LAST TWILIGHT – SOME EARLY THOUGHTS

If you're hesitating at the doorstep of Last Twilight because you're not a fan of JimmySea, or because you've been overly disappointed by GMMTV of late, or because the plot of this BL seems hackneyed and/or sappy... I think Ep.1 may yet surprise you, as it did me. 😍

Whenever Khun Noppharnach eases into the director's seat, some kind of magic happens. I have no other explanation for this... I never thought much of this branded pair; Vice Versa was one big yawn as far as I was concerned (despite some very interesting world-building – but all that promise was soon squandered), and Jimmy's acting never seemed too far removed from barely-animated woodblock (in BBS especially, though he was greatly improved in VV).

But Ep.1 of Last Twilight has made me re-think all of that... Yes the plot does reek somewhat of the contrived (bad boy meets suffering, deficient angel and each is obviously fated to be the other's salvation). But Director Aof has managed to introduce some nuance into their portrayals (Sea's Day isn't some shining, selfless martyr – he's a sardonic, cynical, self-hating Dr. House destined for a different cane; Jimmy's Bad Boy Mhok – hello do-over Wai! – has emotional baggage from his sister's death and a strangely believable, platonic and supportive relationship with his ex-girlfriend Porjai, played by a luminous Namtan). The acting from the two main leads is notches above what we've seen them do in previous outings (I live for Sea's snarky little smirks, whenever Day's self-hate threatens to explode out at the world; and there are flashes of emotion crossing Jimmy's face that I never thought I'd live to see – watch the expressions flicker across his face when Porjai visits him in the lock-up, bearing dark news of his big sis Rung).

I think part of Director Aof's talent, that we never seem to give him enough credit for, is his ability to draw out the best from his actors. If they're limited by inexperience, there's only so much he can do (thus the Wai we got in Bad Buddy) but once they have more to give, it shows and I think he's the catalyst.

The cinematog is crisp and clear, but it also makes heavy use of close-ups with elements (usually faces) always slightly out-of-frame, calling out to Day's visual predicament perhaps? 🤔

And we've already had a director cameo! Assistant Director Meng Chaiyapat Pitisutrakul was also one of the interview candidates at Ep.1 [1‌/4] 21.16 and ‌Ep.1 [1‌/4] 23.18 (he mentions his appearance on Facebook, linked here.)

I have cautious hopes for this one. You can sense Khun Noppharnach's assured hand operating behind the scenes, and it truly shows up in the work onscreen. Such a contrast with Only Friends, and so refreshing too.