Tears of the Black Tiger

Wisit Sasanatieng
2000

Better late than never is the long overdue U.S. release of this singular Thai curry-western. A film of Interlocking genres complemented by a surreal kaleidoscopic palette with a predominantly pink Bangkok, a blood red river, and a swirling backdrop painting just past the horizon line.

Dum the Black Tiger is the most prized gunslinger in bandit Fai's gang of rootin' tootin' outlaws. When his childhood sweetheart Rumpoey is affianced the local do-gooding Police Captain Kumjorn, Dum resolves to protect his love in the looming battle between Fai and the police, though it means winding up on wrong side of both factions.

Cowboy trappings aside the melodrama between Dum and Rumpoey, told mostly through flashback, has a strongly Eastern feel and saddles and six-shooters are mostly absent. Old timey Thai pop records fortify feelings of longing and heartbreak in this poor-boy meets rich-girl forbidden love story. This gooey frosting is mercifully cut with scenes of pure gonzo mayhem as cops and informers clash with the outlaws. The almost absurdist scenes of violence incorporate plenty of machine guns, an astronomical body count, and rocket launchers! The macho element is further played up in Dum's tenuous friendship with fellow sharp shooter Mahesuan, a pastel and neon wearing betelnut chewer with a quick temper and drawn-on moustache.

The film is remarkably well balanced for its indulgence and the stylistic elements are consistent and sure-footed. Every time Sasanatieng is in danger of going overboard he switches gears in another direction. This fanciful fare also benefits from an emotionally jarring and utterly sobering finish that goes a long way towards redeeming the film from being mere oddity. Let's hope there's a good edition DVD release on the way.

Review by Brett A. Scieszka