Name: Once Upon a Star
Genre: Drama
Released: 2023-10-09T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Sukollawat Kanarot, Nuengthida Sophon, Jirayu La-ongmanee, Samart Payakaroon, Nat Sakdatorn

The opening scene of Once Upon a Star is a vivid tableau: a rickety van sputtering to life, packed with a ragtag crew of performers, their laughter and arguments bouncing off the interior like sparks. This is Nonzee Nimibutr’s 2023 drama, a film that wears its heart on its sleeve as it follows a traveling pharma-cinema troupe bringing live-dubbed movies to remote corners of Thailand.

The film’s premise is simple but evocative: a group of artists turned hustlers, using cinema as both their medium and their means of survival. The troupe, led by the charismatic Manit (Sukollawat Kanarot), travels from one small town to another, setting up makeshift theaters and dubbing foreign films live on stage. It’s a concept that immediately invites comparisons to other films about traveling performers, such as The Blues Brothers or Little Miss Sunshine, but Once Upon a Star carves out its own niche with its unique cultural context and the specific challenges faced by its characters.

At its best, Once Upon a Star captures the messy, vibrant energy of life on the road. The ensemble cast brings a palpable sense of camaraderie and tension to the screen. Sukollawat Kanarot’s Manit is a natural leader, his charm and determination anchoring the group even as he grapples with his own ambitions. Nuengthida Sophon’s Rueangkae provides a fiery counterpoint, her passion for the art of cinema often clashing with the practicalities of their enterprise. Jirayu La-ongmanee’s Kao offers a quiet, introspective presence, serving as the troupe’s moral compass.

The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor and drama. The live-dubbing scenes are particularly effective, showcasing the troupe’s improvisational skills and the unique bond they share. A standout moment occurs when they attempt to dub a romantic comedy, with the performers ad-libbing lines and reactions in real-time. The scene is a masterclass in comedic timing, with each actor feeding off the others’ energy to create a genuinely hilarious and heartwarming sequence.

However, Once Upon a Star stumbles in its pacing and structural choices. The film’s narrative is episodic, with each stop on the troupe’s journey introducing new characters and conflicts that often feel disjointed from the central story. While this approach allows for a variety of vignettes, it also makes it difficult to invest deeply in any one arc. For instance, the subplot involving Samart Payakaroon’s Man and Nat Sakdatorn’s Sak feels underdeveloped, with their characters serving more as obstacles than fully realized individuals.

Additionally, some performances falter under the weight of melodramatic dialogue. Phennee Sasithanasophon as Sak’s Older Sister delivers several lines with a heavy hand, pulling the viewer out of the film’s more emotionally charged moments. Similarly, Sornchai Chatwiriyachai’s Wichian and Pattamamontri Siriwet’s Kamjon occasionally feel like caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out characters.

Nimibutr’s direction is largely assured, particularly in the film’s quieter moments. A scene where Jirayu La-ongmanee’s Kao sits alone under the stars, wrestling with his choices, is a standout. The cinematography, too, deserves praise, with sweeping shots of Thailand’s countryside serving as a stark contrast to the claustrophobic confines of the troupe’s van and makeshift performance spaces. These visual contrasts highlight the film’s central theme: the tension between the freedom of the open road and the constraints of their itinerant lifestyle.

The film’s originality is both its greatest strength and weakness. Nimibutr’s decision to focus on a pharma-cinema troupe is intriguing and offers a unique lens through which to explore themes of artistry, commerce, and community. However, the execution sometimes feels uneven, with the film’s genre-bending tendencies occasionally leading to tonal whiplash. For example, a sudden shift from a comedic dubbing scene to a dramatic confrontation can feel jarring, disrupting the film’s narrative flow.

Once Upon a Star is a film that aspires to greatness but ultimately falls short of its ambitions. It’s a movie that will resonate most with viewers who appreciate ensemble dramas and are willing to overlook its structural flaws. The performances are generally strong, particularly from the lead actors, and the film’s unique setting offers plenty of visual and thematic interest. However, those looking for a tightly plotted narrative or consistent tonal balance may find Once Upon a Star disappointing.

In the end, Once Upon a Star is a film that captures the spirit of its traveling performers but struggles to find its own footing. It’s a movie that will leave viewers with a sense of the troupe’s journey but may not stick with them long after the credits roll.