Film Review: Happy Old Year (ฮาวทูทิ้ง..ทิ้งอย่างไรไม่ให้เหลือเธอ) (2019) - Thailand (Netflix)

Happy Old Year (ฮาวทูทิ้ง..ทิ้งอย่างไรไม่ให้เหลือเธอ) (2019) - Thailand (Netflix)

Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)

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In the modern world of regrets, memories and complications, living a simple and minimalist life is almost impossible within the civilised world. Director Nawapol Thameongrattanarit created a simple yet important message about the need to start afresh, but also to remember the people and memories along the way. That is the ultimate message in the Thai coming of age drama “Happy Old Year, starring up and coming actress Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying of “Bad Genius” game in the lead role.

Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying is fast becoming one of the leading lights of Thai cinema with yet another engaging and captivating performance. With the film slow pace and minimal happenings, it will almost simultaneously fail without a good actress in the role. Chuengcharoensukying excels in her deadpan execution to a more emotional finale as she confronts her own inner demons of her father and lost relationships with ex boyfriend and former friends. Young star Sunny Suwanmethanont does well as the ex boyfriend as he confronts her with outright delivery. Other ensemble cast including Sarika Sartsilpsupa, Thirawat Ngosawang, Apasiri Nitibhon and Patcha Kitchaicharoen rounds out the good realistic performances.

All in all, “Happy Old Year” will not break any new grounds, but Director Thameongrattanarit manages to parody by contrast to the Japanese famous “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” which promotes throwing things away without emotions. This film shows that it is important for our to feel and think back on our experiences and not totally disregard it all totally. Whilst, starting afresh may seem a clean cut, it’s the wounds and experience that make us who we are as living humans on Earth.

I rated it 8/10