jo, Arun dealt with the anxieties and confusions in the minds of youngsters during their adolescent phase and their relationships. But in 18+, the story is about how the actions and decisions of the two youngsters have an impact on the larger society.

The first half of the movie is slightly better than the latter, but the climax deserves applause as the makers chose not to appease a particular group of audience. Most of the dialogues that were intended to evoke humour work well and the actors play a huge part in making this film a fun ride. In fact, the performances save the film whenever the script has nothing new up its sleeve. Naslen, in his first outing as a solo lead, does justice to his role. Mathew, who plays a young hardcore Party acolyte, gets to carry a serious face throughout the movie, unlike his usual naivete. Though Naslen and Mathew don't share a lot of screen space, they do have a few memorable moments

The female lead Meenakshi plays her role exceptionally well, with the court scenes in the end being the standout. Safvan and Anshid, known for their content on social media content, seamlessly essay their characters that seem tailor made for them. Binu Pappu, Nikhila Vimal and Manoj KU were convincing and the part played by Rajesh Madhavan was also entertaining.

Songs by Christo Xavier sync well with the movie, which has decent visuals by Satheesh Kurup and crisp edits by Chaman Chakko.

Verdict: Journey of Love 18+ makes for a good one-time watch, thanks to its good performances and humour.

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Chinese, Korean & Hong Kong Drama Reviews

A Journey To Love Review

January 2, 2024 by Drama Addict 3 Comments

Coming to the end of 2023, A Journey To Love (一念关山) is another drama that managed to attract a large audience. It is not a title that I was keen on watching so soon after Wonderland Of Love which is another historical drama with power plays. But I gave it a go nevertheless due to all the chatter. It wasn’t particularly engaging to me in the beginning but I forced myself to continue as much as I could. So, did it get better as the story moves along? A Journey Of Love review below will provide some insights from my own perspective.

My rating: 8/10 Episodes: 40 Type: Historical Romance Aired: November 2023 Images Credit:  Douban Movie

The Cast Of A Journey To Love

• Cecilia Liu Shi Shi as Ren Ru Yi / Ren Xin
• Liu Yu Ning as Ning Yuan Zhou
• Alen Fang Yi Lun as Yu Shi San
• He Lan Dou as Princess Yang Ying
• Chen You Wei as Yuan Lu
• Wang Yi Zhe as Qian Zhao
• Li Huan as Sun Lang
• Chen Hao Yu as Chu Yue
• Chang Hua Sen as Li Tong Guang
• Ye Xiao Wei as Li Shou Ji / Prince He Dong
• Yuan Ruo Hang as Li Zhen Ye / Prince Luo Xi
• Yin Zhu Sheng as Li Zhun / An Emperor
• Chen Xiao Yun as Noble Consort Chu
• Zhang Tian Yang as Yang Xing Yuan / Wu Emperor
• Chen Du Ling as Xiao Yan / Wu Empress
• Zeng Ke Lang as Yang Xing Jian / Prince Dan Yang
• Zhang Lei as Zhang Song
• Lu Xing as Chief Secretary Du
• Maggie Huang Meng Ying as Jin Mei Niang
• Zhang Qiao Er as Liu Li
• Zhang Fan as Deng Hui

Main Characters

Ren Ru Yi / Ren Xin

Ru Yi is a low level spy for Scarlet Guards which is the intelligence outfit of the An state. Prior to that, she was an assassin with a high ranking in Scarlet Guards before she had to hide her identity. Ru Yi is a very sharp and capable killer with great martial arts skills. She is trained to carry out missions and hence, doesn’t trust others easily. Hence, she appears as cold and direct with little experience in building relationships.

Ning Yuan Zhou

Ning is the former Deputy Chief of Liudao Hall which is Wu state’s intelligence unit. He has no interest in political power plays but is a man of integrity when it comes to his Liudao Hall comrades. He is a skilled martial artist and respected leader.

Shi San was a Commandant of Liudao Hall under Ning. He is a lover of beautiful women and likes to flirt with them. Thus, he understands their wiles better than most men. While he always seems to be playful, Shi San is adept at tricks and martial arts.

Princess Yang Ying

Princess Yang Ying is the half sister of the Wu Emperor. She is a neglected princess born in the cold palace who nobody truly cares about. She is a naive and trusting young lady who hasn’t seen much of the outside world and the evilness of those around her. Princess Yang Ying has a secret boyfriend named Zheng Qing Yun who is an imperial guard in the palace.

Yuan Lu was a Commandant of Liudao Hall. He was Ling’s subordinate and they share a close bond. Yuan Lu is an 18 year old lad with a heart problem. His specialty is in coming up with useful gadgets and weapons to deal with potential enemies.

Supporting Characters

Qian zhao & sun lang.

Qian Zhao is a Commandant of Yulin Army while Sun Lang was a Commandant of Liudao Hall. Both of them have a deep hatred for Scarlet Guards as they have caused the deaths of their comrades and Wu state soldiers including Sun Lang’s own father. They are both strong martial artists and used to be Ning’s subordinates. Qian Zhao is a reserved and serious man.

Chu Yue is the tomboyish daughter of Duke Chu Yuan who is the head of the powerful Sha Xi Tribe in An state. Her aunt is the An Emperor’s consort. Chu Yue is a straightforward young girl who would not hesitate to speak her mind. She is betrothed to Tong Guang but hates him.

Li Tong Guang

Tong Guang is Marquis Chang Qing of An state. He is a very capable young man and army commander but doesn’t have the full trust of the An Emperor. Tong Guang’s mother was an An royalty but his father was an insignificant man from Wu state. He has his own agenda in An politics and he is also having a secret affair with his Emperor’s noble consort. His attendant is Zhu Yin.

Li Shou Ji / Prince He Dong & Li Zhen Ye / Prince Luo Xi

Both of these princes are the An Emperor’s sons. Prince He Dong is the eldest while Prince Luo Xi is the second son. They are not as capable as Tong Guang and thus, are always jealous of him.

Li Zhun / An Emperor

The An Emperor is a suspicious and shrewd man. He is also ambitious with a penchant for wars to expand his influence. He married Noble Consort Chu from the powerful Sha Xi Tribe to ensure their support.

Noble Consort Chu

Noble Consort Chu is Chu Yue’s paternal aunt. She is married to the An Emperor but is in love with Tong Guang with whom she is having a secret relationship.

Yang Xing Yuan / Wu Emperor

The Wu Emperor is a reckless ruler who has just lost the war with An state and is taken hostage. He has 2 younger brothers, Prince Dan Yang and Prince Ying.

Xiao Yan / Wu Empress

Xiao Yan is the Wu Empress. She is pregnant with the Wu Emperor’s baby and wants to make her child the new Emperor should her husband fails to return from An.

Yang Xing Jian / Prince Dan Yang

Prince Dan Yang is the Wu Emperor’s younger brother. He also has eyes on the throne and has little reason to want his brother’s safe return.

Zhang Song is the Prime Minister of the Wu state,. His ambition is to remain the power behind the throne.

Chief Secretary Du

Chief Secretary Du is the official selected to be part of the delegation to accompany Princess Yang Ying to An state to negotiate for the release of the Wu Emperor.

Jin Mei Niang

Jin Mei Niang is the Chief of the Jin Sha Sect. The sect is known to be an intelligence gatherer which provides information for a price.

Liu Li is Ru Yi’s former maid in Scarlet Guards and now working as a laundress in the An army camp.

Deng Hui is the new Commander of Scarlet Guards who apparently hates the female members as they caused his father’s death. He is a conflicted commander who has to serve a cruel Emperor and yet has to be loyal to protect his life and state.

Ru Yi was an assassin with the Scarlet Guards which is An state’s intelligence branch. She is thought to have died and changed her identity to remain hidden so that she can quietly investigate who killed Empress Zhao Jie of An. She rejoined Scarlet Guards as a low level spy. While on a mission together with other spies in Wu state, their identities are exposed and Ru Yi’s colleague is killed. As Ru Yi tries to escape from Wu’s officers, she gets entangled with Ning who is the former Deputy Chief of Liudao Hall which is Wu’s intelligence bureau.

At the same time, Wu has just lost a war with An and the Wu Emperor has been taken hostage. Ning is compelled to lead a delegation to An to secure the release of the Wu Emperor when his former comrades of Liudao Hall are being accused of treason for the war defeat. He ropes in Ru Yi to be part of the delegation due to her knowledge of An’s royal family and their politics. In return, he will help her with information pertaining to Empress Zhao Jie’s case.

As they travel together to An, both Ning and Ru Yi begin to fall in love with each other. Along the way, they have to ward off threats to their lives from enemies who don’t want the Wu Emperor to be released. Ru Yi also has to learn to trust Ning since they are from different states to begin with.

A Journey To Love Ending & Recap (Spoilers Alert!)

A Journey To Love has an open ending but with much sadness along the way. In the last episode, Wu and An states cooperate in the war against Beitan. While awaiting reinforcement led by Prince Dan Yang, Ning, Ru Yi, Shi San, Chu Yue, and Tong Guang are staring at defeat from Beitan’s attack on a crucial city as they are outnumbered. Tong Guang feels guilty and shameful over his incompetence which caused many of his soldiers to die. So, he makes the decision to go and kill the Beitan King without consulting the others.

Ning has to go to the battleground to save Tong Guang and is pierced by spears as a result. There is no confirmation that he died but the scene will make you presume so. Ru Yi then takes up the mission to assassinate the Beitan King and Crown Prince. She successfully does so and throws explosives in the tent which erupted in flames. The scene shows an explosion which also indicates that she would have died. With the Beitan camp in disarray and Prince Dan Yang’s arrival with reinforcement, Wu and An win the war and push Beitan soldiers back to the north.

10 years later, the scene shows Chu Yue in a grass field. A boy on a horse is riding towards her. He introduces himself as Ning Shi San and tells Chu Yue that he also has a sister named Ren Lu. As Chu Yue hugs him, she sees Ning, Ru Yi, Shi San, Yuan Lu, Qian Zhao, and Sun Lang riding happily on their horses. The scene has a hazy-like quality to it which you can interpret it to be Chu Yue’s imagination. Alternatively, it can also indicate that Ning and Ru Yi are still alive and the boy is their son.

Who Dies In The Drama?

Qian Zhao and Sun Lang die in Episode 35 after Beitan soldiers are let into the An and Wu border by the Second Prince of An, Prince Luo Xi. The prince does so out of spite for being banished by his father who thought that he killed the First Prince.

Yuan Lu dies of exhaustion in Episode 36. He was traveling non-stop for days to An state to raise the alarm that Beitan soldiers are launching an attack. He dies in Princess Yang Ying’s arms. Shi San dies in Episode 39 in the war with Beitan after ensuring Chu Yue’s safety.

When Did The Leads Get Together?

Ru Yi already identified Ning to be the man she wants to have a baby with as early as Episode 5. But this is without any emotional attachment as she is just following the late Empress Zhao Jie’s advice to have her own child but never fall in love with a man. As Ru Yi learns more about relationships and spends more time with Ning, she truly begins to develop feelings for him. Ning is also smitten by her but has to suppress his feelings due to the mission at hand.

Ru Yi is severely injured when Qian Zhao and Sun Lang attack her after finding out that she is a Scarlet Guard member in Episode 10. Ning insists on saving her against his friends’ wishes in Episode 11. She doesn’t want his help initially as she isn’t sure if she could trust him. To prove his sincerity towards her, Ning allows Ru Yi to stab him. He knows she wouldn’t have the heart to kill him in the first place. All Ning wants is to save her and for her to go on to have a happy life.

They become a couple after the incident in Episode 12 when Ru Yi saves Princess Yang Ying and returns to join Ning’s delegation to An. This time, Ning agrees to have a baby with her once everything is over. They get married with a simple ritual in Episode 37 after Ning rescued Ru Yi from being forced to marry Tong Guang.

Is There A Breakup?

Ru Yi and Ning quarrel over Tong Guang in Episode 17 as he is jealous and suspicious of Tong Guang’s motives. After they have calmed down, Ru Yi tells Ning in Episode 18 that she has second thoughts about living a secluded with him after their mission is over. Ru Yi is still interested to make use her expertise and experience while Ning is tired of the schemings and power struggles of the ruling class and wants a quiet life. Hence, they agree to rethink about what they really want for the future.

Ning and Ru Yi realize how much they mean to each other after he nearly dies in Episode 20 to save Tong Guang who is under attack. They make a promise to always be together in Episode 21 following the near death experience.

Li Tong Guang’s Background

Tong Guang is actually Ru Yi’s sole disciple. Ru Yi reveals Tong Guang’s life story to Yuan Lu in Episode 17. Tong Guang’s mother was a princess who was married to the Crown Prince of Shu. But when Shu and An became enemies, her husband tried to kill her out of spite. She was saved by a musician who was performing in Shu palace. The musician risked his life to bring her back to An and they became intimate. He subsequently died and Tong Guang’s mother didn’t know how to face her own son.

As a result, Tong Guang felt abandoned. He was also ashamed that his father was a musician. Thus, he was a problematic child. Empress Zhao Jie asked Ru Yi to guide and teach Tong Guang as she felt that they share similar traits. So, Ru Yi became Tong Guang’s master. He also ended up being very attached to Ru Yi. When she had taught him all that she knew, she left An on a mission although he wasn’t happy with her decision. He subsequently thought Ru Yi had died in the fire that killed Empress Zhao Jie.

Love Struck

6 years have past before Tong Guang meets Ru Yi again when he is sent to meet Princess Yang Ying’s delegation. However, Ru Yi denies knowing him since she is now part of the delegation from Wu. Tong Guang becomes irrational and infatuated with her. He wants Ru Yi by his side regardless of who she is. He confirms her identity in Episode 26 through several clues. Tong Guang then confesses his feelings for her but Ru Yi tells him to forget the past as she is not Ren Xin anymore. Ning scolds some sense into Tong Guang after another bout of delusional action to get Ru Yi back to his side in Episode 27.

In Episode 29, Tong Guang again expresses his desire to be with Ru Yi but gets rejected once more. But he tells Ru Yi that he is willing to wait for her although he knows that she loves Ning. He becomes conflicted in Episode 32 as he feels guilty after stabbing Ru Yi in a fight. Ru Yi has purposely pierced herself against Tong Guang’s sword. Since she is a wanted person, doing so will help to erase the An Emperor’s suspicions on Tong Guang and earn him a promotion to be a Duke.

However, Tong Guang becomes tempted to possess Ru Yi when he learns that Ning’s and Ru Yi’s inner strength are weak due to injuries. He forces Ru Yi to marry him in Episode 37 but is rescued by Ning who beats him up to teach him a lesson again. He can only watch as Ru Yi leaves together with Ning.

Chu Yue’s Relationships

The An Emperor betroths Chu Yue to Tong Guang in Episode 10. But the 2 of them don’t get along initially. After a few encounters, Chu Yue feels that Tong Guang is not that bad after all and begins to have some interest in him. In Episode 28, her father also wants her to get along with Tong Guang due to his rising powers for their tribe’s safety in the future.

However, Chu Yue sees Tong Guang and Ru Yi together in Episode 29 and becomes disappointed when he admits that he loves Ru Yi. She meets Shi San who helps her to forget her heartbreak by showing her how to have a good time. This broadens Chu Yue’s outlook about men as she becomes attracted to Shi San’s bad boy personality. So, she strikes up a friendly agreement with Tong Guang to be a fake couple as she is now interested in Shi San. But Shi San draws a line with Chu Yue when she goes to see him again in Episode 30 although he is also attracted to her. After all, she is Tong Guang’s fiancee then.

In Episode 39, Shi Shan could foresee his own death with the war with Beitan. So, he tells Chu Yue that he is someone who wouldn’t commit to one woman although she wants to be with him. Shi San dies after ensuring Chu Yue is out of the battleground when bombs start raining down on them during the war with Beitan.

Who Did Princess Yang Ying End Up With?

After killing Zheng Qing Yun who betrayed her trust, Princess Yang Ying finds Yuan Lu to be someone she can talk to. They share a happy friendship. Yuan Lu confesses to her that he has liked her all along when he is dying in Episode 36. He didn’t want to tell her previously because he is supposed to have a short life due to his heart ailment.

In Episode 37, Princess Yang Ying suggests to Tong Guang that they should get married. When she was trapped in An, she had used her status as a Wu Princess to convince the An Emperor to make her his Empress in Episode 33. She was betrothed to Prince Luo Xi instead as the Crown Princess as the Emperor didn’t trust her. Princess Yang Ying tells Ru Yi and Ning that she doesn’t want to return to Wu in Episode 34 as she wants to use her position to try to secure peace between the 2 states.

With the An Emperor’s and Crown Prince’s death, Tong Guang doesn’t have support of all the tribes as regent. Since Princess Yang Ying was appointed to be Crown Princess by the late An Emperor, it would be easier for Tong Guang to gain all the tribes’ support if they are together. Hence, they agree that that is the best thing to do with a looming war with Beitan and simply got married.

In Episode 39, Princess Yang Ying tells Ru Yi that she is getting along well with Tong Guang and they are respectful of each other. But she still always has Yuan Lu in her heart.

What Happened To Empress Zhao Jie?

How Empress Zhao Jie died in revealed in Episode 26 when Ru Yi hypnotizes Prince Luo Xi. She also obtains information from Tong Guang after he found out her identity. Empress Zhao Jie discovered that her husband had made a deal to buy horses from the Bei Tan to attack Shu. But Bei Tan is their enemy and they had killed Empress Zhao Jie’s father in the past. She disagreed with his move and became angry. Prince Luo Xi was promised the Crown Prince position by his father if he could get his mother to stop raising a ruckus.

So, Prince Luo Xi wrote a memorandum that his mother had gone crazy which was why she was causing trouble. The An Emperor also bribed Empress Zhao Jie’s father of the Sha Dong Tribe to keep quiet about the cooperation with Bei Tan. If the cooperation is exposed, he could lose his throne. In the mean time, Prince He Dong also took the opportunity to frame Empress Zhao Jie’s brothers for fighting over some land. Together with his father-in-law, they tried to get Empress Zhao Jie impeached and deposed. Once she is deposed, Prince He Dong will have a better chance to be the Crown Prince over Prince Luo Xi who was Empress Zhao Jie’s biological son.

All these were done with the An Emperor’s consent including the fire to silence her. That was why Empress Zhao Jie refused to leave when Ru Yi came to rescue her. She was in despair by the betrayal of her husband, father, and son. It was also why the An Emperor refused to entertain Ru Yi’s explanations and she became a scapegoat for Empress Zhao Jie’s death.

The Villain In Wu State

After the Wu Emperor’s death, Prince Dan Yang and Prime Minister Zhang Song begin fighting for control. The Wu Empress takes a decisive step to propose Prince Dan Yang to be the new ruler in Episode 38 as she feels the state needs a leader with Beitan at their doorstep. Prince Ying tries to kill Prince Dan Yang as well as prevent the Empress from delivering a healthy baby so that he could be the only legitimate heir. Ning sets a trap for him to walk into which exposes his crimes. Prince Ying also colluded with Beitan to assassinate the Wu Emperor. Ru Yi kills Prince Ying for his betrayal after he is forced to confess what he had done.

To ensure everyone will rally behind Prince Dan Yang, Ning reads out the late Wu Emperor’s will to appoint his brother to be the new ruler. Zhang Song has to admit he has lost the battle for power. In fact, Ning tells Zhang Song that the late Emperor actually left him 2 wills. One is to appoint Prince Dan Yang to be the new Emperor. The other is to hand over the throne to his unborn child. In his dying breath, he told Ning that he trusted him to do what is right.

Thus, Ning decided that Prince Dan Yang should be the new ruler after learning that Zhang Song had fought to be the power behind the throne. To appoint a child to the throne will just give rise to more instability and power struggle during a critical war with Beitan.

Other Key Events

• Ru Yi’s godmother is killed when she is taken hostage by the Scarlet Guards to threaten Ru Yi in Episode 15.
• Princess Yang Ying kills Zheng Qing Yun in Episode 16 when he tricks her to escape from the delegation to An. He wants to scuttle the plan to bring back the Wu Emperor as per his agreement with Prince Dan Yang. In return, he is promised a promotion.
• Princess Yang Ying is allowed to meet the Wu Emperor in Episode 23.
• Jia Ling kills herself after being defeated by Ru Yi and Ning in Episode 25. Ru Yi wants Jia Ling dead as the latter had killed the Scarlet Guards spies in Wu to cover up her embezzlement.
• Ru Yi kills Prince He Dong in Episode 26 as he was involved in the death of Empress Zhao Jie.
• Ning and his friends rescued the Wu Emperor in Episode 31.
• Ru Yi takes the An Emperor hostage and reveal his crimes against Empress Zhao Jie in Episode 32.
• Princess Yang Ying reveals that she is a woman to the An Emperor in Episode 33 when she knows she couldn’t escape from him. She suggests that she could be his Empress in order to avoid death.
• Ru Yi and Ning reveal the An Emperor’s and Prince Luo Xi’s collusion with Beitan in Episode 37. Deng Hui kills Prince Luo Xi after Ru Yi kicks him off the stage. Tong Guang’s attendant kills the An Emperor in the commotion to pave the way for his master to have more power.
• Beitan assassinates the Wu Emperor and Chu Yue’s father in Episode 38.
• Deng Hui dies in the war with Beitan in Episode 39.

A Journey To Love Review – Inconsistent Pacing

A Journey To Love starts off on a rather slow pace to me. Basically, it is a story about a bunch of good friends setting out on a journey to pay a ransom and negotiate for the release of their Emperor following a defeat in a war. A female assassin who has defected from her state gets entangled with the male lead and becomes part of the delegation. The problem for me is the long journey to get to the enemy state. It takes more than half the drama before they get there and it is more than three quarters into the story before they have the Emperor rescued.

Along the way, you are treated to some romance and sabotages due to the infighting among the royals for the throne. I find it to be draggy at times. Then, the pacing changes considerably once you hit the last quarter. Things happen rather quickly especially towards the last few episodes. A last minute villain appears and quickly dispensed with. At times, the story moves so swiftly that the editing and scene transitions couldn’t seem to keep up.

Nevertheless, A Journey To Love has a good plot overall. While I find the first half to be pretty boring, I guess the fast pacing in the last 10 episodes makes up for the earlier grind. You will forget the monotony then if you find the first half slow like I did. So, you might need to be a little patient to wait for the eventual “highlights”, if you can call it that.

Be Prepared For The Ending (Spoilers Alert!)

A Journey To Love kind of reminds me of Tiger And Crane with deaths being the “highlights” that I mentioned above. Depending on how you interpret the last scene, the conclusion sees most of the important characters getting killed. The male lead and his members lost their lives together with the female lead. Thus, you have to be prepared for the sadness if you watch this drama. I suppose the stretched out journey is necessary to set viewers up for the bucket of tears when one friend after another dies towards the end.

Whether all the deaths are necessary is, of course, debatable. Personally, I don’t think they need to kill off so many characters. A confirmation that the female lead remains standing would jive better with the theme given that she has been touted as the best assassin throughout the drama.

The other problem is with the last scene itself. Just like My Journey To You and The Longest Promise , the ending is open to interpretation. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is done well. The character chosen to close off the drama is not one of the main ones. It is a bit hard to relate her to the bunch of men and the female lead that appear at the end. This is because she is only closely linked to one of them but hardly seen together with the rest throughout the drama. So, to use her in the last scene is not so ideal to me.

An Infatuated Character

One other aspect of the drama that baffles me is the way one of the characters has been written. Li Tong Guang is such a complex character that wavers between being smart and idealistic to being delusional and infatuated. You may find him pitiable due to his background. But frankly speaking, I was kind of put off when the story starts showing him as being irrational and infatuated with his master. And the leads actually tolerate him although some of his actions are blatantly wrong. Well, I suppose I was expecting a more well-written and shrewd character to add to the intrigue of a power struggle. But it just falls short.

To me, It is as if the screenwriter can’t decide whether to make Li Tong Guang a good or bad person. Well, he can be both but the problem is his story and character are not effectively fleshed out. So, one minute, he is a rational and capable commander and the next, he is vowing to possess his master no matter what! Then, when you think he has come to his senses, he kidnaps her to force a wedding. His part of the story is just baffling.

However, as Li Tong Guang is just a subplot in the overall story, the drama is not adversely affected as a result. Furthermore, the main leads are able to hold the fort that the weaknesses can be glossed over. Therefore, the drama remains highly watchable.

Acting & Chemistry

This is the first time that I have watched Cecilia Liu in a drama. I think she is great as Ru Yi in the drama with the way she depicts the character. You can immediately sense her toughness and strength as someone trained to kill. She also outshines the male lead in a way due to her more domineering screen presence. I know many have been critical of Liu Yu Ning’s performance in A Journey To Love. To me, it is not that he did badly but his co-star simply overshadowed him.

So, I have no complaints about Liu Yu Ning’s acting. Perhaps he is just miscasted in the role. He is much suited to the character he played in The Legend Of Anle as someone who is smart but has weak health. In A Journey To You, his character is a strong martial artist but that aura seems to be missing. In contrast, Alen Fang steals the show as the playboy Shi San where the male leads are concerned. His good looks and flirty expressions just make him perfect for the role.

In terms of chemistry, I can’t sense anything explosive between Cecilia Liu and Liu Yu Ning. The chemistry is just adequate for a romance between 2 matured characters. I guess that is sufficient for a drama that is not relying on pure romance for its story.

My Verdict – Watch!

A Journey to Love is a good but not great drama to me due to the weaknesses mentioned above. But I still consider it a highly watchable drama. The reason being the story is fairly interesting although the pacing is a little slow in the first half. If you like watching the spirit of brotherhood, this will move you as the story progresses to the last quarter. It may have a long build up to get to the more emotional parts but the wait should be worth it. As the pacing quickens towards the end, the story will also get more engrossing.

As for the romance, this isn’t a young and fluffy kind of love. The female lead is direct and isn’t shy unlike typical historical drama heroines. She does the chasing and flirting in the beginning while the guy shies away instead. So, if you love a strong and straightforward female lead, this drama should be your cup of tea as well. There are enough sweet moments between them for those who crave for romance. But personally, I wouldn’t watch this for the romance but the brotherhood among the men. I find the latter to be more touching overall.

For this review of A Journey To Love, I would give it a score of 8/10. It could have been a real masterpiece if more care had been taken to give viewers a more consistent pacing. This is the most glaring weakness to me. But I still enjoyed it overall and it is one of the better dramas for 2023.

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January 7, 2024 at 5:55 am

Yes … I agree with you about Liu Shi Shi had domineering screen .. and I don’t mind about it … She is the first billing… She deserve it . But why haters said Liu Yuning is stealing scene… ? To be honest because of this drama LYN really got a very very hard time… Injured when filming .. haters call him ugly.. stealing scene etc… I hope LYN keep strong and work hard to prove himself as a good actor

January 17, 2024 at 3:10 pm

Liu shi shi is also amazing in scarlet heart 1&2, as well as the imperial doctress and vigilantes in mask, all these historical dramas being worth watching. I’m a fan, she is one of my favorite actresses. I find this drama very well played, alI actors are doing a great job and the storyline is interesting. I know about the ending and I am preparing my tissue box as I will cry a lot, I’m sure I I’m glad I chose to watch this drama.

February 12, 2024 at 11:04 am

Hi! “A Journey to Love” was the last Chinese drama that I watched in 2023. I finished it a few days before the new year. Just like you, I watched “Wonderland of Love” before AJTL, and I like and enjoyed both dramas :).  However, I rated WoL slightly higher than AJTL, but I consider both to be high quality dramas – good production, acting and soundtrack.  I would definitely recommend both!

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• ENGLISH HINDI MALAYALAM TAMIL TELUGU KANNADA BENGALI  

18+ Malayalam Movie

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind." This Shakespearean quote is befitting for the plot of '18+ Journey of Love' as it showcases two lovers from different family backgrounds. Apparently, the hiccups in getting hitched crop up in the form of their parents. A typical format of a love story, the waft of romance is short-lived in Arun D Jose-directed film, which tries to emphasise its politics in the climax. The director of 'Joe and Joe' fame also highlights the struggles of lovers in getting married and if they will be able to reconcile with their parents.

Here, the hackneyed theme is infested with predictable moments en route to flag a social stigma being carried by a political leader that is in contrast to his frequent political ideology speech in public. Such a superior attitude is dormant in the consciousness of the girl's father, who is a party leader, and he can't even think of mending his orthodox thoughts. Till landing on this juncture, the movie traverses through an ultra familiar terrain with perfunctory events evoking hardly any emotions.

The tale of '18+ Journey of Love' is set in a village in 2009 at Vadakara, Kozhikode. Akhil, played by Naslen Gafoor, is an active worker of a political party in which Ravindran (Manoj KU) is an influential local leader. A dropout from polytechnic, Akhil is working in a workshop and falls in love with Athira Ravindran (Meenakshi Dinesh), daughter of his leader Ravindran.

One day, Akhil and Athira decide to elope when her parents oppose their relationship and try to send her to Ahamedabad. It's a cumbersome task for the lovers to elope from a place where the political party has a stronghold. So, Akhil seeks the help of tipper lorry driver Rajesh (Binu Pappu), whose marriage had created a furore in the party circle. Meanwhile, Akhil does not want his friend and co-party worker Deepak (Mathew Thomas) to know about his decision to elope since the latter is so close to Athira's brother. The major portions of the film are invested in delineating how Akhil's friends with the help of Rajesh are struggling to formalise the marriage between Akhil and Athira.

The predictable nature of the screenplay, written by Arun D Jose and Raveesh Nath, is dominant with little to offer in terms of novelty. It's a predictable uneventful journey of love albeit the strings of conflict get bolstered towards the finale by embracing better late than never approach. By the time the tale enters its grave phase, '18+ Journey of Love' chokes on the trite court sequences where Nikhila Vimal's character Magistrate Sony is a sign of relief.

Naslen has infused maximum effort in portraying the dilemma of the character, besides elevating his performance as a solo hero. Binu Pappu also has a neat outing with shades of humour are vivid in his performance. Meanwhile, the presence of Mathew Thomas, who appears as a dedicated and sincere party worker, fails to create a significant impression due to lack of room provided to his character in the tale.

Journey of Love 18+ Movie Review & Analysis

• Mollywood Review

Gist of the Story

Akhil and Athira are in love, and Athira told Akhil about traveling with him because of family worries. Journey of Love 18 talks about their sudden choice to run away together and their reasons for doing so.

Detailed Plot

Athira and Akhil have been dating for three years. Athira confided in Akhil at one point that she was prepared to travel with him because she was afraid her family would send her to Gujarat. They choose a nice day to run away. However, Rajesh, who eloped and wed his love interest, is the person, Akhil, and his buddies Renju and Pattar decide to ask for aid from. In defiance of their parents’ desires, Rajesh assists the couple in getting married. But Raveendran, Athira’s father, reports the kidnapping to the police. He is a powerful figure in the Communist Party. Arjun, Athira’s brother, opposes the nuptials as well. Deepak, a close friend of Akhil who works at parties, aids the couple in dealing with this circumstance. The story’s main conflict is what happens next.

Artistes’ Performances

Naslen does a good job portraying someone who does not know what to do and is vulnerable Akhil. Meenakshi gave a really strong performance as Athira in her debut main role. In the serious role, Mathew Thomas does well. Within the theatre, there is a raucous laughing from Safwan and Anshid portraying Renju and Pattar. In a few scenes, they absolutely shine.Even though Nikhila Vimal just makes a cameo, it really heightens the hilarity. Naslen and Mathew Thomas, who have been in a number of films together, share less screen time this time around. Nikhila Vimal and Thomas are merely given cameo parts, but Binu Pappu is given a longer one as the “experienced” adult assisting the children in eloping.

Direction / Technical Side

Journey of Love by 18 Plus is a typical love story that depicts the typical uncertainty between lovers, eloping, legally marrying, and other vital elements of a rom-com. The verbal exchanges between the protagonists during the first half of the film are mostly what keeps us interested. The picture genuinely gains strength in the second half. 18 Plus, which is set in northern Kerala, makes reference to how political parties are significant in the cadre and workers’ everyday life. Arun. D. Jose, who directed his first movie, Jo & Jo, last year, has teamed up with co-writer Raveesh Nath to create another story in the movie 18+. They are trying to come up with a new plot from scratch. The inclusion of engaging conversation, party politics, and little surprises by the filmmakers assures that the film will keep you interested. Even though there are a few stretched-out scenes that drag a little bit, they can be ignored due to the fun quotient that has been added by the artists. Christo Xavier, who does a wonderful job, wrote the songs and the background music for 18 Plus. The film benefits from the work of cinematographer Satheesh Kurup.

Verdict; “Journey of Love 18 +” explores relationships’ challenges and uncertainties, including eloping and legal proceedings. Though some parts may feel a bit extended, the talented cast compensates for it by delivering an enjoyable experience. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

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Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

• What is the release date of 'Journey Of Love 18+'? Release date of Nikhila Vimal and Binu Pappu starrer 'Journey Of Love 18+' is 2023-07-07.
• Who are the actors in 'Journey Of Love 18+'? 'Journey Of Love 18+' star cast includes Nikhila Vimal, Binu Pappu and Mathew Thomas.
• Who is the director of 'Journey Of Love 18+'? 'Journey Of Love 18+' is directed by Arun D Jose.
• What is Genre of 'Journey Of Love 18+'? 'Journey Of Love 18+' belongs to 'Drama' genre.
• In Which Languages is 'Journey Of Love 18+' releasing? 'Journey Of Love 18+' is releasing in Malayalam.

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Journey Of Love 18+ – Review

Director: Arun D Jose

Starring: Naslen ,Mathew Thomas, Binu Pappu ,Meenakshi Dinesh, Nikhila Vimal

Music: Christo Xavier

Camera: Satheesh kurup

Editor: Cheman chacko

Journey Of Love 18+ is a Malayalam movie released on 7 Jul, 2023. The movie is directed by Arun D Jose and featured Nikhila Vimal, Binu Pappu and Mathew Thomas as lead characters. 

Jo & Jo Director Arun D. Jos directed the movie Journey of Love (18+).This is yet another film marketed to highlight one of the hit combinations of contemporary Malayalam cinema, the Naslen-Mathew Thomas combination. But Matthew plays an important role with limited screen time.

Like the director’s previous film, the film follows a comedy track and is a romantic drama set against the political backdrop of Kannur. Workable one-liners, friendship moments, and climax scenes are major positives of the movie. The performances of Naslen and Friends, Binu Pappu, and Meenakshi also support the thin plot of the film.

The writer who succeeded in character creation but failed to deliver the entertainment that the story demanded.The movie ends up being somewhere between average and good after dragging out a very tired plot.

Somewhere between Average & Good!!

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'A Journey' Review: Netflix's Filipino film leaves you teary-eyed with profound emotions

MANILA, PHILIPPINES: 'A Journey', now streaming on Netflix , takes viewers on a poignant two-hour exploration of profound emotions.

It revolves around a young woman, Shane, whose cancer returns for the second time and she chooses to opt out of undergoing chemotherapy again.

Instead, she convinces her husband, Bryan, to help her check off the adventures on her bucket list. Accompanied by their close friend, Kristoff, the trio sets off on an unforgettable adventure to Tasmania.

Netflix's 'A Journey' is an emotional one

The film delivers a deeply emotional experience, evoking tears as it portrays Shane and Bryan's heartfelt journey through the diagnosis of the deadly disease.

Despite the expected emotional moments, the film also celebrates love and enduring friendships.

It's central philosophy- "survival is not the same as living" is beautiful portrayed, emphasizing the idea that one never knows what may happen tomorrow.

There have been plenty of films made in the past with similar themes, but the portrayal of deep, sentimental human emotions can never become worn out in cinema. In fact, they are the heart of cinema, depicted across all genres.

'A Journey' doesn't bore you with monotony

The plot of the film is quite familiar and has been depicted in several films across continents.

Fortunately, RC Delos Reyes does a brilliant job of not lingering on emotional moments but maintains a steady pace, ensuring the audience remains engaged and invested in the story.

The close, fun relationship shared between the trio provides a heartfelt relief from the heavily loaded emotions of pain and grief.

Paolo Contis, Patrick Garcia and Kaye Abad share a wholesome chemistry and are quite convincing in their respective parts.

'A Journey' makes a worthwhile watch for a relaxed weekend, alone or with loved ones. Just be prepared with tissues handy for this touching ride.

'A Journey' trailer

'A Journey' is now streaming on Netflix.

Home » Movies » Movie Reviews

‘A Journey’ Review – A Beautiful Yet Tragic Tale Of Death, Life, And Love

A Journey is a heartwrenching Filipino drama about a woman with cancer setting out to complete her bucket list together with her husband and childhood friend. It’s a beautiful and compelling piece of filmmaking about what truly matters. 

I must warn you though, this film will make you very sad. 

A Journey opens with cancer survivor Shane, her husband Bryan, and their best friend Kristoff, aka Tupe, celebrating her 39th birthday at a karaoke bar. Kristoff is a famous television actor and Bryan works as his manager while Shane runs a coffee shop. The three have been friends since childhood, while Bryan and Shane have been in love for just as long. 

Not long after her birthday, Shane notices some worrying symptoms and goes to her oncologist. The news is devastating, Shane’s cancer has returned. After having suffered through chemo once before, Shane doesn’t want treatment this time. Instead, she wants to spend whatever time she has left getting through her “magic list” with Bryan and Tupe’s help. The list includes some fun items like seeing penguins, going snorkeling, and recreating her first date with Bryan, but also emotionally heavy goals like reconnecting with her estranged father. 

A Journey (via Netflix)

A Journey is a heartfelt drama exploring themes of love, friendship, and the things that matter when faced with mortality. It may start with a bad karaoke scene, but this isn’t a feel-good romance where everything is honky dory in the end. The film offers an honest (and depressing) exploration of the often tragic reality of the human condition.

A devastated Bryan seems to accept his wife’s decision and even quits his job to spend time with her. He does, however, have an ulterior motive as he’s hoping Shane will agree to start her cancer treatments once the magic list is complete. Wanting to help, Tupe organizes an all-expenses paid trip to Tasmania for the trio. Shane is apprehensive about allowing her friend to pay for such an expensive trip, but she eventually relents. 

A Journey | Image via Netflix

As lighthearted as the trio tries to be during their trip, the finality of their actions is never far from our minds. One compelling scene is where Tupe and Bryan debate whether life is about the journey or the destination. For Tupe, it’s about the destination, but Bryan sees the journey as more important. Shane, however, is acutely aware of how important each moment is and wants to spend her time making the most of it. 

The premise of a cancer patient choosing to live to the fullest in their final months has been done before, most notably in the 2007 tearjerker The Bucket List starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. However, a movie doesn’t need to have a never-before-seen synopsis to be good. And that’s precisely what A Journey is. It’s a touching story about three childhood friends finding meaning in their lives in the face of devastating adversity.

I also broke down A Journey’s ending if you wanted some emotional support after that crushing climax. You can also read more about Penguin, Tasmania , where the movie was filmed.

Article by Lori Meek

Lori Meek has been a Ready Steady Cut contributing writer since September 2022 and has had over 400 published articles since. She studied Film and Television at Southampton Solent University, where she gained most of her knowledge and passion for the entertainment industry. Lori’s work is also featured on platforms such as TBreak Media and ShowFaves.

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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From Mexico to Philadelphia: Cantina La Martina Is a Journey of Flavor

Chef Dionicio Jiménez tells his story through camaron suizas and red pozole with ramen noodles.

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From left: Camaron suizas; Chef Jiménez preparing barbacoa in the backyard of Cantina La Martina. / Photography by Michael Persico

I don’t know where to start but with the thing that everyone talks about: Cantina La Martina exists in a piece of Philly hit hard by the opioid epidemic. It’s on the corner of Kensington and D, and there’s just no way around that. There are needles in the gutter, the scars of campfires on the sidewalks, some of the city’s most abandoned on the same block. It’s hard to look at, and it should be, because ignoring it helps precisely no one.

But then there’s the other thing everyone talks about: that Dionicio Jiménez has created something here that is remarkable — one of the best restaurants in the city in one of the most challenging places it could be. Calling Cantina La Martina an oasis is insulting, because it’s fully part of this neighborhood — with its Mexican music and weekend events on the fenced patio, killer happy-hour deals and Taco Tuesdays. In Cantina’s first year, Jiménez was a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. Now, in its second year, he’s received another nod from the foundation, this time for the national honor of Outstanding Chef. And that all makes sense, because everything he makes in this kitchen – ­everything he touches – becomes the best version of that dish you’ll ever try.

Diners enjoying bites over margaritas

The camaron suizas–the shrimp curl like pink corkscrews inside the loosely rolled tortillas, topped with pickled red onions, doodles of Mexican­ crema, melted queso fresco, and, most importantly, this amazing­ creamy-white salsa verde flooding the plate and holding­ everything together. It turns the fluffy white rice served in a bowl on the side (half a bowl, really) into a star all on its own, the smoky black beans (in the other half of the bowl) into a garnish, and the entire dish into something that makes you put your elbows down on the table and focus — that makes you scrape the plate with your fork to get every last drop.

AT A GLANCE

Cantina La Martina 2800 D Street, Kensington

CUISINE:  Mexican

Order This:  Enchiladas suizas for lunch; shrimp tacos and the siete mares for dinner.

The rest of the menu is just as good. Every plate shows the steps Jiménez has taken over decades in the business — as a dishwasher, a line cook, Vetri’s sous-chef, Solomonov’s opening chef at Xochitl, Starr’s exec at El Rey — and what he has learned along the way.

Who else is going to attempt a Mex-Italian fusion like Jiménez’s siete mares riff on the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes (done as a soup), or his food-nerdy red pozole, studded with chunks of tender pork and hominy and lime and jalapeño and threaded with ramen noodles? It was actually the ramen that got me into Jiménez’s dining room the first time, months ago, because I thought something like that has no safety net. It either has to be laughably bad or so good that it colors the entire menu — offering depth and a sense of humor bordering on whimsy.

Needless to say, it was the latter.

The kitchen’s tacos are monsters — street tacos given center-plate status, overstuffed and tightrope-walking that narrow line between upscaled and overcomplicated. All of them are good. The camarones (again) and the cochinita are great — the shrimp because they’re plainly influenced by that beach-bum vibe so many city taquerias reach for and miss, and the cochinita because that’s where Jiménez and his kitchen get to show off.

Noodles at Cantina La Martina

There’s an achiote braise that turns everything orange, a slow cook for an almost impossible tenderness, hints of chili and lime and black pepper, pickled red onions for a little acid brightness, cabbage for crunch (I always pull that off), and then the house’s pulpy, electric green salsa cruda that tastes like no other salsa cruda I’ve ever had, like spicy garlic, kinda; like hot tomatillo with a savory top note. That’s good times, right there. That’s a dish you talk about.

But two years in, and there’s still the conversation: Why this neighborhood? Is it really worth going?

And the answer is yes, obviously. Yes, if you’re comfortable enough. You walk in out of the tragedy and into the vibrant barroom, with its brick-backed long bar and exposed beams. The El rattles the walls, the radio plays MGMT’s “Time to Pretend,” and you can sink into the easy comfort and infectious joy of this room and forget everything else.

Cantina La Martina’s dining room

You shouldn’t, but you can. For a little while, anyway. But the world is still waiting outside. And while it’s beyond asking one restaurant to fix a problem as entrenched and multi-faceted as what exists outside the front doors, in a community that has had so much taken away from it, Cantina La Martina is giving a lot back.

They’re here. They’re part of the neighborhood. And they’re not looking away. 4 Stars — Come from anywhere in America

Rating Key 0 stars: stay away ★: come if there are no other options ★★: come if you’re in the neighborhood ★★★: come from anywhere in Philly ★★★★: come from anywhere in America

Published as “Cantina La Martina Is a National Treasure” in the April 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

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'Vanderpump Rules's Tom Schwartz Is ‘Disappointed’ Watching Himself in Season 11

Schwartz sided with his friend Tom Sandoval during Season 11's "Scandoval."

The Big Picture

• Tom Schwartz expressed disappointment in himself and Tom Sandoval's actions, admitting to feeling disconnected from their behavior on Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules .
• The fallout from Sandoval's affair with Rachel Leviss impacted their bar, resulting in business suffering and bad reviews, causing stress for Schwartz and their employees.
• Schwartz acknowledged his mishandling of situations on the show, indicating a possible desire for personal growth and change in future seasons of Vanderpump Rules .

Tom Sandoval cheated on his girlfriend of nearly a decade with her best friend and somehow many it all about how he was the victim. His biggest supporter was his friend, Tom Schwartz , and fans went into Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules hoping we'd see people holding Sandoval accountable. Instead, we got the exact opposite. Season 11 included people like Lala Kent turning to Sandoval's side and a series of people making misogynistic remarks towards Ariana Madix about the situation and, essentially, telling her to get over it. Schwartz though is apparently at least a little bit ashamed of himself.

Outside of Madix, Schwartz was probably the one who suffered the most from Sandoval having an affair with Rachel Leviss . Not only did Schwartz kiss Leviss on the show but he is also business partners with Sandoval and in the fall out, their bar "Schwartz and Sandy's" suffered business and bad reviews. Now, Schwartz went onto Nick Viall 's podcast The Viall Files to talk about his reaction to Season 11 and his own disappointment in himself and how he is acting.

“I watch it and there’s a complete disconnect,” he said. “I’m just like, ‘Tom, what are you doing buddy?’ … I’m very disappointed in what I see. Not to be like, Mr. Self-depricating, but when I watch it I’m just like, ‘Come on man, you’re better than that.’” Viall asked Schwartz about the show misrepresenting him and Schwartz talked about his own intelligence. “I think I come off as like, a loveable idiot.”

The Aftermath of Scandoval

Scandoval took over the world for an entire summer and after watching both Schwartz and Sandoval work on their bar together, that was the first place fans thought to attack given how Schwartz still supported Sandoval. For Schwartz, he felt bad for their employees. “There was at least one night where we had to shut down,” he said. “People [were] calling in and threatening crazy sh*t. … It turned into a f*cking fever dream.” Schwartz did also go on to say that watching Season 11 back, he didn't handle the Jo Wenberg situation well and it is oddly refreshing to hear Schwartz making sense about himself, even if it is a little too late.

Whether this means that Schwartz will change his ways for Season 12 (if renewed) and we will see him attempting to do the right thing remains to be seen from the restaurant owner.

Vanderpump Rules

Best known as one of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump opens the salacious kitchen doors of her exclusive Hollywood restaurant and lounge, SUR.

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