Films about twins are not exactly unusual in international cinema. It is unusual, though, for this kind of movie to be directed by twin directors, which is exactly what is happening in “You & Me & Me”, where, even more, the twins of the movie are both played by the same actress.
You & Me & Me is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
The story takes place in 1999, just before the Y2K scare had many people believing that the world would end. It is also the same for twin sister Me and You, whose loving relationship and constant shenanigans with their identical appearance seem to not be enough for them to be happy, for the first time in their life. That their parents are on the verge of a divorce is just the beginning, but when their mother decides to take them from Bangkok to her former home in Nakhon Phanom Province, the appearance of a boy, Mark, who is also their classmate, and the fact that they both like him, the real trouble begins. As the two sisters face the spectrum of a split due to their parents' decision, they also have to face a growing rift among them.
Having personal experience regarding their story, Wanweaw and Weawwan create a rather realistic portrait of the lives of twins, both in regards to each other but also regarding the rest of the people around them. And if in the beginning, the “benefits” of an identical appearance are presented in comedic fashion (with them “cheating” in restaurants, cinemas and in school), the appearance of Mark makes things quite complicated. As two people who look exactly the same, and have grown up essentially with common experiences, like the same guy does not come exactly as a surprise, but the way the Hongvivatanas explore it is quite intriguing in its duality. In that fashion, Mark, who starts dating You in the beginning, creates a rift between the two, since Me is feeling left out for the first time in her life. Even more interesting is the way Mark feels, as he is not sure who is the sister he likes the most, particularly after it becomes evident that both like them.
These interactions, and the additional burden of the upcoming divorce and a potential split for the two sisters, for the first time in their lives, is implemented here both to add drama in an otherwise cheerful romantic film, but also allows the narrative to move to a coming-of-age path, as everyone involved has to mature in order to face the new developments in their life. At the same time, the way the comedy of the beginning (which actually permeates the narrative, as the case of the two young boys who like the sisters highlights) gradually becomes a drama is also very smooth and organic, in a testament to the directorial abilities of the two sisters. Some melodramatic notions do take place close to the end, but in general, this aspect is kept grounded, without any particular moments of forced sentimentalism.
The acting is also on a very high level, with Thitiya Jirapornsilp being quite good in the double role, in a performance that must have been hard, having her play both parts by herself before they are “glued” together for the scenes featuring both sisters. The fact that she is quite easy on the eye also helps considering that she is almost always on screen, in a fashion that could also be perceived as somewhat promotional. Tony Anthony Buisseret as Mark is equally good as the apple of discord, with the way he struggles with his feelings and the situation he finds himself in being one of the best assets of the movie, along with his chemistry with his co-protagonists.
Kritsada Nakagate's cinematography captures both the urban setting of Bangkok and the rural of Nakhon Phanom with artistry, while a number of frames in the latter in particular are quite memorable, as much as the ones where the three are riding. Aekkarin Thungrach and Manussa Vorasingha's editing results in a relatively fast pace that works well for the movie's aesthetics, with the two hours of its duration passing quite easily.
“You & Me & Me” is equally cheerful, nostalgic and smart in its comments (something that is evident both in the names of the protagonists and the bulk of dialogues) and a title that is quite pleasant to watch in general.
