Rak haeng Siam

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.

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!!

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!!!

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.

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.