But Always (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in two primary locations: New York City, with its vibrant urban landscape, diverse culture, and arts scene, which serves as the backdrop for the characters' adult lives; and Beijing, representing their roots and the contrast between their past and present realities. The story explores how these two cities embody different chapters in Anran and Yongyuan's relationship.

Foreshadowing: The contrast between New York and Beijing mirrors the characters' evolution from their initial connection to their separate adult lives.

• new york
• beijing
• setting
• locations
• cities

The narrative unfolds over two decades, beginning in 1982 when Anran transfers to Yongyuan's school as a teenager. By 2002, the characters have reached adulthood and must confront the challenges and changes that have shaped their lives and relationship over these twenty years.

Foreshadowing: The 1982 setting establishes the origin of Anran and Yongyuan's deep bond, which echoes throughout the subsequent timeline.

• 1982
• 2002
• timeline
• decades
• time period

Anran is a sophisticated and determined woman who transforms from a teenager into a focused pre-med student. Her character represents strength and ambition as she pursues her educational goals while managing complex relationships. Despite her independence, her connection with Yongyuan from their school days leaves a lasting impact on her life decisions.

Foreshadowing: Anran's ambition and determination set the foundation for the sacrifices Yongyuan will later make to support her dreams.

• anran
• character
• protagonist
• pre-med
• ambition

Yongyuan is characterized by his unwavering loyalty and deep emotional commitment to Anran, having been her devoted companion for two decades. His transformation from a dedicated friend into someone involved in dubious dealings reveals the extreme measures he takes to support Anran's dreams. His journey is marked by conflict, sacrifice, and a quest for redemption.

Foreshadowing: Yongyuan's loyalty, established early in their relationship, explains his willingness to make controversial choices later in the story.

• yongyuan
• character
• loyalty
• sacrifice
• support

Love and loss is the central theme of the film, following Anran and Yongyuan as they navigate their intertwined fates through periods of separation and reunion. Their bond is tested by external circumstances and personal growth, showing how love can be both a refuge and a source of pain. The emotional weight of their shared experiences demonstrates the enduring impact of lost connections.

Foreshadowing: The theme of love and loss is established from the characters' first meeting and deepens as the story progresses through time.

• love
• loss
• theme
• relationship
• separation

Separation is a recurring motif throughout the movie, illustrating the various forces that drive Anran and Yongyuan apart. Their lives are marked by cycles of reunion and loss, highlighting the struggles that distance and circumstances impose on deep relationships. Their ability to cope with these separations emphasizes resilience and the ongoing quest for connection despite adversity.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes establish the pattern of separation that will define the characters' journey across two decades.

• separation
• theme
• distance
• reunion
• resilience

Anran and Yongyuan's relationship spans twenty years, beginning in 1982 when they meet as students. Their connection evolves from teenage friendship into a deep, complex bond that endures through separation, personal growth, and life changes. By 2002, they confront the challenges of adulthood while dealing with the unresolved feelings from their shared past.

Foreshadowing: The foundation laid in their early years establishes the emotional stakes that drive the narrative forward.

• relationship
• timeline
• evolution
• anran
• yongyuan

The romance serves as the absolute core of the narrative, driving every character decision, including Yongyuan's turn to dubious dealings purely to support Anran's dreams. The love story is characterized by profound longing and sacrifice, culminating in a bittersweet ending where the characters reunite but their love remains 'irrevocably fractured.' The sadness stems from this enduring, unresolved connection rather than a single tragic event.

Foreshadowing: The depth of their connection is established early, setting up the emotional complexity of their eventual reunion.

• romance
• love story
• sacrifice
• bittersweet
• relationships