Exciting Times

Newly arrived in bustling Hong Kong from Dublin, Ava finds herself adrift, teaching English to affluent children while navigating a peculiar relationship with Julian, an emotionally detached banker. Their dynamic is largely transactional: he spends freely, they have sex, and discuss economics, but love is a word he cannot utter, offering only "I like you a great deal." When Julian departs for work, Ava's solitary existence is interrupted by Edith, a vibrant and earnest lawyer. Edith offers a refreshing contrast, her enthusiasm and genuine interest quickly drawing Ava in, cultivating a profound connection that blossoms into something Ava deeply cherishes. However, this burgeoning romance is complicated when Julian announces his imminent return. Ava is then faced with an agonizing choice: retreat into the familiar, if emotionally limited, comfort of her life with Julian, or bravely embrace the uncertain, yet potentially more fulfilling, path with Edith. Naoise Dolan's "Exciting Times" masterfully captures the intoxicating freedoms and daunting uncertainties of contemporary love, delivered with stylish prose and a sharp eye for the intricate personal and financial transactions that define modern existence.