Thai movies have become a monthly affair on Netflix. The latest to hit the streaming giant is Once Upon a Star.
It has been created as a tribute to Mitr Chaibancha, a hugely popular Thai actor who died in an accident while shooting for a film.
You can find more about him in the FAQs section of this review.
Moving on, Once Upon a Star is touted to be a heartfelt, and inspiring drama running for around 140 minutes.
Here is my assessment of the movie where I categorize its ups and downs.
Once Upon a Star Synopsis
A pharma-cinema troupe that dubs movies in real-time hires a new talented dubber on the lookout for a fresh start.
Her arrival infuses a breath of fresh air into their gloomy business. The movie is set in the late 1960s.
Directed by Nonzee Nimibutr, Once Upon a Star features Sukollawat Kanaros (Manit), Nuengthida Sophon (Rueangkae), Jirayu La-ongmanee (Kao), and Samart Payakaroon (Man) in prominent roles.
What Works for Once Upon a Star?
Sadly, I have very few things to talk about here and the film’s concept is one of those. It intrigued me, in the beginning, to see a traveling movie group dub creations on the spot.
Popular in the days of yore, the makers have adapted the idea to the screen quite well. The setup of old Thailand without the modern mechanisms looks natural.
The lighting, ambiance, and quietude help add weight to this aspect.
Secondly, as a tribute to Pichet Poomhem aka Mitr Chaibancha, the film puts a forgotten hero into the spotlight.
It might even go on to make his true-blue fans emotional, leaving them teary-eyed.
People from Thailand would relate to Once Upon a Star for sure.
How are the Performances?
Sukollawat Kanaros, in his role as Manit, stands as the linchpin of the entire ensemble.
He embodies the quintessential leadership figure that a cast requires, setting an aspiring standard for others.
Nuengthida Sophon plays Rueangkae in Once Upon a Star and, as I said in the synopsis section, she brings a breath of fresh vitality into the narrative.
Her introduction occurs early in the story, although, by that point, the lackluster plot has already taken its toll.
In this backdrop, Sophon invigorates up to an extent.
Jirayu La-ongmanee takes on the character of Kao and delivers a performance that can be described as decent.
Perhaps, a more expanded role with additional dialogue and presence might have allowed me to delve further into his character.
This, in essence, encapsulates one of the primary issues with Once Upon a Star.
The film seems to prioritize other elements over the development of its characters, leaving them somewhat underexplored.
What Doesn’t Work for Once Upon a Star?
The narrative is uninteresting and, to some extent, somnolent. It lacks any sparks and even fails to provide basic threads that could engage the audience.
The story revolves around a group simply doing their job, with one of them harboring a romanticized view of a real-life actor.
There was ample opportunity to introduce subtle nuances, such as authentic human connections, which didn’t necessarily need to be explicitly conveyed to the viewer.
While comedy might not have been the primary focus, a more substantial and compelling execution of the drama could have injected life into the plot.
Once Upon a Star’s slow pace doesn’t help either. On the bright side, it gives you the freedom to watch at 1.5x without losing out on anything.
Furthermore, the movie has an uninspiring screenplay. For once, “unexciting” would have worked for such an idea but being “uninspiring” is a crime, especially considering the initially promised goals.
Another drawback of Once Upon a Star is its inability to connect with the audience. Barring the fans of Mitr Chaibancha, nobody will not have a fulfilling outing.
I also felt a lack of conviction from the makers in presenting the struggles of the dubbing group, which is why its rise failed to generate the required emotional vehemence.
Overall, nothing really stood out for me. Be it the characters, their conversations, or the story itself.
Should You Stream or Skip Once Upon a Star?
It is strictly for the fans of Mitr Chaibancha. Rest can skip the movie without a doubt.
FAQs
Who was Mitr Chaibancha?
Mitr Chaibancha was a popular Thai actor. His real name was Pichet Poomhem and he acted in over 250 films in a span of 14 years.
How did Mitr Chaibancha die?
He died while shooting for the final scenes of Insee Thong at Dongtan Beach. In a major accident, the actor fell from a helicopter and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
What was Mitr Chaibancha’s age when he died?
He was only 36 years old. You can read more about the actor here.
What is the meaning of Insee Thong?
It means Red Eagle.
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