Right By Me (2005/Water Bearer Films DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: B-
Thanyatorn
Siwanukrow’s Right By Me (2005) is a
surprisingly good comedy/drama from the oppressive Thailand in which three
friends have to deal with their love and in some cases, gay love between each
of them. A sort of character study of
manhood in the oppressive country, they are dealing with their sexuality in
surprisingly open ways.
But there
is only some nudity and the sex is limited, with even that being done with
hidden angles, in part it seems to make the point that such scenes are not
excuses for a “sex break” in which the narrative stops dead. That helps the flow of the film as the Paul
Joseph Bradley script slowly, smartly unfolds.
I also give the actors credit for their good performances and taking the
material seriously, yet adding the depth these people would have in real life
if this were really happening to them.
It is also an indictment of homophobia and does this is a subtle way
that is also to its credit.
The
letterboxed 1.85 X 1 image may have some consistent color, but is just too soft
and with too many aliasing errors. Some
of the compositions are good and the outdoor locations are a plus. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple stereo at
best and consistently clearer throughout.
The only extra is the trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo
