Review of Wonderful Town (2007) by Luke B — 18 May 2009

Wonderful Town is set in a Thai village that was devastated by the 2004 Tsunami. A young architect is sent to oversee the rebuilding effort that has started in the village. He soon falls in love with a local girl.

The film is slow and thoughtful. It builds upon the romance whilst looking at it from a distance. Both parties are very cautious about getting close to each other. The locals soon disapprove of the relationship, it upsets the balance and releases pent up anger from the community that perhaps feels abandoned.

The ending is shocking and even sickening. It comes suddenly, as such an act would. Wonderful Town is a bit to thoughtful for it's own good. There's a great story and some fascinating themes here, but first it makes us sit through a generic love story, one that takes up too much screen time.