Movies

This review is based on the American cut of Suriyothai, apparently supervised by Frank Ford Coppola. Without benefit of a viewing of the original version, it's hard to pass judgement, but in my opinion, Coppola has done the film no favours. Additionally, the pan and scan print currently airing on cable looks seriously compromised. Western audiences will be lost by the array of characters and the film's episodic nature makes it very hard to appreciate or understand their motivations. Suriyothai also suffers from overactive cinematography, with endless tracking shots, annoying use of slow-mo, and an over reliance on slow zooms. Richard Harvey's soundtrack is paint by numbers stuff, though the contemporary pop song over the end credits is rather nice. All in all, I can't recommend this film, though the original version is undoubtedly superior.

This is a very appealing film for dreamy people easily stirred by beautifully exotic costumes, some compellingly exotic actresses and a few scenes of relentless brutality. The story is complex (and at times downright bewildering) but fascinating, taking place in many places and involving many characters. We get a heavy dose of intrigue, assassination plots, adultery, regicide and betrayal spanning a dozen or so years in the heart of medieval siam (now thailand). By virtue of just that, the movie is worthwhile. But the sometimes dreary, monotone delivery of lines makes the film feel like it was dragging. Though I don't understand a word of thai, the dialogue seemed annoyingly but frequently devoid of sentiment. With sizable patience and curiosity though, this movie can be a rewarding experience.

history page. beautiful show. preoccupation for nuances. huge project , romantic slices, plots, love, heroic scenes, battles and story of a queen as reflection of sacrifice spirit and love for country. sure, it is more a subject of Thai pride. but, in same measure, an admirable work. at first step but this step is remarkable. for measure, for images, for nuances of tale, for science to create a window to Orient far from basic recipes of exoticism. it is a mega - production who preserves its identity. a testimony of charming potential of South Asian cinema to give a different product by Bollywood . and the fact is not insignificant. portrait of Thai XVI century, it is a beautiful jewelery, really impressive for each its part.