Gang chanee kap ee-aep (2006)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Youngyooth Thongkonthun

Writers:

Aummaraporn Phandintong (writer)
Benjamaporn Srabua (writer)

Release Date:

13 July 2006 (Thailand)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Four girlfriends plot to determine whether the cute metrosexual man their friend plans to marry is really straight.

Plot Keywords:

Bangkok | Metrosexual | Friendship | Hair Salon | Gay Stereotype

Cast

Patcharasri Benjamas	...	Pom
Meesuk Jaengmeesuk	...	Pang
Pimolwan Suphayang	...	Fai
Kulnadda Pachimsawat	...	Pat
Orpreeya Hunsat	...	Nim
Thienchai Jayasvasti Jr.	...	Kong
Kazuki Yano	...	Ken-jang
Dawido Dorigo	...	Off
Moncheep Siwasinanggoon	...	Pehng
Kanit Sarasin	...	Joe
Sansanee Smanworawong
Michael Shaowanasai	...	Brother Bee
Somphob Chumwongchoti
Pongsak Ditsayadech
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kokkorn Benjathikoon	...	Special Guest
Jira Maligool	...	Special Guest
Jaturong Phooboon	...	Special Guest
Anuchit Sapanpong	...	Special Guest
Prasert Vivattanananpong	...	Special Guest

Also Known As:

Metrosexual (International: English title)

Runtime:

Hong Kong:117 min

Country:

Thailand

Language:

Thai

Color:

Color

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIA | Singapore:M18 | Malaysia:18PL | Malaysia:U (cut)

The Title Said It All

Metrosexual is a term coined by British journalist in 1994 describing a man of any sexual orientation who spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle. However, in this movie, one might not be able to draw a conclusion on the theme of the movie by its English title as directly as an official Thai title "Gang Chanee Kap Ee-aep," which could be literally translated as "the chicks gang and a closeted gay man." The movie tells a story of a group of friends which consists of five working metropolitan girls in their late 20's and early 30's. One of a girls suddenly announces that she will soon get married with a perfect guy, who seems to know it all when it comes to cosmetic, cooking and shopping. The rest of the gangs think that the guy is "too" perfect. The paranoid of their lovely friend getting married with a "closeted" gay man looms in, thus the gang embarks on the quest for the truth. Are they mistaken? If not, could they get the truth before the engagement ceremony? While the gangs are in the journey for the truth, they still have to deal with their own life and love affairs. This is a proof of love, friendship and self-actualization for all...

The movie is directed by Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, whose previous works including the Iron Ladies I & II and M.A.I.D. You may notice that all of his movie focus on what we call a minority group in the society; either a transvestite or a servant. One might think that this movie would feature heavily on a closeted homosexual man. While it is not totally wrong, this movie takes a wider look on friendship and love, with homosexuality only in the background. The director even stated that he has been maturer in movie making, thus his movie would now be maturer as well.

In fact, the groups of five leading actresses in the movie is not a new face in Thailand. They are all household name as news anchors and hosts of TV news talk show. You shouldn't expect much about their acting as they are not a professional actress. However, their characters in the movie is almost exactly the same as their on-screen TV appearances, thus an audiences in Thailand would have no problem enjoying numerous local jokes and puns in the movie. There also wouldn't be a problem for a foreigner to enjoy the movie as the script depicts a universal theme and the character establishment is strong. The credit should go to the script-writers who did a marvelous job in putting a story together. The dialogues in the movie are full of sharp and quick-witted quotation.

All in all, the movie is enjoyable to watch even though the ending is a little bit too cliché.