Youth Never Returns

Youth Never Returns is a rather straightforward coming of age story chronicling the Chinese college experience. For those who have never lived in China and may be unaware, many college friendships last a lifetime. Because of the one child policy in China, many college students learn to live with a roommate for the first time in college, and consequently, the relationships become close friendships.

This particular film does a slightly above average job of setting the mood for first love, lost love, and the fleeting nature of youth. Comparable films from Hollywood would include The Big Chill and sex comedies like American Pie. Needless to say, there's nothing here worthy of an Oscar but as far as Chinese dramedies go, this is a pretty good one.