Friday 16 April 2021

Movie Review: Dew (2019)


MyDramaList



Dew The Movie, written and directed by Ma-Deaw Chookiat Sakveerakul, is a story between two teenage boys, Pop (pronounced as phop, is played by Nont Sadanont Durongkavarojana) and Dew (played by Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee), living in the province in times that being homosexual is not accepted in the society. Many years after they met again but in unexpected way. Will they end up each other? Source 

The movie is available to stream in Netflix.


IMDb


🚨🚨WARNING: SPOILER ALERT🚨🚨

In this part I will summarize the movie as I see and understand it.


The movie starts in 1996, in Pang Noi, as Dew, with his Walkman listening to a lively music, dancing as he walks, then Pop, driving a motorcycle, almost hit Dew while walking. Pop stopped and called Dew and asked if he wants to go with him in the motorcycle. After they have arrived at their school, Dew and Pop change their uniform for it was wet because of the rain while they are on their way to their school. Pop changed into the PE uniform Dew gave him, while Dew changed into his Cheerleading uniform. Because of AIDS was spreading that fast that time, the country asked the schools for the 'homosexual' students to register into a camp where psychiatrist and soldiers will train them. It was not specific on what type of training that they have but based on what the students in the movie looked after the camp, it looks like they were force to do extreme exercises or drills. 

The both of them became close friends after that day, they're even dance partners in their PE class.  

Media and Society


The next scene is in February of 1997. Pop and Dew hangout by the park. Then they talked into going to Chiang Mai. In there they did a lot of stuff. They both bought Pagers and have classes with their friends. Pop taught Dew how to ride a motorcycle, but Dew doesn't want to learn because he wants Pop to just drive for him. The two of them fought then Pop left him. Dew was left walking back. Pop came back and said sorry for what he'd done.

May 1997, the start of a new school year. Pop does not talk to Dew because of what happened between them. Dew punched Pop because he can't accept of what he really is. After both of their parents was called, Dew and his mother had a painful scene together, his mother was driving, softly crying while Dew is talking to him. Pop, however was also punched by his own father. We see both of them having no ally in this situation. The next day, rumors starting to spread that Dew forced himself to Pop, then his classmates started to bully him. Putting trash and writing to his table 'Faggot', 'Go to Hell', 'Ladyboy', and some other painful words to his table.

Now in the present, 2019. We see Pop (now played by Weir Sukollawat Kanarot) driving with his wife Orn (played by Yarinda Bunnag). We see him now as the schools new teacher. Then enter Lew (played by Pahn Darisa Karnpoj), a troublemaker and disobedient student. We see her hanging out with other students just outside the school premises, smoking e-cigarettes or vape. Then we'll see both of them in the car together because Lew was caught, and he was asked by Mrs. Ratchani, the schools principal, to make sure that she will go to school directly in the morning. After weeks of them being together as teacher and student, Lew's grades went up and her behavior is changing. It was said after the principal called Pop to inform him of the evaluation that they've done to him, and there's only one more evaluation needed for him to be a regular teacher, that is to make his students to attend any academic activity. Then Pop invited Lew to come to Chiang Mai to attend a Science Quiz bee competition, which she agreed on. 

After loosing in the competition, Lew hanged out with her friends again in the mountains, which made Pop calmly furious when he called her. He's starting to see Dew in her, and he test it with a song that Dew knew, and Lew explained the song in the class like she know the song at all. 

We're taken back in 1999. We're now informed on what really happened back then. Pop's brother informed him that Dew died because of a car accident. Which made him cry silently in the backseat of his brothers car.

Back at the present. Pop is now a full-time teacher. Then we see all of them (Pop, Lew and Lew's boyfriend) in the principals office, where both Pop and Lew's boyfriend have bruises in their face. Then we'll see Lew looking at the corner of the office, like it was somewhat feels familiar to her, like he was there before but she can't remember when. The day after, Pop came to Lew's house to comfort her with what's happening to her. Then after pointing out all of the pictures that Lew collected and explained on what are those to both Dew and him it meant. We now know that Lew is the reincarnation of Dew. 

Pop is now at the train station, waiting for the train. Then we see Lew, who fell from the motorcycle, run to him and hugged him tightly as she remembers all of the memories of Dew and Pop back when dew was alive. Then they left in the train and went to a secluded like beach. Then we see them in a bungy jump place, put off the safely belt and jump into the water. END. 



I intentionally made my summary missing some details, because I want you to watch the movie.


The movie received many criticisms, most of what I've seen in social media (specifically on Twitter) are bad reviews. I think they didn't understand what the story is about really.

But, the way I see it, its a story about unbreakable bonds between two lovers, to the point were in their next life, they'll meet each other and be destined like before. Yes, the movie showed a teacher-student relationship, but it really happens in life. But in this movie, Dew was reincarnated as one of Pop's students. The story is about their undying love and affection. We can call it the right love at the wrong time.


Now let's focus on the film itself.

Cinematography wise, the movie has a cold pastel colors, and each scenes was good and clear. The actors emotions was caught in a good angle and perception. There are some scenes you'll think of what's its significance until you watch it again and understand what the shot meant. I had to watch it a couple of times to know what some of the scenes meant.

Actors, the only new actor in this movie is the one who played Pop, Nont Sadanont Durongkavarojana. Because I'm not familiar with Thai actors, I got to know this information when I've only searched it. For me his acting was satisfactory. He played it emotionless but it looked like it was the characters personality that he's playing. The other actors, I've watched some of the series that they're on and they are great Thai actors and actresses. Each emotion was delivered perfectly and I for myself is satisfied with the act that they did in this movie.


And that's all for this movie review. If you'll like to know more you can comment it and I will answer it, if I can.


Any suggestion or any movies needed for review, please inform me.



No comments:

Post a Comment

Movie Review: Dew (2019)

Dew The Movie , written and directed by Ma-Deaw Chookiat Sakveerakul, is a story between two teenage boys, Pop (pronounced as phop, is playe...