Today’s quick review: Bangkok Dangerous. Kong (Pawalit Mongkolpisit), a deaf hitman living in Bangkok, works with Joe (Pisek Intrakanchit), his friend and mentor. Kong’s life gains new meaning when he falls in love with Fon (Premsinee Ratanasopha), a kind-hearted pharmacist. But everything begins to unravel when a lowlife assaults Joes’s ex-girlfriend Aom (Patharawarin Timkul), drawing both Kong and Joe into a ruinous hunt for revenge.
Bangkok Dangerous is a Thai crime drama about the life of a young hitman. The movie follows Kong on the job, where his skill earns him steady work, and in his personal life, where Joe and Aom are his only friends until he meets Fon. Bangkok Dangerous takes an organic approach to its story, spending time with Kong and the others until events upset the balance of his life. The result is a movie that’s sprinkled with good moments but lacks a strong hook.
Bangkok Dangerous is most notable for its stylization. The movie experiments with its camerawork and its visuals, using devices like close shots and skewed color palettes to establish the tone. These bits of stylization are pervasive. While not every experiment is successful, the stylization gives the movie a rough, busy quality that sets it apart from anything else.
The story is a mixed bag. Kong makes for an interesting character due to his deafness, his loyalty to his friends, and his doubts about his profession. Most of the movie’s emotional payoff comes from the handful of moments where Kong reaches a turning point. But the plot as a whole is loose and slow to get moving. The script also leaves too much unsaid, forcing the audience to piece together facts that easily could have been conveyed through dialogue.
Bangkok Dangerous makes for a rough but rewarding crime drama with its own distinct style. The visuals, characters, and emotional beats all make Bangkok Dangerous worth a watch for anyone who is curious. At the same time, the unfocused plot, downbeat tone, and confusing presentation style will deter more casual viewers. Give it a shot if you’re willing to take the movie on its own terms. Skip it if you’re looking for straightforward action.
For an alternate take on the same premise, try the remake starring Nicolas Cage. For a French drama about the melancholy life of an assassin, check out La Femme Nikita. For a darker and more stylized crime movie set in Bangkok, check out Only God Forgives. For a stylized movie about a silent criminal, check out Drive.
6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a decent story with a fair amount of style.