Saving Private Tootsie (2002)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Kittikorn Liasirikun

Release Date:

29 November 2002 (Thailand)

Genre:

Comedy | Action

Plot:

Inspired by a real-life event in December 1998, this action-packed comedy follows a group of Katoeys...

Plot Keywords:

Gay Stereotype | Gay Interest | Thailand | Homophobia | Gay

Cast

Sorapong Chatree	...	Sgt. Rerng
Akara Amarttayakul	...	Capt. Sompong (as Puthichai Amatayakul)
Seri Wongmontha	...	Kasem
Ornnapa Krissadee	...	Som Ying
Thongthong Mokjok	...	Chicha
Kowit Wattanakul	...	PFC Pakorn
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Boriwat Yuto

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Color:

Color

Movie Connections:

References Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Good action adventure spoilt by over-emphasis on homophobia

The action follows the rescue of a group of gay and transsexual people who were stranded following a plane crash in the forest in rebel-held territory on the border of Thailand. The film could have traced a familiar theme in a new (to Western audiences) format, with no Rambo style hero and no high-tech rescue equipment; just walking through the jungle, in some cases in high heels.

The tension is well developed, with the jungle itself, booby traps, the cliche of treacherous politicians refusing helicopter help, and the armed rebels. The rescued group antagonise their rescuers by failing to co-operate, and the tension arising from the homophobia of some of the soldiers is played on.

However, the homophobic angle is a little jagged for the Western viewer, with just too many "fag" references, and too much camp, peevish behaviour from the people who are being rescued. In fact this last dimension destroys the tension that ought to be carefully built up; it's just not believable. (Nor is it comedy, as suggested by another reviewer.)

If you can overlook this shortcoming, then the film is an interesting new take on a familiar story, and it's good entertainment.