Phi chai
(Thailand, 2014)
English title: My Bromance
Directed by Nitchapoom Chaianun
I’m not sure what to rate this weepy soap-operatic GTM from Thailand since its commitment to its own melodramatic conventions ? I mean, there’s a gay pop star, brothers falling in love, angst-ridden confrontations with parents, a car accident, a brain tumor, a beard, promise rings and a teary goodbye at graveside ? all those and also its gay-positive message seem sincere. I wasn’t unmoved, either, despite some fast-forwarding, by the central conflict. It’s impressive for the young actors to retain their innocent look, chaste demeanor and their dignity despite being over-directed and put into absurd and sometimes borderline lurid situations. I haven’t seen enough Thai movies like this to know if they constitute a genre, although it’s clear the film aspires for the sensitive quintessence of the almost-an-art-film L'amour du Siam, a sprawling, popular and also sincere gay-teen melodrama covering similar territory. For fans of these films and of boys like these, I’d say this is a must-see but don’t expect any revelations. Or any sex, either. But it’s aimed at teens anyway. This is as close as it gets.
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