Writer: Linnaeus Ignatius

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Watch this if you liked: “As Good As It Gets”, “Hannabi”

From the title "Best Of Times", this reviewer expected a movie that will allow the writer to live life again in introspect and savour all those moments that may have somehow carelessly missed out or forget. Coming from Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, the director of "The Iron Ladies" further heightened anticipation of this film making it a must see.

The synopsis is rather interesting. Some people spend most of their lives trying to forget their first love, but some spend a lifetime reminiscing about their last love. Since men are not goldfish, they don't easily forget their past loves, it's just that sometimes it hurts too much to want to remember. Nevertheless, everlasting love is always worth fighting for. "Best Of Times", a romantic story involving two couples show how even the briefest of encounters with true love can leave one with the most memorable lifelong memories.

The film tells the story of Keng (Arak Amornsupasiri) who has a crush on Fai (Yarinda Bunnag) since high school; however as fate would cruelly have it, Fai is his best buddy Ohm's girlfriend. Fai ended up marrying and later divorcing his buddy Ohm. One eventful night eight years on; an accident, alcohol and an injured dog brings about the possibility of Keng and Fai being together. That night also entwines Keng with the lives of Mr. Jamrus and Mrs. Sompit. He was sentenced to public service to teach at a computer club for the elderly for his reckless driving. Herein, the movie becomes a film that reflects on the many aspect of love through this four souls longing for it.

"Best Of Times" is entertaining enough as we watch the exploit of the elderly Mr. Jamrus (Kris Sretthamrong) and Mrs. Sompit (Sansanee Wattananukul) have a go at romance almost like teenagers swept by first love. The typical scenes of longing where the two actors so in love are all there making this a brilliant date movie to rekindle one's love or to start a new romantic affair with that special someone.

However about half an hour in, the cinematography work began to become obviously blant. The film is also predictably cliche and at times annoyingly so. The themes of love, longing and letting go is good but if only it was delivered in a more abstract poetic manner rather than the 'almost corny' direct way, where the dialogue almost underlines the visuals as if afraid audiences would not get the point.

In short, "Best Of Times" is a letdown for this reviewer and recommends that audiences go watch Takeshi Kitano's "Hannabi" or James L. Brooks' "As Good As It Gets" instead; much similar thematically but better rendered film. "Best Of Times" can be best described as off the shelf sterile rendition of love despite trying to be more.

Cinema Online, 23 July 2010