Me... Myself, the directorial debut of veteran actor Pongpat Wachirabunjong came up with several unexpectations in its first domestic releases. Nobody expected such a fine piece of film would come from the firstime film director Pongpat who only had experience in directing television series - a form of low-graded entertainment in this country. The only thing that certifies the film’s potential merit was the presence of the writer Kongdej Jaturanrasmee, one of the top two scriptwriters of the country. A few weeks after its release, the film drew attention from the gay groups who claimed the impossibilites of the plot - a drag queen might turn straight if he loses his memories. Me... Myself not surprisingly became a mild sleeper hit in the country.
The film starts off with a young heartbroken woman Oom driving her car and suddenly crashing an unknown man. When he wakes up, he loses his memories. Without full consent, she has to bring him into her apartment, where she lives with her six-year-old nephew. With some problems in the beginning, the two develop their relationship later, from untrust, to love. Tan, a name that is found on his necklace, is an ideal man that is always in every women’s dream. He cooks. He cleans. He gets along with the kid. He is gentle. He is sensitive. He always encourages you. In their happiness, they decide not to trace down his past. But if only, Oom would notice some of Tan’s gestures. His hands and walks sometimes show womenly. And then one day, the police find his belongings. Tan, actually, is Tanya, a dancer in a drag bar.
Director Pongpat has some problems to distinguish the difference between the film arts or television soap opera in the first half-hour of the story. The section plays too much on gags, jokes, as well as the over-the-top performances. But he enjoyably rides on his cinematic ticket with the rest part of the movie - natural performance, nice camera angles, and dramatic output. Shots show their growing intimacy, sudden shocks, and deep pains when the truth is revealed. Lead actor Ananda Everingham, the most wanted Thai actor today, shows his acting talents, not just a young coward kid as in The Shutter. His pain, his confusion, and uncertainty grow deep. This is the best role that he has taken so far. Watch him out. Last year, he was invited as one of the stars in Pusan’s Asian Star Summit. And now he has been cast in all of the works by major Thai directors like Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s Ploy, Nonzee Nimibutr’s Queen Of Lungsaka, Wisit Sasanatieng’s Red Eagle, as well as Ekachai Eukrongtham’s The Coffin.
Anchalee Chaiworaporn