Reviews

If you're in the mood for a hilarious, thoughtful rom-com, try "Yes or No" (YON). It's billed as the first Thai movie about lesbians, but really it's more about that journey to find one's self and that most nerve-wracking of experiences, first love. Finding a copy with good English subtitles can be a bit of a challenge but it's worth the effort. A movie with a leading butch character is rare, but don't watch it just for that. Watch it because it'll make you laugh long and loud and maybe get you a little teary-eyed at some parts too. Though tame even by Asian standards, YON manages, with a few kisses, meaningfully clasped hands and hugs, to spin a very sweet love story.

The plot isn't all that unique for this kind of movie but it's in the way the story is told, in ways that are in turns humorous and touching, that raises YON above the usual formulaic rom-com. YON is funny but for all its humor, the movie isn't set in a happy fantasy world where a declaration of gayness is met with open arms. It manages to address several issues affecting gay youth, but mostly with a subtle, light touch.

This movie definitely wouldn't work without the chemistry of its two adorable leads, Aom Sucharat Manaying (as Pie) and then-newcomer Tina Supanard Jittaleela (as Kim). Aom is obviously the better and more experienced actor, and her ability provides a good balance for the times when Tina's acting is awkward. Despite her shortcomings though, it's Tina who provides Kim with that vulnerable charm that will have dozens of girls rushing to comfort her. YON has a few heavy, emotional scenes that tend to hit hard, and it's to both actors' credit that when one such pivotal scene comes around, they absolutely nail it.

Imagine Me and You is one of those movies that will have you smiling. I generally don't like romantic comedies because of the usual reasons, lots of clichés and so on, but this movie shows that if it's done well there's no better way of spending a couple of hours. Pacing, story, acting, chemistry, humor, a little drama - everything's here in just the right dose. Considering the genre and the main plot, there's also one cliché that's noticeably absent - there's no bad guy (literally)! The male characters are decent guys, not ogres, specially the character played by Matthew Goode. Even if you're totally sympathetic to Rachel and Luce, Rachel's predicament will come across as completely understandable. It's also refreshing to see a movie where grown women and men are actually trying their best to act like adults. I agree with one of the comments below though, how can this deserve an R rating?! There's barely more than kissing.

Ten stars for being thoroughly enjoyable!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie, but I'm definitely glad I saw it and I can't believe they banned it! There should be more Filipino movies like this.

"Tuli" (circumcision) is, strangely enough, a story about two women who live in a small village, friends since childhood, who gradually manage to fall in love. Which is not to say that it doesn't take up a number of social issues, and there are quite a few - wife/child-beating, the almost casual chauvinism towards women and equally commonplace homophobia, the way men will make fun of a guy who doesn't fit/seem macho enough and so on, but somehow these manage to become just the backdrop to the stories of Daisy, Nanding and Botchok. The movie handles these events in the same, almost matter-of-fact way Daisy does; she experiences or witnesses them everyday, but deftly tries to find a way to live a life true to herself despite them.

The movie's got a wonderful, wry sense of humor. The scene where Daisy rattles off one-word descriptions of each guy's penis to Botchok is hilarious! At the same time, "Tuli" refuses to be black-and-white simple. For example, it shows Daisy's mother genuinely grieving when her husband dies, even though he used to beat them up.

The scenes between Daisy and Botchok are sensual without being graphic. This is not the movie for people who want to see a lot of skin-on-skin girl play. There's no nudity, but there manages to be passion and fun.

"Tuli" is not perfect. The whole pagan sub-story felt out of place, and there are points where it gets slow and seems self-conscious about being an indie art film. That said, it deserves an extra star for having been made at all. If you can find a copy with English subtitles, give it a try.