Moneyboys – Movie Review & Ending Explained

Story review

Sex workers

I had trouble liking Moneyboys from the get-go. A dark and gritty movie about sex workers isn't my cup of tea. The premise feels dated, like something seen in gay cinema years ago. There's Bishonen in 1998, Lan Yu in 2001, plus many Western films covering the same narrative. Decades later, Moneyboys is another reiteration of a familiar formula.

I went into Moneyboys with an open mind, knowing that stories about gay hustling remain relevant today. However, I'm not fond of this niche because the plots often follow similar trajectories. The lead character goes through a series of anonymous sex with the occasional violence, drugs, or sexual diseases. Sorry for the broad generalizations, but these topics don't inspire me after watching them dozens of times. Am I really in the mood for a movie along the same lines?

China?

Although Moneyboys was filmed in Taiwan, the movie's setting takes place in a nondescript Chinese region. Initially, the director C.B. Yi planned to film in China instead. Yet, the country's ruthless censorship crackdown on gay content made his plans impossible, forcing him to relocate elsewhere. The location is an enormous elephant in the room, featuring a lot of geopolitical dissonance. For a story that is supposed to happen in China, we have:

• A subject matter that is banned in China.
• A lead actor who has been blacklisted in China.
• And filmed in a country facing hostile tensions from China.

Many reviewers in Taiwan have criticized Moneyboys, unable to overlook the embarrassing regional and linguistic inaccuracies. The movie has distinctive Taiwanese landmarks and local dialects, but it unsuccessfully tries to pass off these characteristics as Chinese. You pretend the story takes place in a different country, but you don't do a good enough job concealing the cultural discrepancies. The questionable optics, the poor immersion, and the weak authenticity are scrutinized by these moviegoers.

However, the director faced a tough dilemma. He wanted to highlight the Chinese gay community, whose voices are stifled by the homophobic government. Yet, it's impossible to produce a LGBT movie in China under the current political climate. The director was forced to compromise and moved the entire production to another country, which couldn't be an easy undertaking. He must've faced many challenges in his filming process. Nonetheless, he persisted to tell the stories of a highly marginalized group in China. This determination is admirable.

Romance review

Fei and Xiaolai

The Fei and Xiaolai relationship isn't conveyed skillfully in Moneyboys. Xiaolai only appears in the beginning for a short time, goes missing throughout the middle, and emerges again near the end. We don't spend enough time with his character. He was supposed to play a significant part in Fei's life. Yet, we know so little about Xiaolai's background, personality, or relationship with Fei. Moneyboys has failed to develop a compelling love interest.

When Fei met Xiaolai near the end, their reunion didn't feel impactful. We're barely acquainted with Xiaolai, who has gone missing for too long. Worst of all, his character doesn't even receive that much focus in the final act. Fei seemingly spends more time interacting with Xiaolai's wife than Xiaolai. Xiaolai's limited screentime isn't meaningful either, and his scenes reveal very little about himself. 

The lack of character development for Xiaolai undermines the central romance in Moneyboys. Maybe the movie should've spent more time establishing his character at the start. Give us more relationship scenes other than singing karaoke and a quick romp in the bedroom. Or perhaps the film could've reintroduced Xiaolai earlier, giving us more substantial interactions between the leads. Either way, Xiaolai desperately needed extra screentime to make his romance with Fei engaging.

Fei and Long

By comparison, Moneyboys does a much better job developing Long's character. He was properly introduced, showcased his distinct personality, and went through a fleshed-out journey. Long also has plenty of interactions with Fei, going through ups and downs in their rocky relationship. In fact, the movie focuses on Fei and Long so much that their bond completely eclipses Fei and Xiaolai.

Yet, Fei and Long's scenes together don't feel that romantic. Their dynamic consists of Long throwing himself at Fei, who acts bored and barely responds. Evidently, one of them loves the other person more, creating an imbalance in their rapport. Fei's interactions seem patronizing at times, treating Long like a burden. It's like, "Ugh, this guy from my village is annoying me." or "Ugh, now he's stealing my client." I never get the impression that Fei likes Long adoringly, a sentiment that amplifies once Xiaolai reappears near the end.

I wasn't surprised when Fei and Long broke up, going their separate ways. Their drastic differences in personality and priorities made them an incompatible couple. However, I was annoyed we spent a long time establishing Long's bond with Fei when they weren't even endgame. If these two weren't going to be the final couple, we didn't need that much emphasis on their relationship. Make their scenes more concise. Fei's other love interest, Xiaolai, could have used some of that screentime instead. 

Guo Yong and Xiangdong

Moneyboys features a minor romantic subplot between the two supporting characters, Guo Yong and Xiangdong. Basically, these two former lovers are feuding since Xiangdong abandons his gay lover to marry a woman instead. Their relationship draws parallels to many gay men who settle down in heterosexual marriages to fit into society.

To be honest, this storyline feels cliched and melodramatic. The confrontation at the wedding is embarrassing. The dinner scene where Xiangdong cries leaves me cringing. It doesn't help we barely know the two characters, solely defined by the relationship drama. Guo Yong and Xiangdong only exist because the filmmaker wants to make a statement about gay men in straight marriages. While I understand the social commentary, the movie isn't very graceful in executing its messages.

Acting review

Good acting

Kai Ko is a polarizing Taiwanese celebrity with a controversial career. I think the public opinion of him is pretty divided. His acting skills have both admirers and detractors. Personally, I think he delivers a solid performance in Moneyboys, demonstrating restrained yet dignified emotions. He's also involved in many male-on-male encounters, comfortable enough to tackle those scenes convincingly. Plus, Kai really does have leading-man good looks, the type of handsomeness that makes you understand why he's famous.

In addition, Long's actor (Bai Yufan) does an impressive job in this movie. He's buoyant and charismatic, translating this energy splendidly on screen. He brings lots of enthusiasm to his portrayal. I also think it's pretty daring for a young Chinese actor to take on high-profile LGBT projects in recent years. I bet many other actors would be advised to turn down this sensitive role, fearing the uncertain repercussions to their careers in China. It shouldn't be this way, but sadly that is the reality for countries ruled by oppressive governments.

Moneyboys makes a unique casting decision, which you may or may not have noticed. The same actress (Chloe Maayan) portrays three different characters throughout the movie, changing her appearance dramatically with each role. To be honest, I don't think this detail has a significant impact. However, it's a quirky piece of information to mention in the trivia section! 

Artistry review

Great artistry

Moneyboys is a stylish movie, packed with atmospheric visuals. Every scene is thoughtfully composed, experimenting with different camera placements and lighting arrangements. The storyteller consciously films the movie using medium & long shots, observing the characters from a noticeable distance. It forces you to pay more attention to the surroundings, ambiance, and dynamics between the characters. 

Fei's character is closed off about his emotions. However, you can see how he feels by observing his body language and positioning in a scene. Around friends, he sits nearby, talks openly, and behaves comfortably. Around strangers, he stands away, sulks sullenly, and avoids intimate interactions. I really like this cinematic technique, although it runs into some limitations. Everything appears too distant, making it harder to connect with the characters or resonate with their emotions. The artistic vision looks elegant, but perhaps it's a bit impractical.

Ambiguous ending

Moneyboys has an ambiguous ending where Fei's future is left in the balance. He reunites with his ex-boyfriend Xiaolai near the end of the film. However, Xiaolai's new life is drastically different nowadays. He has quit his moneyboy career, gotten married, and settled down with a family. Fei feels indebted to his ex-boyfriend, who got arrested and lost mobility in his leg after the assault from years ago. Fei understands his actions have caused Xiaolai's life to take an unexpected trajectory.

Surprisingly, Xiaolai's wife is open-minded about her husband's past. She actively encourages Fei and Xiaolai to pursue their romantic connection. The heterosexual family unit is only a facade, and she accepts the two men still have feelings for each other. The wife doesn't mind if Fei moves in with their family. As Fei entertains the idea, Long is jealous and thinks this living arrangement is preposterous. Long wants a future with just the two of them. When Fei remains non-committed about a relationship, Long decides to leave him.

Xiaolai and Fei's final interaction takes place without any dialogue. They meet on a bridge, coming face-to-face. As Fei draws on a cigarette, Xiaolai removes it from his hand and takes a smoke. It's an intimate gesture, signifying that Xiaolai longs for a connection with his former lover. The two meet make eye contact silently. It's clear they still love each other, but we don't know the status of their relationship. Does Fei move in with Xiaolai's family, hiding as a secret lover? Or does he continue his career as a moneyboy, living alone now that Fei left him?

Ending explained

The final scene shows Fei sitting in his house by himself. The doorbell suddenly rings, but he ignores the noise and doesn't react. This doorbell is symbolic of urgency, demanding Fei to make a decision about his life. Does he stay or does he go?

• He could go answer the door, uncertain of what awaits him. In other words, Fei could go live with Xiaolai's family, even though he doesn't know how that unusual arrangement will work out for him.
• Alternatively, he could remain in his current position and not answer the door. In other words, Fei continues his career as a moneyboy and not go anywhere. He would be comfortable with his independence, yet feel miserable about his loneliness.

Moneyboys doesn't provide a conclusive ending about Fei's decision. We never find out whether he goes to live with Xiaolai or continues his career as a moneyboy. Instead, the movie cuts to an earlier scene of Fei and Long dancing in the club. You'll remember this moment because it's one of the only times Fei seemed happy and relaxed. The ending shows a lengthier version of the scene, where Fei danced merrily without inhibition. As per Long's advice, Fei enjoyed himself and lived in the moment instead of worrying about his circumstances.

Moneyboys references this scene in the ending to illustrate Fei's enlightened mindset. His character spent the entire film going through the motions apathetically. Now that he's on the cusp of a significant life decision, Fei reminisces one of his happiest moments in recent memory. As Fei danced the night away, he was liberated from his worries. He should apply that same positive energy to the rest of his life. Whether he goes with Xiaolai or continues to live independently, Fei has developed an important mantra. Just enjoy the moment and do what makes him happy.