Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters (1997)

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Blistering performances.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

One of the best-made Thai movies I've ever seen. Excellent retelling of a fascinating events. Historical significance and timeliness of military coups in 1958 with today's 2006 events. Shows the violence as it truly existed then and as it does today. Dramatic events are kept in check and not strayed too far from the real events of the day. Above-average acting displayed by the girlfriend and various gang members, although the lead actor Dang was a bit over-the-top. Superb acting by the Headman and Dang's boss, Chien. Very good use of rare and dated props from the era. Superb cinematography and camera-work, which is the downfall of many Thai films. Editing was far above par.

Dang Bireley's mother is a prostitute, and he kills his first man at the age of 13 (a customer that got violent with his mum). One might say that fate had him down for the gangster lifestyle from the start. In 1950's Thailand, under a corrupt military government, it seems that the only options for the youth are to become a gangster or one of their bitter rivals, the engineering students, so maybe it didn't take that much of fate at all. At the age of 16 he starts his first business, a protection racket, and from there goes on to become one of Thailand's most famous gangsters of the era.DANG BIRELEY has a lot in common with the Korean movie FRIEND - in fact, if Thai cinema has penetrated Korean shores at all then I have no doubt it strongly influenced the latter movie. Despite FRIEND'S record box office, I found it to be a rather dull affair - perhaps due to over-high expectations. Perhaps my expectations for DANG BIRELEY were not quite so high, or perhaps it's just that it's a better movie because I definitely enjoyed it more .Friendship is the theme, as the movie follows the lives of Dang Bireley and his close friends, not all of whom will remain close friends as inevitable conflicts come between them. DANG BIRELEY pays quite a bit attention to recreating the 1950s mood, and it is pretty evocative, if not quite down to the finest detail that FRIEND manages. This is balanced with a very modern filming style though - a very kinetic camera and edgy framing/editing, not over done but there are some very cool and interesting visuals.The movie comes from writer Wisit Sartsanatieng and director Nonzee Nimimbutr - the director and producer respectively of the transcendent TEARS OF THE BLACK TIGER, with which it also shares some key cast members. A testament to the great talents of these film makers is how completely different the two movies are though (with Nonzee's NANG NAK being utterly different again). The movie is pretty serious in tone, though not as dry as FRIEND and definitely not suffering from the vaguely sickly nostalgia that permeates the Korean movie. It is presented as the occasionally narrated memories of one of Dang's gang - and though he obviously remembers Dang very fondly, his memories of the times are not particularly cheerful. There's a lot of violence, corruption and hardship around.The story of Dang Bireley's life is a touching one. The bonds between the friends are very strong, and the characters mostly well painted and believable. I think the performances are top notch, though my familiarity with the Thai language makes it difficult to judge this completely accurately. Script is great, direction great, cinematography great... generally a quality movie, though it is let down a little by an ending that feels a little awkward (though presumably this is due to the inconvenience of the real world having ended that way). Whilst not flawless, the movie still comes with my recommendation .

Saw this movie at a sleazy cinema with less than 10 persons in it. The price to pay for being a film buff! Most of the other patrons were attracted by the prospect of some sex or violence. Seekers of the former were sorely disappointed but there was much of the latter to satisfy the rest.This is not exactly a 'high' art movie but the production was excellent, leads were charismatic, action riveting and felt uncomfortably familiar. Thoroughly entertaining and involving as one waited with hope and dread on the various characters eventual fate.To re-emphasis, the production was truly outstanding and give Hollywood movies a run for their money. The sepia tone photography gave everything a touch of nostalgia and deceptive warmth. This film comes highly recommended!

It is the best Thai movie of the year 1997.