Set in a time when the global pandemic couldn't harm nor decimate our dreams of a prosperous decade to come, Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit's cup-stacking throw-down Fast & Feel Love is a genre-infused tour-de-force. Before dangerous variants, before economic recessions, before any semblance of a downfall to come; the latest venture from the renowned Thai auteur relishes within the confines of pre-pandemic nostalgia. For a comedy built around cultural references found predominantly from the West, Thamrongrattanarit understands the sociological trends buried within the bygone narratives of the late 2010's — without ever sacrificing his singular pastiche.
Throughout, Fast & Feel Love often calls back to forgotten pop-culture emblems. An extended parody of Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite and even a subtle mention of George Lucas' infamous sand-monologue from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones exemplifies the uplifting tone of the film — whilst creating a meta-text between the film's naive lead and his scattershot media-centric perspective. The title, a tongue-in-cheek homage to the Fast and Furious franchise, provides passage for viewers to distinctly empathise and find comedic solace throughout the film's episodic tale of romance, cup-stacking, and rigorous relationship drama.
A comedy of domestic errors set within the abstract field of world-record breaking hysteria — the film employs a unique directorial methodology to accompany its plethora of romantic subplots. Thamrongrattanarit executes sequences with intense prowess; utilising rapid panning, hard-cuts, and comical close-ups for effective relief. Beyond the realm of unadulterated laughter, reveals a moral-compass self-contained with refreshing maturity. Unlike the Western-routed homages Thamrongrattanarit implements throughout the film, the end resolution between the film's protagonist and his love interest ultimately concludes with a moment of intimacy and palpable realism. The film's extensive run-time often drags the core-conflict, yet Thamrongrattanarit finds ingenuity within sequences of repetitive melodrama.
Fast & Feel Love never sacrifices its authentic humour & cringe, often intercepting creative parallels between situational drama and lackadaisical sports comedy. Yet, as per any Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit production, the film also wades in the aesthetic trademarks of his pre-existing work. Liminal spaces, New Year celebrations, and a frequent use of the colour white creates innovative cultural parallels within a story already self-contained with a rich meta-text. The film's visual design radiates the comfortability of a furniture catalog; creating a space for imperfect characters destined for mutual self-destruction within an anatomically “perfect” space. There's an endearing quality to all of Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit's films, where the crux of his work augments powerful stories for our current generation of credulous dreamers. As expected upon arrival, Fast & Feel Love is another impactful addition to his growing oeuvre of affecting features.
