Ploy

Ploy is a provocative Thai film from 2007 directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, known for his distinctive cinematic style that fuses highly emotive narrative with a delicate blend of dark humor, and visually artistic gestures. The film stars Ananda Everingham, Lalita Panyopas and Porntip Panyopas, all delivering exceptional performances that translate the director's vision with remarkable insight, sensitivity and depth.

In Ploy, we follow the story of a middle-aged couple, Wit (Ananda Everingham) and Dang (Lalita Panyopas), who have returned to Bangkok after living in the United States for many years. The couple, who have been married for seven years, find themselves in the sterile environment of an upscale hotel as they wait for their flight to Sydney. Jet-lagged and unable to sleep, they're confronted with their own reality which is full of unspoken resentment, suppressed feelings and fading passion.

Wit, a renowned bartender nearing his 50s, takes notice of a young woman named Ploy (Porntip Papanai). Ploy is a 19-year-old freshly arrived from the southern provinces of Thailand, waiting for her mother to arrive in the city. Wit offers Ploy a place to rest and wait at their hotel room, a decision that frustrates Dang, creating a sense of unease and insecurity. Ploy's presence, innocence, and youth introduce a disruptive element into Wit and Dang's relationship, her presence reflecting the simmering tensions that have been brewing underneath.

As the day progresses, the trio's interaction deepens, with Ploy symbolizing not only the element of youth and otherness but also illustrates the separation between the past and the present, home and foreignness. The intense sense of nostalgia for a past life in Thailand and the current situation in a foreign land becomes a central theme blending with the aesthetic codes that Ratanaruang uses throughout the film.

In terms of cinematography, Ploy is arguably one of the director’s most visually appealing films. The director and cinematographer Chankit Chamnivikaipong step away from conventional narration, offering the audience an atmospheric, dream-like sequence that blurs the boundaries of reality. They exploit the eerie, depersonalized hotel setting to evoke a sense of alienation and unrest – qualities that resonate with the inner lives of the characters.

The film shifts between reality, dreams, and hallucinations, sometimes leaving viewers wondering where the dreams end and reality begins. The narrative is interspersed with moments of mystery, suspense, and introspection, fueled by the sharp contrast between the sterile atmosphere of the hotel and the surges of raw human emotions within and between the characters.

Through its characters, Ploy explores various themes such as love, jealousy, loneliness, fear of aging, and existential angst, with a touch of dark humor. Dang represents the insecure middle-aged woman, Wit the man battling midlife crisis, and Ploy, the embodiment of youthful naivety and simultaneous disruption. All characters have distinct point of views, each narrative layer revealing a deeper level of their anxieties and dilemmas.

Ploy is not a typical drama; it is a compelling psychological narrative that delves into the human psyche's intricate layers. It presents a compelling take on the complexities of relationships. Ratanaruang’s distinctive storytelling style emphasizes the use of silence, allowing the actors' expressions and the settings to speak volumes, thus creating a tense and emotionally intense atmosphere throughout the film.

Ananda Everingham, Lalita Panyopas, and Porntip Papanai have delivered captivating performances in Ploy, as they navigate through dilemmas that are universally human and relatable. The actors infuse their respective roles with a quiet intensity that carries the narrative forward in a rhythm that aligns seamlessly with the movie's pacing and mood.

In conclusion, Ploy is a distinctly intense, emotionally rich, and thought-provoking film. It engages viewers by staging the emotionally charged conversations and awkward silences that fill Wit and Dang's space, creating an unnerving and captivating viewing experience. With Ploy, Ratanaruang continues to affirm his reputation as a director with an intricate understanding of human emotions and relationships, bringing those qualities to life with perceptive insights and artistic mastery.