This review may contain spoilers
It will smash you like Bo smashes everything on his skull
After the trailers I thought that it would be a funny, playful and bright (huh) action movie with a touch of romance.And at the first half of movie and some more it was.
But then this movie just kicks you off the emotional cliff. All the laughters in the theatre die off and you starting hearing sobs.
That was really powerful and funny, sensitive and meaningful story. Great acting skills, I just fell in love with Bright for a thousandth time.
P.S. OST is just perfect and conveys the atmosphere.
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Enchanting & thought provoking, a showcase of complexity of love and debt in a Thai context.
"In debt, you must pay back, but in love, there's no need to return the heart."Han Dong-Wook's 2014 Korean film "Man in Love," gets remade into Taiwanese (2021) and Thai versions, the latter titled "Love You To Debt" in 2024.
The narrative consistently follows a debt collector who falls for a debtor struggling to care for her terminally ill father while trying to settle her debts. This leads to an unusual proposition: dates in exchange for debt reduction. Their relationship, sparked by financial necessity, slowly blooms into genuine affection.
Directed by Wa-Wasuthep Ketpetch, known for his work on the Thai teen series "The Gifted," this film marks his directorial debut. The screenplay, crafted by Malila and Onthakarn, features Bright-Vachirawit Chivaaree and Yaya-Urassaya Sperbund in leading roles.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Pattaya, the film captures the essence of this bustling tourist hub and its hidden, sleepless underworld. Despite its serious undertones about debt, the Thai adaptation infuses the story with a distinctive local flavor, blending comedy, action, and charming dating scenes. However, as the narrative deepens, the weight of debt brings about profound struggles, casting a shadow over the blossoming romance.
Bright-Vachirawit, portraying the protagonist, brings depth to his role as a lovesick debt collector. His performance is a seamless blend of intensity and vulnerability, particularly in his interactions with Yaya-Urassaya's character, Im. Their chemistry transforms every scene they share into a vivid depiction of conflicted emotions—joy in love contrasted with the harsh realities of their lives.
In a remarkable commitment to authenticity, Bright performed all his stunts, bearing both the physical and emotional weight of his character. His transformation into the scarred, tattooed Bo involved an extensive makeup process, adding layers to his portrayal of a man navigating the harsh world of debt collection while harboring a tender love.
Yaya Urassaya's portrayal of Im reflects a woman burdened yet resilient, adapting her vocal tones and demeanor to authentically convey a spectrum of emotions. This nuanced performance ensures that viewers feel the weight of her struggles and the strength of her spirit.
The film's aesthetic, from the vivid Hawaiian shirts worn by Bo to Im's modest flea market attire, visually represents their worlds and personalities, mirroring Pattaya's colorful landscape.
"Love You to Debt" is not just a film but a cultural dialogue tailored to resonate with Thai audiences, offering a fresh perspective on familiar themes of love and financial hardship. Wasuthep and his team have skillfully adapted the original story's essence to engage local viewers, making it a reflective and entertaining exploration of life's burdens and beauties.
Recommended.
(Translated and edited for brevity and readability from a review in Thai by @PooChaiKonNun https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%89%20%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%AD%20%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%20%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%8A%20)
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A must watch movie from Thailand
I love this movie so much. The chemistry between Bright and Yaya is so strong. Bright's acting is amazing. He improves a lot. Yaya plays her role awesome. The story is really good. The cinematography from Parbdee is very good. This movie is one of the best movies of the year. The ost of this movie (cover by Bright) makes me can't move on from this movie.Was this review helpful to you?
Profound, thought provoking, Wong Kar-Wai inspired, the movie will worm into your heart.
“Love You To Debt” At first, I thought it was a teenage romcom with forced laughs. Not at all. It’s a drama about Thai society viewed through an improbable love between a debtor & debt collector. The movie is a remake of Korean “Man In Love”. There are many beautiful scenes, some with influences of Hong Kong movies. Wong Kar-Wai provides inspiration for several scenes.The movie is more profound than anticipated, giving you good food for thought, entertainment, philosophical perspective on life partnership, or even as a cautionary tale on what not to do in life. In the end, it worms its way to my heart. After watching, it’d be best to be neither a debtor or a lender. And if you are in love, hope the two will make each others’ lives better.
(Translated from a review in Thai by movie critic Phitsanulok Review.)
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