U.S. DVD Release
Asian horror directors run for the hills! Somebody, I don’t know who, but somebody told us Westerners we could do Asian horror just as good as any Asian. I know…I know…some of you are scoffing right now; preparing to throw crushed Miller cans at me but the fact remains that we Westerners can do Eastern horror when given the chance. Writer/director Mark Duffield did just that!
I should be honest though, as amazed as I was to hear Ghost of Mae Nak was written and directed by an Englishman, I was also just as amazed to discover the film didn’t suck. Ghost of Mae Nak was an intelligent and interesting spin on the Thai legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. Duffield never insults the viewers with silly winks or outrageous Asian slapstick. Ghost of Mae Nak is a straight up ghost story that deals with true love and the heartache of losing it.
Young and in love, Mak (Siwat Chotchaicharin) and Nak (Pataratida Pacharawirapong), make the plunge into marriage and even purchasing their own home. They get a great deal from a local estate dealer for an older home in need of serious repair. The couple are willing to accept the challenge though and with the help of their friends, begin the process of bringing the home to life once again.
Not all is well though as two low life burglars spot the Family moving in while casing the area. They decide to rip the newlyweds off and they make off with all of their presents and clothing including an antique brooch Make purchased for Nak as a wedding present.
While out walking, Mak comes across one of the thieves attempting to sell some of their presents on the street and he gives chase. Unfortunately, poor Mak is struck by a car and ends up in a coma in the hospital. Nak is heartbroken as there’s no way of knowing when, or if, Mak will ever awaken.
Aside from the burglary, something else is slowly making its presence known in the lives of Mak and Nak and it’s apparently protecting the young couple. The estate dealer and one of the thieves meet horrible ends at the hands of a ghastly specter!
By chance, while Nak is looking through some second hand clothes in a street market, she comes across their clothes and in the pocket, the brooch Mak purchased for her! She attempts to leave after she’s confronted by the remaining thief and his mother but, once again, the thief meets a gruesome death thanks to the vengeful spirit.
During a visit with Mak, Nak witnesses Mak awaken and relay a message to her that she’s to find Mae Nak (Porntip Papanai). He then lapses back into a coma without any proof of having woken up at all. His parents are concerned and believe Mak needs an exorcism. Naturally, an exorcism of the caliber needed to shake a spirit from Mak would prove fatal. Nak sets out to find Mae Nak and to hopefully set her spirit at peace.
What connection does the brooch have to Mae Nak and what does Mae Nak want from Mak and Nak? Would she harm them or was she simply calling out for help from beyond the grave?
An ancient spirit reawakened by love must be found and put to rest or Mak and Nak will be separated forever.
Ghost of Mae Nak a bit better than the standard Asian horror fare we’ve seen recently though I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a classic. It’s certainly a stand up job by Mark Duffield but it never really goes to great lengths to actually SCARE the viewer. In my opinion one of the biggest problems with Asian horror is that it’s no longer interested in scaring us with originality. It just seems easier to try and imitate the best sequences of older, better films and each time those sequence’s impact is lessened.
The acting was top notch, the sets and locations were wonderful and the FX was decent but I must say I wasn’t at all pleased with the CG FX used to accent the hands on work. CG almost never looks “realistic” when it comes to films like this and in Ghost of Mae Nak’s case…it actually worked against it. I don’t think it hurt the movie any but I’m always aware of CG and it really takes me out of many films.
As always, Tartan serves up a nice little release though it was a tad light on extras. The “making of…” featurette was cool but a bit tedious without any narration of any kind. It was like watching a documentary with nobody to walk you through it.
Ghost of Mae Nak is watchable and you’ll find yourself quickly caring for the characters, just don’t expect to find any grudges, curses or hot ladyboy’s here. Like all Western ghost stories, simply putting a ghost to rest by completing some task is the norm and this film is no exception. I’d recommend this to Asian horror fans because it’s a solid entry that won’t dazzle but will certainly satisfy.
