Review of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) by Stuart K — 30 Dec 2012
Written and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Blissfully Yours (2002) and Syndromes and a Century (2006)), this is a quite experimental drama based on a 1983 book by Buddhist abbot Phra Sripariyattiweti, who met a man called Boonmee would claimed he could clearly recall his past lives.
Although it was a loose adaptation, it makes for odd viewing. Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) is a middle aged man living in the Northeast of Thailand, and he's dying of a terminal illness. Together with his close family Jen (Jenjira Pongpas) and Thong (Sakda Kaewbuadee), along with the ghost of his dead wife Huay (Natthakarn Aphaiwong) and his long lost song Boonsong (Jeerasak Kulhong), who seems to have returned in a non-human form.
Boonmee looks back on his past lives, explaining them to his family in detail, while also trying to find meaning for how he became ill in the first place. Was it something he did in one of his past lives.
and is he being punished for it now?? It's a very weird film, and it's one Hollywood wouldn't dare remake, but it's quite atmospheric and peaceful, a bit like what was to come in The Tree of Life (2011).
Like that experimental arthouse film, Uncle Boonmee would pick up the Palme D'or at Cannes. They love films like this.
This review of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) was written by Stuart K on 30 Dec 2012.
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives has generally received positive reviews.
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