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Me... Myself (2007)
9/10
It's better than you think!
4 September 2007
Honestly, during the first 20 minutes, I thought the movie was not particularly promising and it felt a bit too much like watching a TV "lakorn" (Thai-styled soap opera). But soon it took on a totally different level and I realized this is probably one of the most touching Thai drama I have ever seen.

Me... Myself (Thai name: ขอให้รักจงเจริญ) tells a story of Tan, a mild-mannered young man with amnesia, and Oom, a soon-to-be-successful professional woman. Both are from entirely different worlds and have nothing in similar other than their wounded pasts and hearts to be healed. Tan may be luckier that he already forgot his past, but Oom is hanging on the edge of sanity and would probably have been consumed by anger and despair if it wasn't for Tan's extraordinary gentle and kind nature. In the process of healing each other, the two fall in love. But before they could do anything about it... Tan's past finally catches up with them and it is beyond anything Oom could have predicted. The revelation is abrupt and shocking (well some of you might have figured out what it is from the DVD box and the poster art, but I'd rather not give a spoiler).

I think that's where this movie shines. It handles "the revelation" and what comes after with great care and sensitivity. This part of the movie is very touching and just solid in term of story telling and acting. Ananda Everingham (Shutter) as Tan again proved he's a talented drama actor and is just perfect for this kind of character. Among many impressive scenes, one particular really stuck in my mind. It was when Tan was walking alone and crying on his mobile phone. It was a very short scene but that was all it took to capture the pain the character must have had. Chayanan Manomaisantiphap as Oom is great too but sometimes I wasn't feeling much chemistry going on between her character's and Ananda's. Another notable actor is the boy, Monton Annupabmard, who did a very good job in his last scene.

This movie is not perfect though. You'd be disappointed if you expect some grand or highly sophisticated cinematography. Thai movies these days are doing great in this area. Me... Myself is a bit behind. I think this is one of the reasons why at first I felt like I was watching a Thai TV soap, or perhaps a Thai movie from 10 years ago.

Also, the ending of the movie, even though satisfying, is slightly abrupt. But that is probably the point the director wanted to convey. This is not about the future not yet seen, it is about the happiness of this very moment.
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10/10
Suriyothai and Anna and the King
17 April 2002
Finally someone mentioned movie Anna and the King.

Anna and the King and Suriyothai have resemblances in many aspects. They both talks about history (put a question mark here. both claimed they are based on the 'true story') of theThai royal family and their members' relationships, love, hatred, rivalry, interactions with other contemporary people. Both movies put so much effort and money on the grandiose royal court setting, costume, and props. And both have the similar tone you can feel (though Anna seems to be a bit more romantic-dramatic thing).

However, it seems to me the comparison of the two movies are nearly non-existence in both Thai and western media. Was it because of lack of access to the movies? Yeah, we know that Anna and the King has been banned in Thailand and probably few Thai critics had seen it. And Suriyothai is until now still virtually unknown abroad.

But I can't help thinking that there are some people out there who have seen both movies. Haven't heard a comparison comment from them !! Was it a kind of ignorance or somewhat ? Where are all those people with loud noise who just love to be heard ?

Although personally I think Suriyothai definitely rules Anna in most of the ways, I know myself I am not a good critic (either professional nor amateur). So I would rather not give much comments on it. But still interested to hear some from you people out there.
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8/10
Not as good as it should be
11 August 2001
Khang Lang Phap (Behind the painting) is a forever famous novel for Thais. Many of us start reading it since we were in high school. And because of that, so many people (including me) went to see this movie.

I admit I was at first impressed and almost cried at the theater. But it was mainly because of the story which is almost translated exact word by word from the original novel. Well, the movie it self was good. But not that exceptional good like many people talking. The leading actress (Kirati) deserved compliments, the music was so beautiful, and there was a deliberate old fashion style of Thai film you can feel. However, there were many irritating flaws like the sound, the light, the continuing. etc. It made the movie look so amateur. The worst of all was the English subtitle (which I consider part of the movie). It was quite a big regret to see original emotionally poetry-liked Kirati's sentences were translated lamely and emotionlessly to English.

Well, I give the original novel 10 out of 10. But for the movie, 8 is enough.
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6ixtynin9 (1999)
10/10
My Favorite
9 January 2001
None of my friends, here in Bangkok, said they like the film. My taste might be different but I think Ruang Talok 69 (the Joke 69) is really good.

My reason is that it is a strong and good satire of life in Bangkok and the Thai culture. The Asian financial crisis in 1997, the boxer gangsters (they wear Muay Thai jackets), the rural guy who misses his mom, the sadistic wife, the obscene phone call, etc. all are somehow relating to real situations and real people here. You might be surprised to learn that in Bangkok there are a lot of actual cases of Thai wives cutting their husbands'..... eh, you know which part I'm talking about.

These kind of things so weird and don't make any sense but they are what we face in our daily life. Thai people are so used to them that we sometimes forgot to realize how non-sense they are. So non-sense that it's actually funny. And it's great to see it mocked so tastefully in this movie.

I liked this movie a lot. And when I read the comments, I was glad to know some other people liked it too.
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10/10
The Reflection of Bangkok
7 August 2000
I like the movie 'Once Upon the Time' so much as I think it reflects the life in Bangkok. It touches the serious problems such as homeless people and child prostitution but it also shows the endless imagination of children and the family relationship. 'One Upon the Time' has a tensed feeling of joy and sadness that I couldn't forget. For both Thai and international movie viewers, I strongly recommended this movie.
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