The Love of Siam (2007)
Well, most of you who know me would know that I'm not overly impressed by at least 90% of the movies out there. As half a movie critic I would call myself, movies that I find really good are only a handful, mainly because I like its plot, the acting, the directing, and other aspects of it. Few movies actually make it into my top lists.... but well, to name a few all-time favourites are "The Matrix", "V for Vendetta", "Transformers", "Sex and the City", "Marley and Me", "Saving Private Ryan", and "The Click".
But then again, once in a blue moon, comes a movie SO good, that I've decided to write an advert cum short review for it. Its a rare thing for me to actually review a movie.... in fact I've never done it before. However I simply feel that this movie is worth the effort. Without saying more....
Introducing:
The Love of Siam (2007)
Directed by: Chookiat Sakveerakul
Main Starring:
Witwisit Hiranyawongkul
Mario Maurer
Brief introduction of movie history: (skip this part if you're not interested in the facts)
I'm guessing that nearly none of you would've heard of this movie before. Well, mainly because it's a Thai movie, and secondly, it's not aired in Malaysia, and my guess is it never will be.
Well, this romance category movie was released in 2007 in Thailand, by the director Chookiat Sakveerakul, whom was apparently known for producing Thriller and Horror movies.... so this movie seemed like something of a surprise to everyone. However, it still managed to score a big hit in the theaters, although there was some controversy to it, with people accusing the director of 'misleading' the audience into watching it. What this controversy is, you'll find out if you read on, hehe.
After the release of this movie in Thailand, it received such an amazing response from Taiwan that they subbed the movie in Chinese for Taiwan audiences and was released in 2008 in Taiwan.
In year 2009, somehow, a single copy of the movie managed to find its way into Singapore, and soon turned up as a huge hit there too. And now, it seems that this movie is now internationally known as one of Thailand's Best Movies in 2007.
The two starrings, Witwisit (nicknamed Pchy/Pitch) and Mario, after their debut in this movie where shot to super stardom and became thai Superstars overnight.
Introduction to movie:
The theme for this movie, as obvious as it can be, is stated in the title. L . o . v . e.
However, this isn't a normal romance story between a girl and a guy, its up and downs, and an ending. This movie portrays about Love in General, not just the love between two lovers, but how and what love can do in relationships, love between friends, families, and love that transcends throughout space and time (this last one might sound a bit science fictional, haha, but no, its not like Star Trek or anything like that). You might not understand what I meant by that, but it'll soon get clear if you watch the movie.
This story is also more about how love could turn into a single moving force which affects the family, friends, motivates, cultivates, and make someone capable of doing things they never thought of before.
The Love of Siam is actually about two childhood friends, Tong (Mario Maurer), and Mew (Witwisit Hiranyawongkul, or a.k.a Pitch), that were separated when Tong's family decided to move after his sister went missing. They manage to meet each other after again many years being apart, and from there.... the story really develops from then on .
As for the controversy I mentioned earlier, this movie was categorized as teen romance, and that was all.
Still.... I'm not sure whether you guessed what the controversy was about yet, but in case you haven't.... here's a hint.
From left, Mew (Pitch) and Tong (Mario)
Main Starring:
Witwisit Hiranyawongkul
Mario Maurer
Brief introduction of movie history: (skip this part if you're not interested in the facts)
I'm guessing that nearly none of you would've heard of this movie before. Well, mainly because it's a Thai movie, and secondly, it's not aired in Malaysia, and my guess is it never will be.
Well, this romance category movie was released in 2007 in Thailand, by the director Chookiat Sakveerakul, whom was apparently known for producing Thriller and Horror movies.... so this movie seemed like something of a surprise to everyone. However, it still managed to score a big hit in the theaters, although there was some controversy to it, with people accusing the director of 'misleading' the audience into watching it. What this controversy is, you'll find out if you read on, hehe.
After the release of this movie in Thailand, it received such an amazing response from Taiwan that they subbed the movie in Chinese for Taiwan audiences and was released in 2008 in Taiwan.
In year 2009, somehow, a single copy of the movie managed to find its way into Singapore, and soon turned up as a huge hit there too. And now, it seems that this movie is now internationally known as one of Thailand's Best Movies in 2007.
The two starrings, Witwisit (nicknamed Pchy/Pitch) and Mario, after their debut in this movie where shot to super stardom and became thai Superstars overnight.
Introduction to movie:
The theme for this movie, as obvious as it can be, is stated in the title. L . o . v . e.
However, this isn't a normal romance story between a girl and a guy, its up and downs, and an ending. This movie portrays about Love in General, not just the love between two lovers, but how and what love can do in relationships, love between friends, families, and love that transcends throughout space and time (this last one might sound a bit science fictional, haha, but no, its not like Star Trek or anything like that). You might not understand what I meant by that, but it'll soon get clear if you watch the movie.
This story is also more about how love could turn into a single moving force which affects the family, friends, motivates, cultivates, and make someone capable of doing things they never thought of before.
The Love of Siam is actually about two childhood friends, Tong (Mario Maurer), and Mew (Witwisit Hiranyawongkul, or a.k.a Pitch), that were separated when Tong's family decided to move after his sister went missing. They manage to meet each other after again many years being apart, and from there.... the story really develops from then on .
As for the controversy I mentioned earlier, this movie was categorized as teen romance, and that was all.
Still.... I'm not sure whether you guessed what the controversy was about yet, but in case you haven't.... here's a hint.
From left, Mew (Pitch) and Tong (Mario)
Haha.... lets just say.... there's something gay about it. So, a word of caution for the narrow minded. This movie is not for you. This also led to the movie taking the two ends of the spectrum in rating. "Very good"... and at the same time "Very bad", because the narrow minded ones couldn't believe they were 'cheated' into watching a gay movie they say.
However, I'll tell you guys that this is the one and only "no skin shown" gay movie I think I've seen out there. No 18 SX content, no cheesy talk.... and to top it all off.... it's still the BEST I've seen so far. Instead of the usually highlighted 'hot love scenes' in all the other gay movies, this one served to display the pure innocence love could bring about.
Anyway, I decided that I'm not gonna go into the synopsis for it, since I'd rather you watch it yourself if you're interested rather than me giving you spoilers. Rather, I'd give you some of my opinions on the movie.
*****
Honestly, I really really DO recommend this movie to Everyone, whether you're straight, gay, girls who are just interested in seeing the two cute starrings in the movie, whoever it is. This is a must watch. Just watching this movie changed my view in many things itself.
The plot for the movie is perfect by itself, made even more interesting when coupled by the spectacular acting and its two lovable starrings. The acting itself is REALLY Down-To-Life. Unlike almost all of other movies in which actors overact, show expressions that you'll almost NEVER come across in real life, bring out the movie's atmosphere through anger, sadness, sweet talk and more..... this movie is totally different.
They managed to capture exactly the expressions we would show in reality, no overreacting, no corny lines at the wrong time, and most of all, you rarely see the conventional expressions such as 'she's gonna blow' and 'jealousy' or 'sad' expressions used.... rather it's more life-like, like a real scenario that we would commonly experience in real life.
Besides that, considering the fact that this movie was the first movie for both the two leading actors Mario and Pitch, they played their roles perfectly and flawlessly I could say. It isn't easy acting as a gay character, even more so since this was their first time acting.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that the songs and soundtracks used in the movie are personally sung by Pitch, the actor himself. And if you thought Thai songs suck before.... think again.... or you should try listening to the songs from THIS movie.
There're actually so many more things I could say about the movie... its camera angles, its scenes, the way they put it all together, and much more. But as a common audience, I'll say that I'd give this movie a 9/10 rating, ^_^.
The only drawback I can think of right now for this movie..... is its unusually LONG runtime. There are official versions of this movie as I know it, an original 4 hour run, a Director's Cut, 2 hours 50 minutes, and finally the International Version of 2 hours 11 minutes.
In the director's cut, it took almost 30 minutes just to Get to the starting credits... which I feel is long enough to make people walk out of the theater. But then again, I really can't think of how they could shorten the movie without losing its mood and feel.
Personally I watched the 2 hour 50 minute Director's Cut and I think that's the best, because in my honest opinion. The 4 hour one however would be too much for most people. But if you're impatient and can't sit for long.... I guess the 2 hour run would suffice.
*****
Sorry if you found the review boring, haha. Because I wrote it in the middle of the night and my mind wouldn't spin properly.... so it might sound a bit sleepy.
So that's it for the review.
Till I find something worthwhile to update.
However, I'll tell you guys that this is the one and only "no skin shown" gay movie I think I've seen out there. No 18 SX content, no cheesy talk.... and to top it all off.... it's still the BEST I've seen so far. Instead of the usually highlighted 'hot love scenes' in all the other gay movies, this one served to display the pure innocence love could bring about.
Anyway, I decided that I'm not gonna go into the synopsis for it, since I'd rather you watch it yourself if you're interested rather than me giving you spoilers. Rather, I'd give you some of my opinions on the movie.
*****
Honestly, I really really DO recommend this movie to Everyone, whether you're straight, gay, girls who are just interested in seeing the two cute starrings in the movie, whoever it is. This is a must watch. Just watching this movie changed my view in many things itself.
The plot for the movie is perfect by itself, made even more interesting when coupled by the spectacular acting and its two lovable starrings. The acting itself is REALLY Down-To-Life. Unlike almost all of other movies in which actors overact, show expressions that you'll almost NEVER come across in real life, bring out the movie's atmosphere through anger, sadness, sweet talk and more..... this movie is totally different.
They managed to capture exactly the expressions we would show in reality, no overreacting, no corny lines at the wrong time, and most of all, you rarely see the conventional expressions such as 'she's gonna blow' and 'jealousy' or 'sad' expressions used.... rather it's more life-like, like a real scenario that we would commonly experience in real life.
Besides that, considering the fact that this movie was the first movie for both the two leading actors Mario and Pitch, they played their roles perfectly and flawlessly I could say. It isn't easy acting as a gay character, even more so since this was their first time acting.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that the songs and soundtracks used in the movie are personally sung by Pitch, the actor himself. And if you thought Thai songs suck before.... think again.... or you should try listening to the songs from THIS movie.
There're actually so many more things I could say about the movie... its camera angles, its scenes, the way they put it all together, and much more. But as a common audience, I'll say that I'd give this movie a 9/10 rating, ^_^.
The only drawback I can think of right now for this movie..... is its unusually LONG runtime. There are official versions of this movie as I know it, an original 4 hour run, a Director's Cut, 2 hours 50 minutes, and finally the International Version of 2 hours 11 minutes.
In the director's cut, it took almost 30 minutes just to Get to the starting credits... which I feel is long enough to make people walk out of the theater. But then again, I really can't think of how they could shorten the movie without losing its mood and feel.
Personally I watched the 2 hour 50 minute Director's Cut and I think that's the best, because in my honest opinion. The 4 hour one however would be too much for most people. But if you're impatient and can't sit for long.... I guess the 2 hour run would suffice.
*****
Sorry if you found the review boring, haha. Because I wrote it in the middle of the night and my mind wouldn't spin properly.... so it might sound a bit sleepy.
So that's it for the review.
Till I find something worthwhile to update.
5 comments:
I will give the gay movie a shot too!
Haha~ returning the favor =)
hey...i read from ur the top til the bottom of this post....i asked the movie from u many times.....but u dun wan giv me..haiz.....how can i watch it?oh yea..sorry didn't find u today.....i forgot about it..will find u 2molo..anyway..NICE REVIEW~~~~the guys n girls are CUTE~~I wanna watch it. See whether ur review..match the movie..hmm....i wonder..
Lol, I told you that when you want to watch it, tell me. Either you come my hse watch, or I go your hse watch, haha.
-BiRD-
the movie is very good.. cant take my eyes on tong here.. such an angelic face
Haha, true.
And the fact that it's so 'down to life' makes me like it the most, a change from those dramatic storylines that never even happen in real life.
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