Anthapan

Move over Johnny Boy.....

Timing is everything and the big screen debut of Anthapan (The Hooligan) coincides with the very recent death of Henry Hill (the film Goodfellas was based on his young hoodlum days), as well as an awful, and tragic, clash this week between technical institute student gangs in Bangkok.

Like Goodfellas, Anthapan tracks the friendships, bonds, rituals, betrayals, success and failures of a gang of punks and gangsters through the 1950s, 60s and 70s. But rather than New Jersey and Manhattan, the Anthapan protagonists stomp (mostly) around Bangkok's old Yaowarat district (Chinatown).

The film is set during a turbulent historical period (1950 - 70) that included major political events (Field Marshall Sarit's coup d'etat, the Vietnam war and a brutal police-led purge of gangs) and the emergence of global cultural icons such as Elvis and James Dean.  

Here's Jod! 

These heady years and events are brilliantly captured by the director, Kongkiat Khomsiri who blends Scorcese, John Woo, Tarantino and Pekinpah influences to create a unique, energetic, fresh, and fine film. To be lazy, I'd describe as "City of God" or "Once Upon a Time in America" set in Bangkok.

His attention to detail, and the recreation of 50s street life, is one of the big highlights of the film. I loved all scenes set in Yaowarat's lanes and alleys and its restaurants, gold shops, bars, barber shops and coffee houses. I particularly enjoyed the cinema scene where a narrator translates a trashy Elvis flick.

Kongkiat's stylish vision is backed by many great actors including the lead, Krissada Sukosol Clapp whose character, Jod, is a skilled, noble killer with a conscience. Krissada is coolness personified - he's like a SEA Gary Cooper. Other characters to catch my eye include the garrulous Uncle Ham and the mad-as-an alley-cat gangster, Daeng (played by Somchai Khemglad).

In addition, I liked the mock-interviews (inserted throughout the film) with old timers who lived through the era - their stories and opinions helped embellish the legend/mythical status of the characters. And the final part of the masterpiece is a belter of a soundtrack chock full of rock'n'roll, a bit of ska, and more rock'n'roll.

In my opinion this is one of the best Asian movies in a long time and if you don't live in Thailand, lobby, hassle, hustle your film festival organisers or arthouse cinema operators to give this a whirl.

Just a word of warning, Anthapan boasts a high and bloody body count, so if this is not your bag, stay away, well away.

Movie trailer
The Bangkok Post review