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The Overture

Released Oct 6, 2005 1h 44m Drama List
60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A talented young musician (Anuchit Sapunpohng) plays the Thai xylophone for a prince's court.
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The Overture

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Jeff Shannon Seattle Times If you don't mind a bit of treacle in your cinematic cultural-exchange program, The Overture will warm you inside and out. Rated: 3/4 Dec 2, 2005 Full Review G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle A by-the-numbers, simple tale that pulls out all the cliched melodramatic stops when it should be exploring an obviously fascinating character in Thai history. Rated: 2/4 Oct 7, 2005 Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews the music strikes to the very core just what it means to be human Rated: B May 17, 2007 Full Review Sean Axmaker Seattle Post-Intelligencer ... a combination of gee-whiz reverence and cheesy melodrama... Rated: C+ Dec 4, 2005 Full Review Mark R. Leeper rec.arts.movies.reviews The film probably loses some of its effect when it is brought to a Western culture, but it is still captivating. Rated: 7/10 Dec 20, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (30) audience reviews
Miko S although it is a bit corny, i was moved to tears several times. the main theme is the importance of music, especially traditional music which is resisting bland beige modernization... music is the healing force of the universe! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/03/24 Full Review Phimphitcha N One of the best Thai traditional scores of all time. I grew up watching this movie when I was young. in fact, this is how Thai society back then looks like. Even the film is based on true story there are still so many things that can relate to how much Thai music has changed so far. I still enjoy watching this movie because of the scores and how this movie conveys genuine Thai music to the audience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/09/24 Full Review Audience Member This movie, while competently made, was also highly formulaic. All the cliches of this kind of story were used, and the movie more than once delved into Hallmark-movie levels of cheesiness. that being said, the story being told is valuable, and is worth telling. Overture tells the story of a Ranad player in Thailind, who we follow throughout the film. This Ranad player experiences the Japanese occupation of Thailand, and uses his music to cope with the changes that are happening around him. if the film were perhaps somewhat better written, it might make more of the impact it seems to want to make on the audience, about the power of music. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member I would definitely recommend this movie if you are passionate about music and/or interested in Thai culture and history. The movie is based on the real life of Luang Pradith Phairao and follows a gifted musician in Thailand named Sorn. Throughout the movie, Sorn is on a journey to become a better musician and to prove that he truly is the best at playing the Ranad-ek (Thai equivalent of a xylophone). The climax of the story is reached when Sorn must compete head-to-head with an even more skilled, experienced Ranad player who is considered the best in the whole country. The movie mainly illustrates Sorn's growth as a young man and a musician, but it also flashes forward to show Sorn as an older man as he tries to preserve the traditional Thai instruments and music during WWII (with the help of his son). At this time, Thailand was undergoing major cultural reforms to become more modernized and Westernized. The plot is slow at some points, and there are some parts of the plot that don't add anything to the story as a whole, such as the romance between Sorn and the young woman at the palace. However, as the movie is based on a true story, this is understandable. Overall, the movie is enjoyable, and the music is absolutely beautiful. Thus, this movie deserves a four star rating :) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member I enjoyed this movie "The Overture" because the protagonist Luang Pradit Phairoh displayed strength and determination against his obstacles of pursuing his music career. Despite the audience and his father discouraging his ability to risk his dignity of competing against his opponent, he still demonstrated his creative skills. I liked the part of the movie when the Piphat broke apart a few times, I think the instrument symbolized his confidence and nerves of performing in front of the Thai community. When he was nervous and lost faith within himself, the instrument broke down with him, but I enjoyed the fact that he kept going and changed the tune to accommodate to his music. His trainer reminded me of my grandma, seeking wisdom and encouragement when he needed it the most. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member I thought this movie was average. I can only recommend it to people who have a passion for music or have an interest in Thai culture. If neither of those two things peak your interest, then there may not be much here for you. This movie follows a man named Sorn and he is really good at playing the Ranat. He and some other people from his village go around playing their instruments and Sorn is eventually recognized by another really good Ranat player and he becomes our villain in this story. Without spoiling the ending, the story beats in this movie are pretty formulaic and you can predict how the movie concludes from a mile away. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Overture

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis A talented young musician (Anuchit Sapunpohng) plays the Thai xylophone for a prince's court.
Director
Ittisoontorn Vichailak
Producer
Pisamai Laodara, Ittisoontorn Vichailak, Chatrichalerm Yukol
Screenwriter
Peerasak Saksiri, Donkamon Srattatip, Ittisoontorn Vichailak
Distributor
Kino International Corp.
Production Co
Gimmick Film, Sahamongkol Film International, Hunsar Films, Prommitr Production
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Thai
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 6, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.1K
Runtime
1h 44m
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