Mah nakorn (2004) User Reviews

Nutty ecstasy, Thai-style

[Jay_Exiomo · 7/10 · 11 November 2006]

It's soufflé meets tom yum. The comparisons are inevitable but while Wisit Sasanatieng's "Citizen Dog" ("Mah Nakorn") does seem to have been heavily influenced by Jean-Pierre Jeunet's sleeper "Amelie", this surrealistically delightful Thai comedy has enough merits of its own to set it apart from its French counterpart.

Screened as part of the International Film Competition of this year's Cinemanila Film Festival, "Citizen Dog" tells the story of Pod (Mahasamut Boonyaruk), a young country man who moves to Bangkok and ends up working on a sardine cannery. After a freak accident where he loses (and eventually regains) one of his fingers, he quits his job and becomes a security guard for another company where he meets and falls in love with Jin (Saengthong Gate-Uthong), a company maid who's obsessed with romance stories in magazines, and an enigmatic white book written in words no one seems to understand.

And what ensues is a movie that, for the most part, knows its essential qualities and plays up to its charming oddity and energetic mood that should suit well to the viewer who knows what s/he's in for. The film's quirky nature can be overbearing at times what with Sasanatieng's script that tends to be inconsistent in some parts. But with such a cheery nature that's eager to please, the end result is nevertheless a fulfilling enchantment. The cinematography and production design introduces Bangkok not as the coarse metropolis I was acquainted with during my stay there earlier this year, but rather a city of eccentric fantasy that lends a euphoric quality to the analogous world it presents. The witty employment of various cinematic tricks and giddy soundtrack keep the tone light.

While most of the speaking parts belong to Pen-Ek Ratanaruang as the film's narrator, Boonyaruk effortlessly portrays the lead character's mix of audacity and romanticism. Gate-Uthong ably compliments that with her character's impassive feeling towards Pod. Their characters' fate is as obvious as the film's frivolous traits but you can't help but feel for them anyway.

Then again, "Citizen Dog" isn't for everyone. You have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy its quirkiness and be able to laugh with it. As the film tells us, when you stop looking, the thing you're looking for will find you. Ditto. Let the film do its thing and its charm will sneak its way inside you.

Amelie Cranked to 11!

[mcnally · 7/10 · 28 January 2006]

I saw this film at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. I'd heard some buzz around this film, that it was sort of a Thai Amelie. In fact, it's Amelie cranked up to 11. Which is entirely too much. This film is absolutely overstuffed with whimsy. A narrator tells us the story of country boy Pod, who comes to Bangkok to find work and falls in love with Jin. Along the way, he loses and then finds his finger, drives around a chainsmoking talking teddy-bear as well as a man who licks everything, and shares his house with a gecko that has the face of his dead grandmother. If that's not enough, the object of his desire is an obsessive neat freak who carries around a book written in Italian that she can't read. A case of mistaken identity sends her off on an environmental crusade that results in her accumulating a mountain (literally, a mountain) of plastic water bottles. Will this pair find love in the end? Well, by the end, I didn't care that much.

The problem was that the visual tricks and whimsy overwhelm the characters, who end up being nothing more than a collection of quirks. The constant voice-over also never really lets the characters tell their own stories, and the romance never feels believable.

Sasanatieng is obviously a director of huge talent, and there are quite a few great sight gags and some really original visuals. But there's just far too much of it. It's like eating a whole chocolate cake at one sitting. If he could tone down the trickery a bit, and find a story with real characters, he could one day make a really outstanding film. This isn't it yet, but I hope he does it.

Too much

[ignaciobernardez · 7/10 · 24 April 2006]

In the first scene, we noticed that the director must be a Jean Pierre Jeunet fan. This is not bad. I really appreciate that but there are too much coincidences and resources already seen on Amélie. It's very interesting the way the colors are used. The descriptions of the protagonists is very similar to Jeunet most popular film. It seems to me a bit long in duration but there are some scenes very laughing and gallant. Maybe this young director could find a more consistent script for his next film and not to exaggerate with some resources that are, if so much used, boring. Despite the things I described, I really enjoyed the film. I laugh in several scenes and applaud when the film was finished.

I LOVED this movie!

[adambehr · 9/10 · 14 October 2005]

In a world of derivative, colorless copycats, this was breath of fresh air. It was a small masterpiece in my view. Simultaneously funny, strange, charming, and blissfully shocking at times.

From the very first frame I was thoroughly entertained, and the absurdity was refreshing and often wildly hilarious in it's originality.

It has an underlying sentimentality which went on a little bit long - otherwise I would have given this fantastic show a 10! Most shocking to me here however, was the fact that other comments about the film in this section show how far this went over some people's heads- and that they just didn't get it.

This film is a jewel - I want to buy it when it comes out on DVD - and the music is catchy and hilarious.

surreal and sweet love story

[glennaa11 · 9/10 · 8 July 2007]

I loved this movie. It's finally out on DVD with English subtitles which is how I got to see it. The other comments basically explain the plot. I was totally won over by the vivid colors and the simple love story that is central to the film and the absurd story elements. I haven't seen Amelie so I can't compare it as everyone else has done. I thought the acting of the leads was great. It can't be easy to play these characters, especially Pod who is often blank but at the same time you can see the wheels turning in his head. I suppose I am biased since I love Bangkok and the Thais, but even with all of the crazy plot lines and quirks I found the film to be charming. And of course having the song "Before" by ModernDog woven throughout the film made me love it even more. Definitely not a film for everyone, but as some one who sees a lot of indie movies I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lots of whimsy

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 27 April 2008]

Pod moves from the country to Bangkok. there he gets a job at a sardine company, meets Jin a maid with whom he falls in love,and eventually becomes a celebrity because he is the only one in the city with out a tail.(I'm leaving out the white book,the finger, the job shifts, the rain of helmets, the plastic mountain, the royal princess, tails, reincarnation and 9 or 10 other things) Off the wall fantasy romance environmental comedy with music. This is the sort of thing that could never get made in the United States and could only come out of Asia. I don't mean that as a put down, only that outside of the West people are more willing to let movies be what ever they are.

At turns charming, surreal, funny and too much this is a very wild movie. It drops you into its own little world and keeps you there. I have no idea how to describe it other than its its own animal and unlike any film that has ever been made outside of Thailand (I've seen some Thai films that are equally loopy). The music is good. the sentiment is sweet. All of the weird things that happen just seem to be taken in stride and its wonderful.

It also can be a bit overwhelming. Frankly by the time I put in the second VCD I was getting worn out. Too much whimsy for my taste. Actually its not the whimsy so much as some plot shifts that lengthen the story for no good reason (some of the environmental/Peter plot line seems to just go on) and the film seems to be running not so much in its own time but an allotted time.

If you can take the film for what it is and let it sweep over you like a tsunami then you'll probably have a good time. Definitely worth a look for those who hate the run of the mill.

funny, original and ambitious

[dumsumdumfai · 9/10 · 18 September 2005]

yes this movie reminds me of Amelie of a few years back but only on some of the techniques. The sardine factor reminds me of the opening scene in Joe vs. the Volcano. (Another wonderful film) And even the central story is not original, the way the director told it is absolutely fabulous. However, the story is told by a third person narrator so this may turn some people off. And I suspect there are some local sayings, plus loads of little bits of side tracks and idiosyncratic characters that I failed to understand. The movie also tries to address, or touch on many issues, some social, some environmentatl, and some personal I suspect.

I saw this at the end of a very long film fest of some very serious, slow paced, well-intentioned, low-budgeted not well-used, and on top, very personal movies. So this was a tension release for me and great fun to watch.

Also, watch for the band playing the theme song at the end when the credits roll.

Here's a joke for you....

[nothing_important · 7/10 · 8 January 2008]

Q: How many plastic water bottles are consumed in the USA daily? A: Approx. 2 millions !

Seriously, this movie has some engaging elements but is light-hearted fare, perfect for a day of nice weather but you are still needing your cinematic fix! When it was finished I felt refreshed and energized. There isn't really anything to spoil but I'll tread lightly nonetheless.

Colors abound, there is a spunky score, some REAL jokes but thoroughly adult. Overly-sentimental this film IS NOT. Its honest and doesn't get preachy either. Perhaps its just that its a foreign film's slightly different style, but this American was smiling the whole time.

Vote: 7

The perfect romantic comedy - Thai style.

[vanguard98 · 10/10 · 3 July 2005]

Granted the setting is vastly different (contemporary Bangkok) and there's not a drop of blood to be seen, "Citizen Dog" is a brilliant sophomore work from the director of "Tears of the Black Tiger" -- one of the best and most original movies I've seen in the last ten years.

Retaining the odd color schemes in a somewhat muted form, and excellent choice of soundtracks, this movie is really a lot of fun. A large ensemble of bizarre characters completes the picture including a dead motorcycle taxi driver, an amnesiac addicted to licking things, and a talking, chain-smoking teddy bear.

Follow the adventures of Pod as he moves to Bangkok from the country, takes a number of different jobs and meets Jin, the girl of his dreams. Along the way, a number of really weird things happen and everyone gets a tail, but hey, love's like that.

Wonderful

[marta2046 · 10/10 · 16 February 2007]

I absolutely loved this film!

Difficult to describe, but like a cross between AMELIE (France) (without the super expensive CGI), TASTE OF TEA (Japan) and perhaps a bit of CHUNGKING EXPRESS (Hong Kong) (with quieter cinematography instead of Chris Doyle's kinetic style.)

So visually rich it can even be enjoyed without subtitles, although what it has to say is important.

I can't wait to see this director's other films: TEARS OF THE BLACK TIGER, and particularly THE UNSEEABLE, a supernatural horror that is getting rave reviews.

This film was shot on HIGH-DEF, yet looks better that most American films shot on 35mm.

It just goes to show that it is not budget that determines a great film, but TALENT, HEART and VISION.

Amelie in Thai

[Needfire · 1/10 · 14 September 2005]

I felt that I was brutalized by this film. This was a rip off of Amelie. There are moments that defy good taste and good sense. While the main characters are very attractive, they lack charm. I didn't care about them. There is the young woman with OCD who rearranges the cans and jars in the cupboards so that the labels all face out. Her would be suitor looks at her with loving though vacuous eyes.

The subplots don't help either. Is there something in the water that makes these people so insipid? A little girl who doesn't get enough attention at home takes cab rides to arcades so that she can shoot things. She has a talking bear that is hard drinking and chain smoking. There is another couple that has fallen in love after meeting on a packed bus.

I was annoyed by the characters who are self-absorbed and silly. Why is Bangkok so cartoonish? Does any audience ever need the intrusion of a constant voice over? Why must this film also have an annoyingly shrill soundtrack? Unselfish love is a noble goal; don't let anyone you love see this film.

A Nutshell Review: Citizen Dog

[DICK STEEL · 10/10 · 13 August 2006]

Oh my, I love this movie so much, and I'm wondering where should my gushing start from. Director Wisit Sasanatieng has weaved yet another beautiful film in terms of visuals in this romance-fantasy story, and it's not difficult to see the progression and retention of the plus points made from his earlier feature Tears of the Black Tiger.

Perhaps first the storyline. It's quirky and bizarre, fit for a fairy tale like structure in terms of narrative style. Yet at the same time it's uplifting, inspirational and provides plenty of hope. Key to the plot is the aged old saying that when you're always looking for something, you'll never find it, but once you stopped searching, it'll appear right in front of you. This will be the central theme throughout the movie, at times made up of seemingly separate segments touching on the different lives that our hero Pod (Mahasamut Boonyaruk) encounters. Many of the bizarreness of the city are seen through the innocent eyes of Pod, a country bumpkin who left his country home to journey to Bangkok in search for a better life.

And it's a pretty pastel coloured world, adding a surreal sense to all the happenings in Pod's life, throughout his work as a packer in a sardine factory, a security guard, and a taxi driver. In a number of decisions that he makes, he does it for his love, Jin (Saengthong Gate- Uthong), who works as a maid in the same company. Jin, an obsessive compulsive with cleanliness, however, is the pragmatist, and doesn't think that their current financial status would allow them to lead a comfortable life together. Hence it's a constant pursuit for Pod, as Jin gets very sidetracked with her aims in life - as an environmental activist as well as to find out the true meaning of her mysterious white book.

Narrated by fellow Thai filmmaker Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, the opening credits played to an addictive song, signals that it's one heck of a ride. There are plenty of endearing, funny, and kooky characters that populate the city. from a young girl who smokes and swears, a licker, a taxi-motorcyclist, and even Pod's Grandmother all make this dream-like Bangkok, something worth highlighting. There are loads of wonderful songs included to help move the narrative along, since dialogue by the leads, especially in the beginning, is kept to a minimum.

There are plenty of special effects and techniques used to complement the beautiful, colourful cinematography, and even animation and stop motion puppetry were used to bring some characters to life. The art direction too is top notch, and the sets are always a sight to behold. The jokes come fast and furious, and mostly through the playing out of the innocence and dreams of Pod, literal as well as figural, as he tries to make sense of this new world he lives in.

This is a highly recommended movie, and I think I'll try to look for its DVD. Wisit Sasanatieng is currently at the helm of a (locally funded?) production called Armful, and going by his track record, I sure would be interested to see his spin on a martial arts movie.

Underwhelming

[asgeir-b · 1/10 · 26 October 2006]

This movie tries hard to be quirky and surreal without succeeding and instead falls flat on its face from scene 1. The story is very weak, all the time going into supposedly funny and surreal directions, seemingly due to a lack of plot. The characters are unengaging and uninteresting, and the funny bits aren't funny. It is beautifully shot, but this doesn't help when there is absolutely no meaning to it all. The point that you won't find love until you stop looking so hard for it is hammered in from the very beginning, and gets tiring and annoying. The similarities to Amélie (which I loved) are obvious, but where that movie was genuinely fun and heart-warming this movie just feels contrived.