Rak haeng Siam (2007) User Reviews

Melancholic yet hopeful

[huangtianci · 9/10 · 9 December 2007]

I watched 'Rak haeng Siam' a week ago. And I love this movie!

Despite the recent controversy about gay issues in Thailand, this movie is not focused only on gay romances, but love in general.

In the movie, we witness various types of people's relationships and the acts of love they do to each other, whether they are of mother and son, brother and sister, grandmother and grandson, husband and wife, or the love among friends.

'As long as there's love, there's hope'. This sentence is from one of the film's theme songs (which are mostly written by the director-writer himself), and it exactly presents the tone of the movie: heartwarming and hopeful.

While being promoted as a movie about love, 'Rak haeng Siam' is also one of the best family and coming of age movies ever made. We can see how the characters have to cope with their past losses, and how they overcome their grief. The teenagers have found who they really are, what they want, and go on with their lives. These serious topics are delicately presented, thanks to the director who brilliantly helms the movie.

All the main cast are at their best, especially veteran Sinjai Plengpanit, as a woman who's desperate to save her family from being torn apart. Her performance is heartbreaking. Another praise for newcomers Witwisit Hirunwongkul and Mario Maurer, who play the major teenage roles. They are so into the characters we could believe this is real.

'Rak haeng Siam' is indeed a good film as many have said. It tells us even though our love is unanswered, we can still learn from it, and we should be grateful that, at least, we are once capable of loving.

my new favorite movie

[glennaa11 · 9/10 · 28 December 2007]

I saw this film twice during my November visit to Thailand. I can't wait for the DVD release (hopefully with the English subtitles as in the theatrical release).

Despite the director's coy statements, the gay love story is the center of the film and it is that relationship that drives the action throughout.

It is very long at 2.5 hours. Some judicious cuts to the repetitive parts of the family drama would have helped. And while I loved the prologue that sets up the back story, I think it could have been pared down a bit. It's not likely to see much of an international release apart from some gay or Asian festivals.

The acting is fantastic and the boys have really great chemistry. Not to mention the fact that they are both just about the cutest boys in the world.

Some of the story doesn't make a whole lot of sense, including Tong's profession that he can't be Mew's boyfriend even though he loves him which is basically the ending of the film which is pretty heartbreaking. I had a tear in my eye pretty much from start to finish.

Despite it's flaws this is a remarkable film that I really loved. If you like emotional, touching dramas this is a film for you.

Great movie, a reticent statement made with fresh acting

[edwinicq · 9/10 · 30 March 2008]

I can see where the previous commentator came from. However, maybe biased by my own liking of mellow and subtle plot-weaving, I enjoyed the overall picture painted by the music, 2 main actors, and the parents and June.

I personally favor this movie because it doesn't construct/explain explicitly the events and personality surrounding each character as concrete context of the story, which is often a technique used by mainstream films to materialize climax and logic of a movie's plot (e.g. she acts/feels this way because it was established that she was such and such...).

Therefore I suppose the reason so many people like this movie literally across the globe (mainly observed on forums from the United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, and Europe), is because it uses a Thai case to exemplify humanity's constrained reaction toward its surrounding.

Without spoiling the movie, I am referring to the scenes the director ended up choosing as plot construction regarding characters' emotions and actions. Instead of picking the conventional expression that would usually indicate 'sad', 'she is going to blow up', and 'angry', the scenes selected to continue the flow and plot of the movie are rather life-like: Life doesn't always present significant events with significant background music and conventional cues, which often supports both the actors and audiences in moving the drama (or movie in this case) along.

So my friends and I love the movie for such illumination that: if the contemporary cultures often internalize certain procedures, cues, and embodiment that connect external events and internal reactions/feelings, what are humans to do in a real world that is not tamed by our rule?

Maybe from a more speculative audience's eye: what can we possibly do if we cannot bear to lose the one we love, and what if we go on life without loving anyone at all? The movie achieves a 9/10 for me despite its weak elements (some acting are definitely...not so great, but I don't speak Thai and don't know the culture), exactly because it constructs a unconventional platform (the acting, climax-devices, the music, and plot) and operates consistently along its story-telling (a gradually broadening perspective of love across generation (Mew-grandmother), time/space (Tong's family & sister), gender (Mew & Tong), and the peripheral Others (the Chinese-Thai Ying and her crush on Mew, and the Catholic family)).

Best Thai coming of age movie in a decade

[chris_thomya · 10/10 · 16 December 2007]

I saw this movie on the first day they showed in Bangkok.I didn't pay attention that it will turn to be the good movie like this. As they promoted to be like any normal teenage love story but it's not all true. 2.30 hours spending for this movie , I never get bored.Also surprised that they are brave to present the different kind of love story in Thai movie market nowadays.I never seen the reaction of the audience in the cinema like this for a long long time.Many comments in the web board, love or hate it.But the "hate comments" came from the personal attitude against the sexuality of the character in the movie.I have nothing to against it , so I LOVED this movie like many people who watched it and have the open mind.There will be another extended 4-hour version soon and I will keep my eyes on it. Another best "coming of age" Thai movie in a decade. Brilliant!!!

Don't judge the outside,just open your mind and understand the inside

[yorozuya_tsundelea · 10/10 · 22 January 2008]

I remember that when this movie released the trailer ,it convinced many people to misunderstand that it was a cute teenage movie like many blockbusters from GTH like Seasons change ,Dear Dakanda,My girl.Until they saw this movie,many audience felt very upset because it was a gay movie.

Nevertheless,I think this movie is surprisingly great I've ever thought.It's more than a gay movie.It also portrays family problems as well as teenager's.It is a story about two boys Tong and Mew who confront losing.Tong lost his sister so his parents is down falling while Mew lost his grandma who was only his love in all his life. Everyone in this movie needs something vital to fulfill all life. Something is called Love.This movie can show how powerful love is. Love can inspire Mew to write and sing a lovely song.Love can make this movie enjoyable and impressive easily because the powerful love for making this movie.So I admire Madaew,the director who is able to prove how to make effective movies from a social criticizing horror like 13Beloved to a powerful love story.

Besides that,the performances in this movie are excellently outstanding.Especially,the veteran SinJaI as Tong's mom who must encounter several problems bravely such as losing her daughter,alcoholic husband even having realized a shocking truth about her son.She looks inconsiderate and fussy but actually she still love her husband and son deeply. When she is sad,she will cry naturally but makes me hurt so much meanwhile the other actors were able to act very well.I hope that the teen actors in this movie will be promising stars soon.

Surprise - a good Thai gay-themed movie

[lothd · 10/10 · 16 December 2007]

I live in Bangkok and go to cinemas regularly. Beginning of November I saw the trailer for Rak haeng Siam - Love at Siam, referring to Siam Square in downtown Bangkok where major scenes of the movie were filmed. I thought it to be a regular teenage love story. I was in for a pleasant surprise. At its centre is nothing less than a gay love story between teenage boys, tastefully handled, with Thai cultural standards faithfully observed. Amazingly the final message is "It's OK to be gay." No kathoeys (Thai gay stereotypes who abound in local movies and on TV) in sight, just two regular schoolboys who happen to be gay.

Of course this movie is mainly for Thais. Non-Thai people will enjoy it more if their knowledge of Thai culture is up-to-date. The most amazing scene in the movie has the boys sharing a prolonged kiss, surely a first for Thai cinema. The reaction of the mostly teenage audience was worth the price of admission alone. The movie is still running at this time and seems to be critically successful, too.

I enjoyed it very much and don't hesitate to designate it as the best Thai movie of 2007.

Go see it if you are interested in Thailand and Thai culture. Definitely go see it if you are gay. You won't be disappointed.

Emotional shock with a long-lasting effect

[kongjr · 10/10 · 15 November 2008]

I give it a rating of ten because I believe this is a movie on this rare topic (teenage love, gay love, family love etc) which you won't find in a decade, that the emotional shock and storyline have a long-lasting effect, the director/writer left you a huge space for further imagination.

The story of Tong and Mew was well written, showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile, while reflecting quite truly of the Thai society and the rather open attitude towards homosexuality in Thailand.

No "coming out of closet" scene for Mew and Tong, the affair between the straight-acted Tong and Mew was a gossip between nosy friends only but not simply rejection or opposition, nobody expects some friends of Tong would give any trouble to warn Mew to stay away. Comparing Get Real (1998), another coming-of-age movie based on a similar story in Britain, Steven was bullied by John's friends, gossips were more dangerous for the future of both the British boys, but only a funny topic for the Thai counterparts.

Pressure from Tong's mother, urging Mew to stay away from Tong for the sake of his future, shows another common attitudes towards homosexuality amongst Thais, Thais are traditional and tend to think it's others business to choose who to love, but better not happening in the family.

Family plot, while a bit distracting from the main plot, was still attractively written. The relationships between Tong's parents, the effects on the family on the loss of the sister, the conversations inside the family, were subtly expressed and cleverly written.

The director/writer left a great space for the audience to think about the plot, to create a long-lasting climax.

Tong's alcoholic father was saddened to see his wife eating cold rice while serving him hot dishes, realizing how much she loved him, perhaps that's the end of their deadlock? June suddenly recited some detailed description of a photo taken in Chiang Mai, leaving many to wonder if June and Tang are the same person? Tong was afraid to upset his mom when decorating the Christmas tree and was then told to choose whatever he thinks be correct, (then Tong chose the boy doll). Is it like a consent from his mother to continue the relationship with Mew? Tong told Mew that they could not be lovers (impossible happy ending) and said "But it doesn't mean that I don't love you" A possible happy ending? Take whatever answers you like to hear, I think these are some of the core elements of this movie, letting the audience to think about the plot, with lots of possible outcomes.

In the DVD version, there was a non-subtitled part with narration from the director, he said he was asked so many times if June and Tang were the same person, he refused to answer and hoped the audience to think whatever they like.

Talking about the many open endings, perhaps it's only my imagination, but I do think Tang and June are the same person. Here's a possible plot:

Tang had an accident in Chiang Mai, she lost her memory and was adopted by some local farmers. The farmer parents didn't tell Tang the truth and called her June instead, June decided to move to Bangkok for better future (Chiang Mai's Amphoe Muang is quite a big city with lots of chances indeed, most people living in the urban area don't feel the need to go to Bangkok for a better future, except those from the rural areas). She met Tong's family in Bangkok, regaining some of her childhood memories, but was afraid to admit that the Chiang Mai late parents she loved and stayed with most of her live, weren't her blood parents. When Tong's father asked her why Tong's eyes were bruised in the photos taken in Chiang Mai, June could answer with such details that Tong was hit in a football match before coming to Chiang Mai (it was a lie made up by Tong and Mew, they actually had a fight with other kids), I think the director deliberately gives such details to leave a better room for the audience to further their imagination.

And about the ending of Tong and Mew.

While Tong said that he couldn't be lovers with Mew, "but it didn't mean that he didn't love Mew", giving another open-end to the storyline. Considering the okay signal from Tong's mother ("Choose whatever you think it's correct", said Tong's mother while decorating the Xmas tree), the rather open attitudes among friends and the deep love between Tong and Mew, it's only a matter of time for the sparks to explode again, indeed it was never diminished.

The movie ends with Tong giving Mew a Xmas gift, a missing piece of nose of the wooden doll, which Tong gave Mew as a present when they were still children.

Mew bid farewell to Tong and went back to his room alone, putting the wooden nose back to the doll, saying "thank you", crying quietly.

I think this is the climax of the whole movie, it is as if Mew finding back his long-lost love since her granny passing away. Mew once mentioned to Tong that in the past 5 years, he felt "so lonely, so terribly lonely, that he still couldn't stop missing his granny", he said "he understood this as a part of life, but he wondered if he could stand it anymore to separate with somebody he loved most".

Tong gave him an answer by giving him the missing wooden nose. Separating or going together, their love is not diminished. Kind of contradicting, but it's very touching.

Imperfect, but a definite must-see, and with lessons for Western audiences...

[ctiptonk · 7/10 · 31 March 2010]

The first half of the film is so awkward, I couldn't stop complaining about it. But those innocent, beautiful, babyfaced kids—they're so damn cute. Watching them is mesmerizing even when everything else around them is not. And somewhere in the middle of the film, I shut up. Was it the moment in bed where Mew finally reaches out to comfort a grieving Tong? Was it June's charismatically bungled prayer at the dinner table? Or maybe it was the kiss: a lean-forward moment of such pure electricity, audacity and tenderness that my face could barely contain my ear-to-ear grin. What an accomplishment for two actors who claim in interviews to be both straight and less than enamored with each other. The second half of the film feels like it was shot by a different DP (I checked, it mysteriously was not), it feels like the production values went from 10-o'clock news to Hollywood Blockbuster. Suddenly the supporting actors snap into line, even Ying's straight-girl-crush-on-a-gay-boy routine gets more charming. I wish someone would turn my shoes upside down.

The tension builds as mom cages the boys' fledgling romance. Ah, how classic is this trope in Western Gay Cinema: the religious and misguided parental figure shuts out the only light on the path of their offspring's coming of age, only to see them spiral into a self destructive abyss, rescued at the last moment when Parental Units realize the error of their ways and relent, and true love wins, as it always does. The cast shines its brightest here, especially the two boys, whose teenage angst on screen plays with a smoldering, riveting sincerity.

The moment comes when Mom and Tong are decorating the Christmas tree. Tong presses her for whether to hang a male or a female ornament. Ooooh, how the shivers ran down my writing-workshop weary spine: this is some amazing writing. Show, don't tell is the maxim of every screen writing professor, and here is an incredibly clever, subtle way to handle the confrontation without any of the clumsy on-the-nose dialog that nearly every other gay film uses in the same predictable situation. She tells Tong to make the decision for himself. He hangs the male. I bestow ye, Charming 2007 Metaphor of the Year.

I am completely swept up in the moment, and suddenly:

"I can't be your boyfriend, but that doesn't mean I don't love you." As one IMDb poster indignantly points out, "they don't even hug!"

What. The. F***. Immediately, I am furious. The fury lasts about 2.5 seconds. Then the questions come: Have I been conditioned by Hollywood to expect only happy endings?

No, I've narrowed my reaction to the ending down to two causes: cross-cultural understanding, and questionable writing. As an American, I was brought up to believe that rebelling against parents is normal, even necessary. For many of us, coming out is an act of defiance. We leave home, strike out on our own, and parents can take us or leave us for who we really are. But at the end of the day, it's being true to yourself above all others' objections that's what matters to the American Gay: we're here, we're queer, get used to it. Our obligations to our parents more or less end at high school or college graduation. I cannot speak for Thai family values, but I hear that Thai society is rather conservative. Just compare previous depictions of gay characters in Thai films—the young, masculine boys of Love of Siam are a far, far cry from the transgendered title character of Beautiful Boxer or the effeminate queens of Iron Ladies. Not to say these communities don't deserve empowering screen time in their own right, but to grasp that there is a spectrum of gayness which exists separate from gender identity seems to be a novelty to Thai popular culture. Furthermore, Asian cultures in general consider respect for family to run deep, deeper even perhaps than all the Christian trappings the film clothes its characters in. Sakveerakul goes to great lengths to establish the storyline of the family tragedy so that by the end of the film, Tong's half-rejection, ostensibly to respect his mother's wishes, makes sense.

To my personal sensibilities, this seems reactionary. One of the reasons this film has lodged itself in my psyche despite its many and obvious flaws, and has me up writing at 5 AM, is that it saddens me to think both that millions of LGBT people cannot live the life they choose, and that even the ones who can may never win the approval of their families. Though I live as an open and out gay man, supported by my community, my family and my friends, I know my mother will never accept me one-hundred percent. Given the same choice, I don't think I would have had Tong's strength to uphold the unselfish piety which his culture values.

My final observation on the ending is that it comes with little to prepare us, both for Tong's semi-rejection and for Mew's sudden recovery from the depths of teen depression. On Mew's end, we are meant to believe that a visit from a friend who reminds him that he has had support all along is enough to get him back in the studio. This is the friend who the character has spent the film angry at, and now he's the best friend? As for Tong, we know of his family's dire situation, but Sakveerakul has spent the last hour-plus of screen time showing us how miserable they and all the people around them have become because of their separation. How can there be a satisfying resolution for anyone involved if the two aren't together?

Then again, maybe that's the point. Or, as fans have wishfully pointed out, maybe that's the lead in for Love of Siam 2.

This movie is so great!!

[zeleehom · 10/10 · 5 March 2008]

Love hope sadness and joy !! I love this movie,not simply because its pure feelings but the love goes through it. You will love it no matter whether you are bent or straight!! After finishing this movie I cannot help crying, not fr sad, though it is a little sad in the end, but because those words and the whole press feelings in the duration of it. I am bent too, so I know how bitter it is for a gay to love a straight boy, and most of all, with a boy that cannot live with me but still says loves me!! Even in the straight world,it is unfair for both persons!! Wish you love it!!Cause it really exhibits a new world of your impression of Thailand!!

One of the Most Depictive Love/Youth Story

[c_p99 · 20 May 2008]

Needless to say that so many people have been touched by the movie. But why? I can't even remember which was the last movie that touched me for years...

I would say it's due to "purity". Nothing but love in the movie, all kinds of love, family, friends, lovers... everyone in the movie loves everyone else in the movie in their own ways, almost, but very tragical at the same time...

There is not much contrast used in the movie, unlike other love movies, e.g. love vs. war, or love vs. religion etc... even the boy-boy love looks so natural...

They are just common people, common family, common school, common boys and girls, you cannot say anything from their material lives that you don't have, but i bet you may not have their love.

And some thinks the movie is too long... but i would say, this is why the movie is so depictive... i recall a flavour of famous Shanghai female writer... the very old song played by the granny is from Shanghai singer, Wu Yingyin, who's still alive and singing. :)

50% good, 20% great 30% too long

[jaroslaw99 · 6/10 · 27 February 2011]

I must add another review if only because the glowing reviews are too glowing AND the negative reviews are found to be overwhelmingly not helpful. It almost seems as if the negative reviews are being voted "not helpful" because the writer didn't like the movie and not because the actual points were being evaluated by the voter. Oh well. And even though my review is mostly negative, I did find the acting superb, the players very attractive, the feel and mood being sought by the director was captured flawlessly, picture clarity excellent - all the good things others have said.

Let's start with the box cover - It is possible I have overlooked Tong and Mew sitting next to each other looking into each other's eyes, but my first impression AFTER watching the movie is that scene never occurred. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not sitting through 2.5 hours again just to see! In any case, it is very misleading, and implies the guys end up having a full fledged romance which does NOT happen.

I don't pretend to understand Asian culture completely, but I have watched enough movies by now to know a few things. The director had no problem conveying the idea that both of the boys had been through tremendous, atypical hurts in their lives and were having incredible problems struggling with their love for each other. Then the conclusion falls completely flat. No discussion at all. Yes family is important but this is the 21st century. People have the internet and are exposed to many ideas. Everyone had a cell phone, so private conversations are possible. It is not as if being Gay is unheard of these days even in Thailand. Completely unexplored is the question of whether Tong can pretend to be straight or asexual forever! There were a number of illogical things in this movie (I'm only listing what comes immediately to mind, there were more!) - Mew is heartbroken and cannot sing, then he can. I found Tang's disappearance unrealistic. Very early in the movie Mew mouths off to his grandmother and then much later asks if she's angry with him, no response, no punishment. I thought Asian cultures respected the women and elderly. The lyrics to the songs were absolutely inane although I liked the music overall perhaps it was the translation factor. It seemed like some things could be discussed to death and other things screamed for heart to heart talks between the principles and it didn't happen. To put it another way, for a movie remarked on by others so much about love and not just between Mew & Tong, there were a lot of things that didn't seem very loving to me.

This movie is way too long and again, the conclusion was infuriating.

Personally I don't think it is a gay movie....

[hj9255 · 10/10 · 26 May 2008]

I am not a Thai...so I watched this movie with English subtitles...

I love this movie and from last weekend, I watched this movie at least twice.

After I watched this movie, I wanted to share my feelings, and I was confused because some people say this movie is a gay movie...

I strongly disagree with that.

I am living away from my parents. I am going back to my country in about a month.

In this movie, there are many love cases. Family love, Friends love... and so on...

Even though it was sad when Mew cried after Tong said to him that he can't be his boyfriend. But for me, my tears flowed when Tong's mom was in desperate situations. Her husband was alcoholic and she found out that Tong may be homosexual. She was so realistic. I could see her love for Tong, her son.

After I watched this movie, I missed my family and friends. I felt like whether I can take this being-alone thing... What if all these things turn out to be nothing...the things that Mew said about love were really touching to me... Especially I miss my family and friends.

This is not a gay movie. I did not feel like this is a gay movie except for the part when Tong and Mew kissed. But I understood that the director wanted to emphasize that point which means that Tong and Mew finally expressed how each one feels about the others.

This movie is about LOVE in our life. I agree that this movie does contain a gay-theme, but that is just a part of it.

Trick or Treats

[Mr_Sensitive · 7/10 · 4 March 2008]

Rak haeng Siam, I like the movie, tell you frankly I like it. But I didn’t like the idea that it deceives its viewer by presenting it (in the trailer) that it is a teenage love story of two couple. And then it turns out to be a homosexual movie. It is as if the director has no confident in his own movie, afraid that it will do badly in the box-office, so he have to lie and trick people. That really pisses me off. He didn’t give any single clue that it was a gay movie. He did a pretty good job hiding it.

Maybe he didn’t find it to be necessary to pinpoint that out but if he didn’t find that to be a big deal then he wouldn’t have us blindfold that it was a gay movie either.

Anyway let’s talk about the movie- The story first. It was surprisingly good. Little over long, especially the first part (it took over 25 min before credit can open). But overall it was alright, some part can be a bit too slow. The characters are also not bad but very disappointed that there is like 3 min scene of Donut but they used her to promote the whole movie.

One of the best Thai movies in a very long time. A lot have to do with its soundtracks, which is beautifully written, sorry that non-Thai speaker wills never really understand how beautiful it was. But well music is universal.

As much as I hate him for the trick on this, I love his direction the most for the Thai filmmaker. He was imaginative, and unlike most Thai director he was difference, his angle is new. He is really good.

The best thing about this movie got to be the casting, it was utterly awesome, though as expected Thai actor sucks, but they are look good and work well with each other. All the girls and guys are cute.

For most foreigners, you might not notice this but for the Buddhist country it really stand out as why do they make the characters into Christianity? It was standout like anything.

Last Words: At least something new for the Thai film industry. Something with a little more quality flick.

Recommendation: Yes, rent it, you have to open your mind first though.

Reason to Watch: Something different from most Thai flick and soundtrack.

Reason Not To: Overlong, personal dislike of homo.

Rating: 7.5/10 (Grade: B)

Misleading and disappointing

[consult2 · 3/10 · 8 January 2010]

One of the posters here stated that this was a great break through in Thai movies for showing a male-male kissing scene. This may be true, but I found it lacked artistic integrity--it relied on a number of deliberate deceits reminiscent of a black French melodrama.

The producers led us through many scenes of both Mew and Tong pining away for love of each other--from Tong chasing Mew after Mew started avoiding Tong after a conversation with Tong's mother, to Tong finding another boy to have a relationship with, to Tong trying to find get a missing part of a gift he had given to Mew. ..and others like this. All deceits leading us to the conclusion of acceptance of love...and then dumped it all down the drain.

And after all this building up to Tong's accepting his sexual identity and a loving relationship, at the end he inexplicably tells Mew he cannot be his boyfriend--WHY NOT? Frankly I felt manipulated by the producers.

As for the other storyline of the missing sister, another leading down an inconclusive path.

We have been to Thailand many times, have "almost family" there, and a great love of the country and it's fantastic people, but this falls short of my expectations of Thais cinema. More definition and coherence would have made this movie better and less tedious.

love, long long living

[indexclub99 · 10/10 · 5 March 2008]

There is no Asia film better than this one at present. First I introduce three viewer's comments: 1. Dear God if you ever let me live in this movie nothing could drag me out. 2. I am always lovesick as spring comes but this season is worst due to coming across this movie. 3. I have never been indulging with any movie but not this time. Not only let myself addict to it but don't want myself ever out. What's my comment? If you are a person try to search the true meanings of love (could kill but no penalty that's called love) all your life and you missed this movie, then even you were already in heaven you had to come back to earth to catch it. This movie tells us a story of love between two boys and their family members. Don't be freak out, folks. A love between two young boys? After you watched this movie and see how they sacrifice themselves to each other and for their family and what kind pure caring love to each other, if you are parents you hope your children can put their feet to your shoes just like them. The most important is there is a dream that most people never experiencing: anybody ever wrote a love song for you just for you during your whole life? If haven't then go to this movie and enjoy the very romantic moment before it's too late. If you have somebody to love after watched this movie you will love them more. If you have somebody to thank for their love after watched it you will be even more gratitude. By the way did I mention actors are cute and actresses are beautiful? I think this movie will be Asia classic and in the near future it will be the rank of world movie classic. Last I just want to say I never watched a movie that touched my heart so deep even just an old lady (acting as maw's grandma). Hope those folks who eager love so much go to the theater and drink some.

"Beautiful Thing" á la Thai; worth watching but too long

[viaradar · 9/10 · 25 December 2007]

I enjoyed tremendously this coming-of-age Thai film.

It could easily hit the world market if it is wisely edited: 2 hours and 10 minutes is too much for a non-Thai public; the story drags for too long. The script tries to touch some issues that derive the plot from its center. Some scenes are too slow and even reiterative. The casting is good enough as the two boys are cute and the rest of the cast fit their roles with different success. The acting is very credible for the two main characters and also the mother of Tong and the granny of Mew, not that much for the others. The music is an important feature in this film and it is very nice. The placing and moving of the camera is very fresh and helps to enhance the situations. Lighting and photography are good enough. I wish the best to this film and its director.

Pithy and Plentiful

[smokerfour · 9/10 · 25 May 2008]

Just some general commentary as a U.S. viewer watching this movie: It's beautifully directed. I can't comment much on the writing, but as a gay viewer in particular, I really appreciate that the script interweaves two stories: coming out and the coherence of family in a time of grief. The reason I appreciate this is that, even in the U.S., when movies deal with homosexuality, it is generally treated as a singular issue that is separate and distinct from all others. In reality it is one part of the fabric of family and love that comprises everyone's life. Without this key insight, I think the movie would deal with the issue in too patronizing or shallow a manner, as many gay-themed movies do.

Prior to watching I was acutely aware of the commentary that the movie is overlong and not focused enough. There is some truth to this; it is a very long movie for its subject matter. But I think the movie's main strength is in its characters and central subject matter. With too much editing, I could easily see how the core of the movie would be lost. For me personally I was glad the director erred in favor of too much immersion in the interplay between his characters.

As to acting -- clearly I don't speak or understand Thai. But I think some things are universal, like the mother's strength and resolve in times of crisis. And of course Mew's smile. The connection is there.

I loved the movie and I hope it finds its way to broader distribution. If nothing else, the soundtrack should -- it's truly great.

Cheers!

The best

[geoffputerbaugh · 10/10 · 2 January 2009]

I will simply pass on the comments of my Thai friend, who called this movie "The Best Thai Movie Ever Made," and "The Best Gay Film Ever Made." I agree with him on both counts, though I might split the second award with "Maurice." :-)

The acting, direction, and photography are all world-class. In fact, I am trying right now to figure out the personal/business relationships which produced these three superb Thai movies:

(1) Fan Chan, a movie about childhood which upset the entire Thai movie world with its superb quality.

(2) This movie, Rak Haeng Siam, which also contains a long, long prolong seen from the view of kids.

(3) A new movie, which does not yet have an English title (apparently) -- in Thai, "Akha Phuu Naa Rak." One translation might be "The Cute Akha Kid."

All of these movies are magical, excellent productions from Thailand. They have as yet attracted little or no attention from abroad, but they are SUPERB motion pictures. They are all brilliantly photographed, and written with an uncanny insight into the world of kids.

I would also note that, as yet, so far as I know, NONE of these films has been officially released in any language but Thai. (Of course, the Akha film is partially filmed in Akha, with Thai subtitles, but that won't help viewers who cannot speak Thai.)

If you do understand Thai, you now have my Three Great Films List. They are all available on DVD (in Thailand).

A world Love Story

[capram2 · 8/10 · 6 October 2009]

I saw this film this year for the first time. It is a very heart-touching film. I want to be very short on this film. It is a GREAT film about love. About all kinds of love and how important it is to have a family. Hard was to hear the sentence: I can not be your boyfriend, however I love you. Cute actors and nice music. It is a long film: nearly 3 hours. But nice to watch and think. Coming out is in this film is on a natural way. The mother is afraid of loosing her son but she see at the end that the best is to let her son to choose what he wants to be. This film give me a good impression of the way of live in Asia. How people are with each other and the way of greeting each other.

A True Gem

[Sennara · 10/10 · 18 July 2008]

I just finished watching this movie, and I couldn't wait for its debut in Taiwanese theaters in August. In recent years, many Thai movies have become great hits in Taiwan, and I believe this one is going to overwhelm the others, especially with its young, gorgeous actors and actresses in this summer vacation season.

The descriptions of different kinds of love is so real and touching in this film. It's not mostly about gay, but a story of family and friends. After seeing it, you will agree with me.

The actors and actresses in this movie all performed very well. They look like real people in everyday life. The soundtracks are fantastic as well. I will definitely buy its DVD, or even BD, if it's included English or Chinese subtitles.

Over long, Rambling plot which stretches credulity to the point of tediousness.

[supadude2004 · 2/10 · 13 December 2007]

I saw this movie yesterday on the strength of its absurdly strong (keep the home fires burning) review in Bangkok Post. And I was bored senseless by the end of its first hour. To put things into perspective, my favourite Thai movies include Nang Nak, Ai Fak, & Ruang Talok 69. Nonetheless, Rak Haeng Siam meanders along with little in the way of production brilliance, or engaging screenplay: many of its irritatingly pointless scenes left one wondering 'why, oh WHY on earth they even made the final cut?' - as about a third of the movie's takes could have been comfortably omitted without the slightest impact on the overall story! Such production injustices also 'helped' (grrrrr!) make this movie over an hour longer than it should have been. On a positive note, I enjoyed the music in this movie better than any other aspect of same. Nor was the acting bad - despite its almost endlessly rambling screenplay.

My Partner is Thai and would rate it at about 5/10 (And I quote: "not bad, not good"). But I left the cinema feeling that I'd wasted well over two hours of my life, which I'll never claw back. Needless to say, I'll be taking future 'homegrown' Bangkok Post reviews with a large pinch of salt....

A great Thai movie

[vpts · 9/10 · 28 August 2008]

This is one of the best Thailand movies I have ever seen. It's all about love: family love, friendships, etc.

Other reviews already mentioned about the content of the movie. I should focus on something else: the best actor, director, soundtrack.

The best actor is Tong's mother, Sunee. Someone said that there are some characters are only reserved for some actors and someone was born to be portrayed for some characters. It must be Sinjai Plengpanich. She, as Sunee, Tong's mother, is my most favorite character in this movie. Her eyes can deeply express any emotion and mental development of her character. She is a mother who suffered a lot of lost but she is strong enough to overcome all her pain. She became the main person in her family to take care one another member with a big ambition to her son. In some scenes, the mother suppressed her painfulness. Her eyes also show her panic and hopelessness because her only son reserved his love for Mew.

Let's move to the director and writer of the movie, Chookiat Sakveerakul. He impressed me by his sensitive heart and what he had done for this movie. Each detail in the movie was hidden a meaning of life and had strong connection with the content. The way he leaded us to the story was very interesting even the movie string is slow. The last thing is that he was born in 1981. He seems too young to be a great writer and director for a great movie.

And, you should not forget the soundtracks of the movie. The music and songs in this movie are connection spring all details and they express very well what the director expected to transfer to audiences. What a pity that all of soundtracks are still in Thailand language and I do not know when they release the English version. Will I have to wait forever? Each song is a story of the two friends. I can find their stories from their childhood, present and future.

If you love the movie, you will remember this quote "But I believe so much that you can make it because you have so much love for one another. Even thought, sometimes, it seems to be too much that we end up hurting other people. But I believe as time goes by we would agree that there is no such thing as "too much love". Even if we make mistakes along the way, it's better than never having tried to love and be loved. Life always gives us opportunities to start over after we learn from our mistakes. I hope you will take these opportunities and take a good care of one another". Remember that "As long as you love, you will still have hope".

This is a movie that is not to see only one time!

Extremely Amazing

[shizofree · 9/10 · 24 June 2008]

I am normally not a fan of romance stories. It's deluded and fantastical that it raises the viewers' expectations for their own sweet and happy ending. It's a pessimistic point of view but that's the reality I've seen so far, I'm used to it.

Rak Hang Siam (The Love of Siam), a Thai film by Chookiat Sakveerakul, tells an amazing story that cross cultural differences, and this maybe the prime reason why the movie is amazing.

Despite it being located in Bangkok, familiar food, traditions and even localities makes it transcendent towards a broader audience, especially in the Philippines. It feels like a Filipino film without overacting and overrated actors doing their own dramatic sequences. This movie is grounded in subtlety and silent epiphanies, which we never do.

At 2 hours and 59 minutes (Director's Cut) and 2 hours 30 minutes (DVD release), the movie tells about a story about neighbors Mew (Witwisit Hiranyawongkul) and Tong (Mario Maurer) who are separated after the loss of the latter's sister, Tang (Chermarn Boonyasak). Five years later, they cross paths in a commercial district named Siam Square. This district becomes a meeting point between all the main characters. Even in that length of a movie, it's justifiable for its capability of developing the characters involved.

The movie's cinematography is its weak point. Chookiat may be used to horror and thriller films that it sometimes shown within the film, but it's unnoticeable at first. Some metaphors he used could've been better shown in a horror film. Scenes mostly alternate between schools, rooms, studio and Siam Square. It may be that way to express the universality of this film. Product placements are subtle and funny but it fits within the film, iMacs and Pepsi Max mostly.

The cast is amazing. Young Mew and Tong closely resemble the older counterparts while still making Tang and their mother Sunee (Sinjai Plengpanich) look like they are related. Tong's father, Korn (Songsit Rungnopakunsri) looks like a man on the verge of alcoholism. The acting of each character is remarkable. Sinjai, most of all, played an extremely broken woman but still manages to keep her family intact. Witwisit and Mario had noticeable chemistry while still keeping it subtle. I sometimes think that they may be playing characters too young for them. But age was never stated so I forgo the suspicion. The character development is the movie's highest point.

The music is why I watch it repeatedly. As one of the characters are musically inclined, the melodies involved in this movie should be amazing, which I think it is. The movie delivers the music as part of the movie, but not as to intrude the realism. It's not a musical yet, the feelings of the characters are said thru music. Ticket (Day Trip) by Chookiat Sakveerakul & August Band is the arguably the best track of the movie and the OST, followed closely by Gun Lae Gun กันและกัน (Acoustic) sung by Witwisit during the movie but not available in the album. I may not understand the lyrics but the melody itself is enough to make me listen more.

Rak Hang Siam proved itself as an effective film that tells the story of the reality of love. Situations maybe different, but the main point is there. There's always the meeting and a separation, no matter what kind love exist between them.

A Nutshell Review: The Love of Siam

[DICK STEEL · 8/10 · 2 August 2009]

Much have been raved about Matthew Chukiat Sakveerakul's The Love of Siam, and thankfully I had managed to catch this on screen after it's been playing for some time over here on only one screen. Sakveerakul is perhaps more famous here for his thriller 13 Beloved (renamed 13: Game of Death here), but through this film had demonstrated he's equally adept at telling a romance and family drama.

The prologue for the film is somewhat extended, setting the stage for the lead characters. We have Mew (Witwisit Hiranyawongjul) who spends his childhood with his grandmother (Pimpan Buranapim), whose neighbours are a tight knit Catholic family headed by dad Korn (Songsit Roongniphakunsri), domineering mother Sunee (Sinraj Plengpanit), and children Tong (Mario Maurer) and Tang (Laila Boonyasak). A hiking trip resulted in the disappearance of Tang, and the grieving family moves away, temporarily grinding the friendship of the two boys Mew and Tong, to a halt.

Fast forward to today, Mew is now the brains and lead singer behind his huge boy band August, and is being courted by neighbour Ying (Kanya Rattapetch). Tong too faces girlfriend woes, where the school flower and spoilt brat Donut (Aticha Pongsilpipat, in a rather needless role here compared to Rattapetch's) faces a nonchalant Tong and draws an ultimatum of sorts. Sparks fly when the two boys reunite by chance on the streets, sparking into motion a series of events that would inevitably lead to a homosexual romance.

While it's easy to fall into a gimmicky promotional angle using the love between Tong and Mew, this film offered a lot more, especially that between Tong's family members. The missing Tang had caused Korn to become an insufferable alcoholic, while the mother stoically holds the family together, and the last thing she expects is for Tong to develop a liking for Mew. This segment of the story kicked into melodramatic overdrive when mom Sunee, with the help of the boys, convinces their friend June (also played by Laila Boonyasak), a dead ringer for her child, to pose as Tang and to snap Korn out of his depression.

Sakveerakul managed to weave into the narrative the different kinds of love all into one film - the unrequited, first crushes, first love, unconditional ones as given by parents to child, even stand-by-mes encouragement, support as seen by the members of August, and of course, bromance. With the family angle, there's the theme of coming to terms, and learning to let go, which I felt was the richer of the two main threads running through the narrative.

It's a beautiful film, not only because having a bevy of pretty looking cast members helped, but also because it had a wonderful looking set of production sets and values, and while I have to rely on the subtitles to understand the song lyrics, the melodies here are simply marvelous. Korea and Japan had to watch out, because Sakveerakul has shown that Thailand is fast catching up in making heartfelt, coming of age romances that would tug at your heartstrings.

What's more interesting here is that the film is rated M18, without a cut detected, and even more so, the kissing scenes between Mew and Tong were left intact. Many years ago, there would be a straight out censorship snip at the scene to the cutting room floor, and in more recent times, a scene like this would be shortened and slapped with an R21 rating. An M18 rating for this seemed to point to a relaxation of the rules, though A Frozen Flower had demonstrated that sex between men are still snipped and slapped with an R21 rating.

Impressed by my first Thai drama

[Mike-DD · 10/10 · 24 July 2011]

I seldom write reviews, and if I write one, it's usually cos it's a 10+ movie I've watched at least 3 times (and for this, it's 3 times in 3 days!).

I've only recently started watching Thai movies available here in the last few years, and those were usually supernatural thrillers or horror films (with the exception of Beautiful Boxer, which I didn't watch).

I'm thoroughly smitten with this film. Though not technically perfect, I was simply so engrossed by the story, charmed by the innocent boys, rooting for the protagonists from the second half of the story that when the end came, I didn't even realise almost 3 hours had passed.

There is no sex in the movie, not even sexual tension, which simply made it better for me. But what it does have are tender scenes that simply melt or break the heart - not just the scenes with Mew and Tong, but also the scenes with Tong and his mother, between his parents, his father and June, even some of the scenes with the band.

It's not perfect, but to correct the sometimes jerky way in which the film plods along and then suddenly speeds up would mean a much longer film (which I am not against anyway). The gay teen romance seems to suddenly go from nothing to something to nothing again within a few scenes involving both boys. the father seems to recover much too quickly - seemingly within a few days of plot time. But I was so caught up by the feelings induced that I never thought about them till I sat down to write this review.

It is upbeat, fun, yet sad and bittersweet. It manages to weave the complexities of various relationships into a coherent story, and has made me ponder too my own relationships, feelings of loneliness even when among friends and family, and what I would do when I am caught in the same situation.

Will it do the same for you?