From Negative to Positive, Still Only a Fantasy
Personally being only the second Thai film (first being Ong Bak) I've seen, Last Life in The Universe is an impressive film for its visual beauty, character development, and performances. Beautifully shot by the famous cinematographer, Christopher Doyle, and directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, this Thai film again shows that United States isn't the only nation that can produce well-made cinema.
The strongest aspect of LLITU is acting, especially the female lead Sinitta Boonyasak playing Noi and male lead Asano Tadanobu as Kenji. Sinitta Boonyasak is so natural. Perhaps her lack of acting experience helped, not yet having formed any methodical techniques. Aside from being stunningly beautiful, her character speaks with her entire body; like the laziness of her body movement, the restlessness of her limbs that look hung on the sofa chairs.
I've only seen two films of Asano Tadanobu (another being Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl), and he's reminding me of a sharper (and relatively more handsome) looking Song, Kangho (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance - 복수는 나의것). I like the movie mainly because of the actors, and Asano is the biggest reason. His unassuming, overly polite characteristics help provide his cultural background, and learning Kenji's sincerity is indeed honest, one starts to really care for him.
As for Doyle and Ratanaruang, they did a great job of developing the characters with visuals and direction of the actors. However, as a whole, it didn't quite work for me. Maybe Doyle's work stood too much on his own and didn't merge with the film completely, as where as the director's honesty ended prematurely for the sake of whatever he was trying to achieve as the movie reached its end.
Regardless, LLITU is a great film if you've just started watching art-house type films. I still like the film for what it is: a polished looking drama with hopes of achieving something great in the process of working with competent talents. The film has respectful shallowness, and I don't mean that in a negative way, but rather from minor disappointments that became greater as a whole.
I'm really looking forward to watching more Thai films.
- Posted by chanhee
- October 3, 2005
- TOP