Mary is Happy, Mary is Happy

Mary is Happy, Mary is Happy is a unique blend of comedy, drama, and social commentary that has emerged as one of Thailand's most innovative films of 2013. Directed by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, known for his contemplative narrative style, the film stars talented young actors Thanapob Leeratanakachorn, Chonnikan Netjui, Patcha Poonpiriya, which further added to the film’s authentic appeal.

The film was initiated by the Asian Cinema Fund (ACF) as part of their Post Production Fund Program. This project was intriguingly inspired by a Twitter account with over 600,000 followers, who tweeted about 500 times about a fictitious character named Mary. This was what prompted Thamrongrattanarit to create an audio-visual translation of these tweets into a full-length feature film, presenting a fascinating flow of stream-of-consciousness narrative style.

Mary is Happy, Mary is Happy tells the story of a high school senior student named Mary, portrayed brilliantly by Patcha Poonpiriya. The narrative unravels Mary's journey of self-discovery, her interactions with friends and teachers, and her experiences in her final year of high school. The character Mary is a quiet one, often drifting in her own daydream state and who possesses a comically profound view of the world. This view is conveyed through the tweets which appear in the film, and they provide both a humorous quality to Mary's thoughts and a delightfully unexpected perspective on her daily experiences.

Alongside Mary is her best friend Suri, played by Chonnikan Netjui, who provides an interesting contrast to the leading character. Whereas Mary is in an almost constant state of introspection, Suri instead seems more grounded in the real world, complicating their friendship and adding another layer of depth to the movie. The dynamic between Mary and Suri opens a conversation about friendship, identity, and adolescence.

Thanapob Leeratanakachorn contributes a noteworthy performance in his supporting role. His character adds an extra dimension to both Mary's explorations of her own identity and the overall plot.

This film feels deeply personal, almost as if viewers are peeking into Mary's diary. It portrays everyday moments as well as grand adventures, revealing intimate details about Mary's life in a way that's both relatable and entertaining. The director neatly fits tweets into the storyline making this piece much more engaging, infusing moments of drama with elements of social media commentary.

The film also brings attention to the transformative power of social media and provides an intriguing perspective on the emulation of life through the digital realm. The peculiarities and randomness of some tweets are intentionally incorporated into the storyline, leading to several bewildering yet amusing scenes. The fluid narrative may sometimes border on the surreal, yet this peculiarity only adds to its magic and charm.

As for the technical aspects, the cinematography is visually appealing, featuring an array of beautiful and unique shots that shed light on the quiet elegance of everyday life. The screenplay displays the well-incorporated dialogue with the tweets, reflecting the modern blend of reality and digital media.

The almost experimental nature of the film results in a blend of reality and surrealism that is genuinely exciting for viewers. It is marked by several moments of absurdity and humor that actively keep the audience hooked.

The beauty of Mary is Happy, Mary is Happy lies in its ability to balance all these elements - youth, social media, humor, and introspection - into a memorable and thoughtful narrative, providing social commentary while maintaining the light-heartedness we associate with adolescence.

In essence, Mary is Happy, Mary is Happy is a movie where a seemingly simple premise unfolds into a charming, sometimes whimsical, always engaging narrative, layering elements of drama, humor, fantasy, and introspection throughout. The movie makes its audience think and interpret the characters and their scenarios, rendering it a uniquely impactful experience. Parents, teenagers, and even casual movie-goers can find great value in this unusual cinematic gem. Advisory: In spite of its youthful theme, a general mature audience would be more fitting.