Love Stuck

I must say that I watched Love Stuck before The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (MTPT), and I discovered that even though the core themes are similar, the focus of the two countries makes the storylines completely different, like watching unrelated films.

MTPT has a slow burn pacing, warm and heartfelt, teaching the importance of "using time" and "escaping time" in a natural and pure way. It highlights the tiny perfect things around us with a magical touch.

Love Stuck touches on tiny moments just enough, highly respects the original, and includes new scenes that fit the Thai context, but it doesn't create as much magic as the original. However, the magic of the Thai version shines in the family drama part (which MTPT barely explores, only touching on it lightly). This part is more intense and relatable, potentially enough to bring you to tears. It's a shame that the director didn't delve deeper into this aspect because it would have made the film perfect, but it's understandable as it might have strayed too far from the original.

Love Stuck has a faster pace than MTPT, making it more fun and lively, but it might be hard for some to keep up. Once you do, though, you'll be engrossed in the well-defined, colorful characters more than in MTPT. However, the ending of Love Stuck is rather abrupt and underwhelming, despite the spectacular New Year's Eve light show scene (while MTPT only had a simple rain scene but ended better). One reason might be the dialogue, which lacks smoothness and coolness, which I personally think is the film's biggest flaw.

In terms of acting, all the actors did a great job. The adjustment of the male lead to be the "brightness" pulling the female lead out of her loop, and making the female lead more "gloomy" and nerdy, made the story flow better than expected. However, the sci-fi elements are still unclear, similar to the original.

Love Stuck is a successful remake, fun, comprehensive, and respectful of the original. Though not perfect, with some rough edges in editing and dialogue, it's a film worth watching when you want to relax at home, find a quiet spot, and watch something heartwarming but impactful enough to make you reflect on yourself.

This remake is genuinely commendable, capturing the essence of the original film while excelling in certain aspects. The portrayal of the "family" dynamic stands out, filled with tenderness and charm that truly tugs at the heartstrings. The warmth and love among the characters create an intimate atmosphere that feels both relatable and comforting.

However, the editing and transitions between scenes could use a bit more finesse. While the overall presentation isn't bad, some moments feel slightly awkward and lack natural flow. That said, there are also beautifully crafted scenes that showcase the filmmakers' talent.

As for whether this film is worth watching, absolutely! The powerful message resonates deeply, leaving you with a sense of warmth and reassurance. It's the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits roll, reminding you of the importance of family, love, and connection. If you're seeking something heartfelt with a meaningful narrative, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.

The film has a strong and commendable start!

Launching straight into its story without slowing down for heavy exposition, and it trusts the audience to catch up as it develops.

At its core, it is more of an emotional journey with a small sci-fi element. The lead characters' chemistry isn't explosive, but it feels genuine. I liked the entire cast, the production, cinematography and execution in general is very good!

However, I felt the pace gives way to an unfortunate lull early on, as the story slows down a bit too much when you get up to speed. Mostly with "clunky" interactions, and some awkward moments. And while the emotional beats later in the film help it regain some lost momentum, it's a shame it feels underwritten. This is mostly due to the lack of "meat" in this movie hamburger.

In-between the cool premise and the emotional scenes, it explores an interesting idea in seeking "perfect moments". Fleeting, impactful instances that would normally go unnoticed by those without the time and mindset to pay attention. And while the concept should be THE most memorable parts of the film, they left me wanting. They should have been more impactful and/or artistic.. balancing the mundane with the profound, and offering moments of reflection on life's small beauties. More time should have been given to make these better!!

Lastly, the film's climax hinges on a "scientific" revelation that it's hard to sell. It's visually clever, but predictable.. and somewhat forced the outcome(?). So, as the film never quite reaches the heights I would have loved for it to reach.. I would still recommend it, as it felt fresh, even for a Groundhog-Day fan. You'll like it if you enjoy romantic stories with a dash of creativity, but know it is missing a layer of "more" that would make it truly memorable.. even if it is visually impressive.

And I still haven't gone back to watch the last 10 - 15 minutes. It is not a bad film. It is pretty good, PLEASANT, one of the better films that will put you to sleep. Here is a first: I mostly agree with everything every other imdb review says. It helps that there are only three of them and the three reviews are similar. As they said, the characters are good, esp the main guy and his sister, story is interesting, some of the visuals are great. Problems are as others said, clunky interactions, issues with consistency, awkward moments, wea editing for scene transitions. Dialogue also seemed blah, but maybe that was just laziness by the people doing the subtitles.

Then it really slowed down and dragged on getting to the ending, putting me to sleep. Part of the problem was that I figured out the girl's "backstory" almost exactly very early. Not sure why I did. I wasn't really trying to. It just hit me. From that point on, the slow way they worked to reveal it was tedious for me.

Give it a chance, but don't expect Science Fiction, Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, awesome dialogue / subtitles or action.