Great entertainment that may make you smile
Wayufilm have once again produced a true little gem, a short film that is as beautiful as almost all of their movies. It is a quiet, sensitive story of two young men who meet for the first time, which is what the title refers to, so don't be disappointed when you notice that it isn't the ”first time” that you may have expected.
The plot is rather simple. Sud Yod (Klong Chindanai), a successful online gamer with a huge number of followers, has a pain in his back, so he decides to go to a massage parlour that sponsors his channel to get a free oil massage. As all the regular masseurs are busy, the young receptionist Num Un (Night Yodsakon), who is one of Sud Yod's followers, gives him a massage for the first time. Num Un is shy and afraid that he may not be good enough a masseur, but Sud Yod feels very comfortable and praises the young man. When Sud Yod goes online again after the massage at the end of the movie, Num Un sends him a message, promising him to ”massage him for ever and ever”, so we can conclude that those two may become friends or even lovers, but this is left to the viewers' imagination (or a sequel?).
Like most Wayufilm movies, the story is being told slowly and sensitively. But it is the actors who make the viewer feel the story, because both of them play their parts very naturally. In his amazing performance in his first lead role as ”The Male Entertainer”, Klong has already proven that he is a talented actor, and Night plays the shy, reluctant ”first timer” so convincingly that his acting appears completely realistic. And just as Klong is a very attractive, handsome young man, Night is an adorable, cute boy.
In some Thai movies, it is embarrassing that actors stare at each other without saying anything for ages. In this movie, however, staring at each other isn't embarrassing at all, because it just shows how insecure, and at the same time attracted to each other the two characters feel. When they are silently thinking about what to say next, one can guess what each of them are thinking by reading their facial expressions. The credits say that Mon Hatsawatchon was the acting coach, and sometimes one can notice that it was he who taught the two young men how to act.
Director Nicchi has helped some young talents like Oak, Mon, and Ryu to grow into good actors who have made their way into the viewers' hearts and I am sure Nicchi will do the same to Klong and Night if they follow his guidance.
When I was watching the movie, I did not fall asleep like Sud Yod did when he was given his relaxing massage, but I calmed down, found myself smiling from beginning to end, and forgot all the daily trouble for half an hour. So in my opinion, this is a piece of great entertainment that may make you smile, too.
Country: Thailand (2023)
Duration: 32 mins.
Director: Nicchi Nitchapoom Chaianun
Cast: Klong Chindanai, Night Yodsakon
