This 2003 movie, a collaboration between versatile Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano and Thai director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is definitely a beautiful and well-crafted movie. Named tagged as the Asian Lost in Translation, it explores the strange and silent relationship between two people.

Plot:

Asano stars as Kenji, a seemingly shy and soft-spoken librarian who works in Bangkok for the Japan Foundation. It seems like his only interest in life is to commit suicide but…unfortunately, he is interrupted at every attempt. Not only that, but his brother seems to be a yakuza member who’s pissed off the father of some girl he slept with.

Nid and Noi are two sisters who are having difficulties because Noi is mad at Nid for sleeping with her old boyfriend. Nid works as a bunny-eared hostess at an adult club that Kenji’s brother frequents. One day, Kenji sees Nid in her school uniform at the library he works in and becomes somewhat interested in her. One night, when Kenji attempts suicide again it happens to be the night his brother is killed by an assassin. Kenji however, manages to shoot him and hides them under the coffee table (I believe this is a reference to Ratanaruang’s black comedy, 6ixty 9ine). As Nid and Noi are arguing, Nid gets out in the heat of anger and gets distracted by Kenji standing on top of the railings of a bridge ready to jump. In that moment, she gets hit by a car - Kenji witnesses this and somewhat unwillingly rushes to help Noi carry her to the hospital. Awkwardly at first and grudgingly, they become companions having both lost their siblings. Since Kenji has nowhere to go back to (a bunch of dead bodies…) and no one he knows, he and Noi end up living together at her house.

The segment where they live together is visually interesting, beautiful and bittersweet. Neither of them fluently speak each other’s language but they patiently communicate and silently live in their own ways with each other.

Jon, Noi’s abusive and pervy boyfriend comes back and starts beating her after learning that she’s been living with Kenji. Kenji stumbles upon this and beats the crap out of Jon, of course. He may look shy and awkward but he’s obviously hiding some secret and a talent of being skillfully violent. Kenji still seems to have some suicidal complex when he tries to convince Noi to run him over with her car but gradually as they get closer (without speaking very much), he seems to care about her and decides to leave for Japan with her. Unfortunately, the yakuza back in Japan has figured out the disappearance of their assassin and comes looking for Kenji’s brother. They show up at his apartment, with Jon who intends to kill Kenji and Kenji himself, who needs to go back there to get his passport. What happens? Can Kenji finally be with Noi? Watch and see.

Review:

I’m a mediocre movie watcher in both American and indie/foreign films but I catch what interests me when I can. This isn’t a very action oriented movie by far, it’s got violence no doubt but the general feeling of it is tranquility, silence and an undercurrent of calm. I don’t think that it’s that much like Lost in Translation. The two people who come together have a different connection with each other. It’s hard to explain, but upon watching both movies I think the differences can be seen.

The cinematography by Christopher Doyle is excellent, if anything - I would re-watch the movie just for that. His colours, along with the beautiful scenery makes this movie very memorable for me. Also, Kenji and Noi’s relationship becomes rather sweet towards the end and you find yourself rooting for them. This is the kind of movie that has an ending that can be interpreted in various ways. The music is also very good, it’s ambient but suits the movie perfectly. Asano has been called the Johnny Depp of Japan, I’m not sure about that but it’s certainly true that he’s been in a number of various roles. He is a fine actor who holds up the movie deftly and there’s a touch of comedy about him.

Although the plot may not be to everyone’s taste, as the story is basically about two people, it’s great if you’re in a slightly melancholy mood. And as Kenji’s storybook goes, even a lizard living with its enemies is better than being alone.

Tags: japan, last life in the universe, movie review, pen ek ratanaruang, tadanobu asano, thai

Category: Japan

A. Papillon is not amused.