This hybrid movie is composed primarily of fictional feature film elements mixed with documentary elements. I liked that style. One character, Cliff, a college nemesis of Thomas who comes to seek out the sex industry, brings a video handicam, which he turns on his subjects and himself. The black and white footage the character shoots is shown in the film, including street footage taken from the back of a small motorcycle and footage of his dark escapades in the back rooms of the brothels.
Seeing the movie, I felt very repelled by the child prostitution issue. There are a couple of very challenging, very true-to-life scenes viewers must get through. They're tough to watch but are important to include. I really appreciated this movie. There are some beautiful scenes of Angkor Wat that help to soften the hard and realistic social issues this movie delves into. And the goodness of the ordinary people of Cambodia and its Buddhist cultural roots shine through in Monsoon Wife, particularly through the character of Teeda, the heart of the film. One important scene occurs when Thomas returns home feeling degraded after taking Cliff to brothels. He comes into his apartment to find both Teeda and Crystal asleep under mosquito netting. Thomas may still be uncertain about what he wants and who he wants to be with, but this image forces him to come to terms with his desires and grow up. I've traveled throughout SE Asia, and this is a good movie to give people a very good idea of the beauty and the tragedy of this region.
Seeing the movie, I felt very repelled by the child prostitution issue. There are a couple of very challenging, very true-to-life scenes viewers must get through. They're tough to watch but are important to include. I really appreciated this movie. There are some beautiful scenes of Angkor Wat that help to soften the hard and realistic social issues this movie delves into. And the goodness of the ordinary people of Cambodia and its Buddhist cultural roots shine through in Monsoon Wife, particularly through the character of Teeda, the heart of the film. One important scene occurs when Thomas returns home feeling degraded after taking Cliff to brothels. He comes into his apartment to find both Teeda and Crystal asleep under mosquito netting. Thomas may still be uncertain about what he wants and who he wants to be with, but this image forces him to come to terms with his desires and grow up. I've traveled throughout SE Asia, and this is a good movie to give people a very good idea of the beauty and the tragedy of this region.