Not Friends

I like the movie and watched it more than once

Thanks to the director who is also the film scriptwriter, the brilliant screenplay has interesting & touching twist and turns and great (sometimes even humourous) dialogue/movie lines.

It is really a great film about joe, the ingenious screenplay gradually reveal how the ordinary but sunny character guy (joe) is loved and missed by his friends and deeply by Bokeh around him

The main characters are all acting great. Tithiya shines in her acting as lovely Bokeh in the movie who has deep and subtle feeling for Joe.

Also tributes to the other supporting cast: the movie team, ohm, liew, moms of pae and joe, and the principal in the movie.

Long Live Cinema! This is the first Asian film (exc. Indonesia) that I watched in theater.

The strong point of "Not Friends" lies in the hilarious scenes, which provide an experience that invites laughter and touches the hearts of the audience. The transition from comedy to drama is also impressive because of the unusual scenes taken. This is a friendship film and a love letter to film.

Synopsis: Not Friends is a 2023 Thai coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Atta Hemwadee in his directorial debut. It stars Thitiya Jirapornsilp, Pisitphon Ekphongpisit, Anthony Buizeret, Tanakorn Tiyanont and Natticha Chantaravareelekha.

Damn that wrecked me in such a clever, unexpected way.

I have seen plenty of Asian melodramas, and you kind of see them coming, you know the regular beats, but this one just hits you over and over again when you least expect it. I'll say it's clever. Which you certainly don't expect of your average teen movie. But this is so much more than that. Yeah, it's got your cheesy lines about dreams and the future, but that's just a minor part and even that hits pretty hard in the context of everything that happens. Let's just say the script is really clever with its twists and tonal shifts and maybe the only thing that didn't resonate was the forced comedy in the beginning, but that was short-lived too. The successive revelations in the flashbacks are heartwarming or heartbreaking, sometimes at the same time.

Thailand is having a good year on Netflix. Also, Oscar submission damn!!!

And it turns out Pae had actually been a friend to Joe. It was the beginning of something beautiful. Damn Joe, why d'you have to die on us like that?

"Not Friends" delves into the complexities of friendship, love, and identity. The narrative explores the blurred lines between friendship and romantic attraction, especially in the context of young adulthood and self-discovery. The story is engaging as it tackles these emotional and sometimes tumultuous experiences, making it relatable to anyone who has navigated the uncertainties of young love and friendship.

Characters and Performances: The cast delivers heartfelt performances that bring depth to their characters. Poompat Iam-samang and Pawin Kulkaranyawich, in particular, stand out for their ability to convey the nuanced emotions of their roles. Their chemistry is palpable and drives the story forward, making their journey compelling to watch.

A lively, entertaining and heartfelt story about youth, film-making and friendships. Anthony Buisseret shines in the leading role as a boy who has to grapple with his rash decision to make a short film that is more for selfish reasons than altruistic ones. Although the film's humour can get silly at times, what is youth but the heady rush of having fun with friends? That being said, this film is moving in equal measure and will tug at your heartstrings. The plot twist makes it quite thought-provoking and interesting. All in all, this film which is Thailand's submission for the 96th Academy Awards is a sweet and enjoyable film to watch.