Writer: Naseem Randhawa

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Watch this if you liked: “Lucky Loser”, “My Girl”, “When Harry Met Sally”

Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story is a contemporary romantic comedy that is set against the bustling streets of Bangkok. Mei Li (Sirin Horwang) is a single 30-year-old who is surrounded by friends that all seem to be getting hitched. Feeling depressed as the only one who can't seem to find a significant other, Mei Li gets drunk on her best friend's wedding night and gets her car compounded. It is then Mei Li meets Lung (Teeradej Wongpuapun), a handsome engineer who works the night shift at the Bangkok Transit System (BTS) Skytrain station. As Mei Li now has to rely on the BTS Skytrain to get to work, her path often gets crossed with Lung's and it is not long until a crush develops. Mei Li then tries to overcome her doubts and nervousness to approach Lung, her potential 'Mr Right'.

Directed by Adisorn Tresirikasem ("Lucky Loser", "My Girl"), "Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story" marks his third directorial effort that has already garnered much favour among urban females in Bangkok. Probably one of the film's most obvious attractions is Teeradej, who is already a household name in Thailand. Although his role as a good-looking BTS engineer doesn't require much of an emotional stance, Teeradej's mere presence is enough to keep the (female) audiences glued to the screen. Sirin does a terrific job of playing a vulnerable, down to earth girl that puts herself out there for love. Often times Sirin will get caught up in hilarious situations and after a barrel of laughs, the audience will find themselves quietly cheering her on to pull-through as they connect with her character.

A charming romantic comedy that delivers well in terms of its originality which steers clear of the cliched plot of such genre, this Thai effort provides a fresh take compared to a Hollywood production. What would compel audiences to watch this movie in particular is the story that most of the potential audience can pretty much relate to. It does not try too hard to impress with its humour and the plot remains as 'real' as it can get. This is observed from Mei Li's portrayal as a middle-class woman living with her family who struggles with the traffic congested streets of Bangkok to get to work. It is also rather interesting to note the various modes of public transportation (taxies, river taxies, motorbike taxis, buses, tuk-tuks and trains) in Bangkok that Mei Li navigates through to get to work. The Skytrain, which celebrated its tenth anniversary the same year the movie was released, lends its name to the film's title and is prominently featured throughout the story.

Both of the Thai actors are charming on-screen and it is possible to predict that based on the success of this movie in its homeland, one can expect more of such films to be in the works. Audiences that desire a good rom-com flick should give this movie a go instead of the typical, repetitive Hollywood flicks as it is certainly an entertaining watch that is closer to home.

Cinema Online, 23 March 2011