Directed by Yao Xiaofeng, written by Weng Liangping, and starring Wang Yibo, Li Qin, and Wang Yang, "Storm Chaser" is a spy war drama, but it uniquely approaches it from a financial perspective and combines finance and espionage to make the plot more interesting. For the complexity, different intellectual confrontations are added, broadening the story boundaries of the spy drama.
"Storm Chaser" poster
The plot focuses on the financial market and economic changes in the 1930s, revealing the importance of finance to the rise and fall of the country and the survival of the nation, as well as how financial means were used for political purposes in turbulent times, giving the play a strong flavor of the times and a sense of historical significance.
Xu Nuo (played by Wang Xueqi), an underground worker of our party, received information: The Kuomintang's financial reform was to "transfuse blood" for the war.
For example, the financial reform in the play alludes to the struggle between the Song family and the Kong family among the "four major families" in history textbooks (the Chiang Kai-shek family, the Song Ziwen family, the Kong Xiangxi family, and the Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu families). Shen Tunan (played by Wang Yang) represents the interests of the Song family, and Mr. Yu represents the Kong family.
Finance + espionage make "Storm Chaser" refreshing.
In addition, more viewers are interested in the growth of the youth represented by Wei Ruolai (played by Wang Yibo), especially the process of establishing his faith.
Wei Ruolai (played by Wang Yibo)
The protagonist's belief building is one of the core themes of spy dramas, from "Insidious" and "Red" to "Rebel" and this time to "Storm Chaser". Noble, great, and faith that can be practiced at the expense of everything does not arise out of thin air. The protagonist often goes through the process from ignorance to wisdom, from weakness to strength, and from hesitation to determination.
The real difficulty and highlight of spy dramas is: how to make the protagonist’s belief building appear credible? This is the premise of a classic spy drama.
Different from Yu Zecheng, Lin Nansheng and others, Wei Ruolai, who just appeared, is very young and has no beliefs. His life ideals are also very simple. He hopes that what he has learned can serve the motherland and he hopes to make money so that his family can live a good life.
Wei Ruolai is the "new young man" in spy dramas. This is an innovation in the character setting of "Storm Chaser": How does a young man who doesn't know much about the party grow into a staunch communist?
The narrative strategy adopted by "The Storm Chaser" is to put aside political stance and first let the audience understand and become familiar with what kind of person Wei Ruolai is.
Wei Ruolai is very kind, he is pure in heart, acts justly, and does not use evil ways to obtain personal gain.
The first scene of the series is when Wei Ruolai takes a risk to help a fellow gang to check the accounts. The gang boss invited Wei Ruolai to work as the gang's accountant, promising to give Wei Ruolai generous treatment and ensuring that no one in Shanghai would dare to bully him. Even if there is the temptation of profit, Wei Ruolai will not be swayed.
Wei Ruolai refuses the tempting offer offered by the gang boss
The next scene is Wei Ruolai's urban life in the dilapidated Qibao Street in Shanghai at that time. He considers this place his home. Later, he worked in the Central Bank, and the more senior Secretary Huang (played by Song Shuai) asked him to move out of Qibao Street. Wei Ruolai said that he was used to living here, but Secretary Huang reminded him not to say that he lived in the "slum" of Qibao Street. But Wei Ruolai is not "ashamed" of this. He is affectionate and righteous and never forgets his roots.
Secretary Huang reminded Wei Ruolai not to mention his identity
Wei Ruolai has established a foothold in the Central Bank, and his monthly salary has increased to fifty yuan. He still rents in Qibao Street and loves everyone.
In addition to kindness and affection, another quality of Wei Ruolai highlighted in "The Storm Chaser" is: his unswerving loyalty to his career and his promises, and his ability to stick to his principles even when faced with life and death decisions, showing great courage and determination, an object of trust and dependence.
Entering the Central Bank, an important task assigned to Wei Ruolai by his boss Shen Tunan is to prevent a capitalist who attempts to transfer assets from escaping. In order to complete the task, Wei Ruolai was beaten until his nose was bruised and his face was covered with blood. Even if he was held up by a gun, he still hugged the opponent's leg. He was a man who risked his life for what was right.
Wei Ruolai vowed to protect the central bank’s assets to the death
Before his death, his brother Wei Ruochuan, a communist, hoped that Wei Ruolai would hand over gold bars to the organization. Wei Ruolai is willing to take huge risks to fulfill his brother's last wish.
Wei Ruolai wants to fulfill his brother's last wish
Before talking about faith, "Storm Chaser" first established a young man who showed good character. A kind person is more likely to choose justice and faith when faced with a major decision, which provides the rationale and motivation for Wei Ruolai's subsequent choice of firm political beliefs.
Of course, Wei Ruolai was not an outsider of the times. In that era of drastic changes, personal destiny was closely linked to the rise and fall of the country. Before joining any political party, Wei Ruolai had the ambition to serve the motherland. He had very simple feelings for the motherland and the people.
For example, when Wei Ruolai entered the Central Bank for his first interview, he sincerely expressed to Shen Tunan, "Our Greater China is poor and weak... Ruolai is willing to serve the country with what he has learned throughout his life"; in the second interview he fought for himself During the "interview", his words were more sincere. He knew that today is a "troubled world" where "big men drink wine, talk and laugh, sucking the flesh and blood of ordinary people to enrich themselves", and he wants to work with Shen Tunan to "change this greedy and evil financial circle" "...
Wei Ruolai has simple patriotic feelings
In a conversation with Shen Tunan, Wei Ruolai expressed the financial reform he expected: "A healthy and benign society should redistribute wealth from top to bottom and formulate the fairest and most reasonable laws to allow the rich to By being able to operate legally, poor people can have something to depend on for their old age, instead of like now, where most wealth is concentrated in..."
Wei Ruolai had simple patriotism and a concern for the sufferings of the people from the bottom of his heart. He had the desire to serve the motherland. This provides a strong motivation for how Wei Ruolai sublimated from the simple emotions of ordinary people to lofty revolutionary beliefs.
However, because of his initial gratitude to Shen Tunan for his loyalty, trust and kindness, Wei Ruolai thought that what Shen Tunan took must be the right path, and what Shen Tunan did must be the right thing.
At this time, he was still vague about his party and beliefs. For example, Shen Jinzhen (played by Li Qin), an underground worker of our party, asked Wei Ruolai that the death of some people is heavier than Mount Tai and that of others is lighter than a feather. "Which type do you think your brother belongs to?" Wei Ruolai's answer was: "I don't know. But he must have died for his faith.”
Wei Ruolai didn't know if his brother had chosen the right path.
Compared to his brother's faith, Wei Ruolai trusted Shen Tunan more at this time. Although Wei Ruolai has a natural affinity for the Communists (including the fact that he does not reveal his identity as an underground tailor), because Shen Tunan is a staunch Three People's Principles, Wei Ruolai's attitude towards the Communist Party is also biased towards "neutral".
Why does Wei Ruolai trust Shen Tunan more? "The Storm Chaser" gives a persuasive portrayal in a leisurely and well-founded manner. The relationship between Shen Tunan and Wei Ruolai also constitutes a major highlight of this drama.
First of all, Shen Tunan was kind to Wei Ruolai and was a great leader and noble person in his life. Shen Tunan allowed Wei Ruolai to become his assistant and work in the Central Bank, providing Wei Ruolai with a platform and opportunity to display his talents and realize his self-worth. Without Shen Tunan's insight and trust, Wei Ruolai might not have had the chance to pursue his passion for finance.
Secondly, Wei Ruolai admires Shen Tunan. Shen Tunan is a truly religious person, although he believes in the Three People's Principles. Faced with huge resistance to the reform of customs custody rights and various assassinations, Shen Tunan broke the boat and moved forward fearlessly. His original intention was indeed to build a better society and a better China. This coincides with Wei Ruolai's simple patriotism. Shen Tunan's life realm, ideals and ambitions, and his persistence in faith aroused Wei Ruolai's deep respect and admiration for him. Whenever Shen Tunan was talking about some grand ambitions, Wei Ruo looked at Shen Tunan with eyes full of admiration.
Wei Ruolai admired Shen Tunan very much at this time
Furthermore, Shen Tunan is really good to Wei Ruolai, and Wei Ruolai can also feel this kindness. For example, Wei Ruolai did not do well in the examination assigned by the central bank. Wei Ruolai didn't dare to go on the court to compete with Secretary Huang. He was usually so busy that he couldn't spare much time for business training. Shen Tunan was greatly disappointed by this, and he scolded Wei Ruolai, "Are you striving to be the best?" The scolding was because Shen Tunan valued Wei Ruolai too much.
Shen Tunan's disappointed eyes
Fortunately, Wei Ruolai did not lose face and won the daily settlement competition, and firmly chose to continue to be Shen Tunan's secretary. Shen Tunan's smile was like that of a parent who is proud and satisfied when his child has grown up.
Shen Tunan's satisfied expression
In a stock price war, Wei Ruolai was defeated for the first time because of his youthfulness, arrogance and high self-esteem, but it didn't matter, Shen Tunan would back him up. Shen Tunan had known that Wei Ruolai would be frustrated, but he was willing to give Wei Ruolai such a chance to grow.
Shen Tunan paid special attention to Wei Ruolai
Shen Tunan is not afraid of Wei Ruolai's failure, he hopes that Wei Ruolai will grow in failure.
After criticizing Wei Ruolai, Shen Tunan took Wei Ruolai to buy suits and shoes. Wei Ruolai was reluctant to do it because it was too expensive. Shen Tunan asked Wei Ruolai to look in the mirror and see what he saw. Shen Tunan said: "What I see is a rising financial star. It may seem a bit immature now, but it won't be long before colleagues in the banking industry in Shanghai will be proud to know you."
Shen Tunan's words made Wei Ruolai obviously confident.
Wei Ruolai had just experienced a setback, and Shen Tunan's affirmation gave him self-esteem and confidence. Wei Ruolai said, "I believe everything Mr.
For Wei Ruolai at this time, Shen Tunan was both a teacher and a friend: when he was confused, he pointed out the direction, when he made progress, he was proud of him, when he encountered difficulties and setbacks, he gave him encouragement and affirmation...
Therefore, he can work hard for Shen Tunan, "My life is not worth a lot of money anyway, so I leave it all to my husband." He would say, "Mr.'s life is very important to China." When Shen Jinzhen asked, "What about you?", he said without any hesitation, "It's more important."
Wei Ruolai is loyal to Shen Tunan
Therefore, when Wei Ruolai was tortured or in fear of his life due to suspicion of complicity, he would not hinder Shen Tunan; Shen Tunan did not give up on Wei Ruolai and tried every means to save him. When Wei Ruolai returned to the Central Bank and was squeezed out, Shen Tunan accepted Wei Ruolai as his disciple in front of everyone.
The camera scheduling of this scene is so brilliant, using visual language to explain what "running in both directions" means.
It is completely foreseeable that when they part ways because of their beliefs, there will be tension. However, this is another hurdle that Wei Ruolai must pass towards the correct belief: the emotional hurdle. This feeling is not the common love between a man and a woman, but a friendship for Bole, for a mentor, and for a person who once had great respect and admiration.
This allows "Storm Chaser" to surpass the "revolution + love" model of previous spy dramas and have a different aesthetic charm.
The narrative of "Storm Chaser" is full of patience. It focuses on portraying a "new youth" who has never appeared in spy dramas, and details the process of establishing his faith, which helps to enrich the plot content and increase dramatic conflicts. and turning point; it also allows the audience to follow Wei Ruolai's growth experience, witness his transformation from ignorance and confusion to firm belief, and have a deep understanding and resonance with him.
Wang Yibo once again met a good character that can be written on his resume. "Storm Chaser" has its own recognition among many spy war dramas.
