Review of Jan Dara (2001 Film):

directed and co-written by Nonzee Nimibutr and co-starring Hong Kong cinema actress Christy Chung. It is based on a novel by Utsana Phloengtham and follows the titular character as he attempts to break free from the cycle of sex and abuse perpetuated in his wealthy household while fulfilling his own pleasures and desires. The film premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival. In Thailand, the film was controversial because its sex scenes tested the censorship bounds of the 1930 Film Act.

Let me start off by saying that the acting in this movie was pretty fantastic. It was great enough that I actually felt bad for Jan Dara’s circumstances and at times was rooting for him to get out of his messed up life. It was also good enough that I despised pretty much his entire family to the point where I didn’t see how he could treat them so well (sans a few pretty disturbing scenes toward the ending of the film that I won’t discuss because it will spoil it for you). What I will say is that the story of Jan Dara and his screwed up slice of crazy he calls family; is pretty disturbing. For a movie where A LOT of sex takes place there probably isn’t a single scene that seems sensual or enjoyable at all. You see Jan Dara grow for a little boy born into horrible circumstances grow to become the the spitting image of the man he hated most; if not worse than him. This film is like a train wreck; it’s gruesome and gut wrenching and yet you can’t look away!