LONG LIVE LOVE! (ลอง ลีฟ เลิฟว์) (2023)

Genre: Romance/Comedy
Director: Mook Piyakarn Bootpraser
Cast: Sunny Suwanmethanont, Araya A. Hargate, Becky Armstrong, Peter Nopachai Chaiyanam
Runtime: 2 hr 15 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Mature Content)
Released By: Golden Village Pictures
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 27 July 2023

Synopsis: The story of a disheartened couple, Sati and Metta. The two are about to part ways due to their broken relationship, but destiny is playing a joke on them when Sati gets into an accident and wakes up with amnesia. The only way to bring back parts of his memory is to retrieve old photographs where he is faced with his awful past.

Movie Review:

We always look forward to stepping into a cinema theatre to be surprised by what a Thai movie has in store – especially when we do not know much about the plot and had not read anything about it. Known for their creative storytelling, Thai films often have the ability to impress us, and also leave us thinking when the end credits roll. This romance comedy directed by Mook Piyakarn Bootpraser is one such movie.

We are first introduced to Namo (20 year old Thai British actress Becky Armstrong, showing a lot of charisma and potential), a teenager who muses about the surprises that her family brings. Soon enough, we realise what she means. After nagging at her to be careful while hanging out with her friends, Namo’s mother Metta (British Thai Lao actress Araya A Hargate, who is bound to captivate you with her enigmatic look) is seen packing up and getting ready to head to Bali, presumably to begin a new life with another man.

Where is Namo’s father? The story moves along and shows us how Sati (the ever so charming Sunny Suwanmethanont, best known for his roles in rom coms like I Fine..Thank You..Love You, Heart Attack and Brother of the Year) has gotten into an accident. We don’t know much about him but find it amusing that he is taking wefies before passing out. Seems like a funny enough guy.

Next thing we know, Sati is suffering from amnesia and he cannot anything prior to the accident. Metta’s plans are put on hold and she grudgingly takes care of Sati together with his brother (played by Pompam Niti Chaichitathorn, known in Thailandfor his hosting gigs). Not wanting to be known as Sati’s wife, Metta pretends to be his sister and there are some funny gags where Sati gets sabotaged because he is unaware of what kind of life he used to lead.

Sati soon realises that if the composition of a photo is recreated, a flashlight from a camera can bring him back to that moment in time. Kudos to the Thais for coming up with such an ingenious way of allowing a character to time travel. And bit by bit, we get to know the version of Sati before the accident, and it is revealed that he is quite the jerk, which explains why Metta wants to leave him. He was also quite an irresponsible father, and that is probably why Namo doesn’t regard him as a cool Dad.

Suwanmethanont, Hargate and Armstrong are a joy to watch, and there are supporting characters portrayed by Peter Nopachai Chaiyanam and Nont Sadanont Durongkavarojana. Once we get the momentum of things and are entertained by the series of time travel scenes, we wonder where the movie is headed towards. The 135 minute movie does not rush the story and things take on a serious note towards the end when we see a very dramatic showdown between Sati and Metta at a picturesque picnic spot. From then on, we get a bittersweet reminder about love. The last few scenes of the movie are especially touching, and will leave you pondering what it takes for two people to be in love with each other forever.

Movie Rating:

(With good-looking and charismatic leads, this entertaining Thai romantic comedy comes with a poignant reminder about what it takes to be in love)

Review by John Li