We were fighting back (ugly) tears at the end of the film.

“Brother of the Year” is directed by Vithaya Thongyuyong (My Girl, The Little Comedian), and stars Thai heartthrob Sunny Suwanmethanont (Chut), Nichkhun Horvejkul (Moji) of Korean boy band 2PM, and TV actress Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund (Jane).

Cast shares their thoughts on “sibling rivalry” film

Director Vithaya

“The relationship between a brother and sister is very unique compared to other relationships (brother-brother, or sister-sister). They have a love and hate relationship, which comes a bit different, and more fun. Even if we hate our sibling, we just CANNOT cut them out of our lives.”

“You’ll feel pity, happiness, enjoyment, and sadness as you watch this movie. Prepare your tissues, because for sure you will cry!”

Sunny

“I am the youngest [among my siblings], so I didn’t experience any sibling rivalry at all. This movie made me appreciate them.”

“We cannot choose our sister/brother. That is how life works. I just realized how lucky I am to have them [siblings].”

Chanchalerm

“You can come and watch this movie even if you have no sibling. You will really be touched.”

ALSO READ: Q&A: Sandara Park and Nam Joo Hyuk

MOVIE REVIEW

To be completely honest, I didn’t really expect the movie to go a certain direction other than silly sibling rivalry and romance. Nevertheless, it is something worth noting, because it made the film more emotional. Brother of the Year is not about the lovers. If anything, the sibling relationship between Chut and Jane COMPLETELY sidelines Jane and Moji’s romance.

The first quarter of the film sees the reunion of older brother Chut, and younger sister Jane after living apart for many years. Chut was still the same carelessly lazy, and happy-go-lucky guy that he was; and Jane, the bossy, woman of action.

All in slapstick comedy, sibling squabbles from childhood to present, were shown to further solidify the characters’ personalities. It was pretty entertaining, even with the inconsistencies. Jane was to portray an independent, and headstrong character, but she still “conforms to the gender stereotype of being the default housekeeper,” and even the maintenance person in the house. Not to mention, she was adamant about getting male consent (from family) before marriage. Since their dad was dismissed from the picture, the decision was left to Chut. (Why?) 

On the other hand, Chut was the “lazy brother” who busied himself living a wild bachelor life. Yet, he was the top account executive in his advertising company. I’m not saying success and indolence could never co-exist. But still, the inconsistency! He didn’t seem to work a single day before.

The real progress of the film was when Jane started to date a half-Japanese colleague from work. Chut was determined to put a stop to whatever makes her happy a.k.a. bully her boyfriend Moji, or maybe at least get a bit of fun from torturing them both. Fast forward to significant scenes: Moji made a misstep in his work, in favor of his relationship with Jane and her brother Chut. Then, Jane decided to marry Moji, and it made Chut’s brotherly instincts FINALLY kick in. Cue a couple of fights. 

The two sought reconciliation shortly before Jane’s wedding day, but a simple message triggered Chut’s childhood-driven feelings of insecurity, and bitterness. It crushed his ego, just as much as it crushed his heart. It uncovered a deep revelation, the most relatable and most important part of the film, that speaks to the universal quality of sibling relationships. Chut put it into words in a conversation with their company intern, “I don’t hate Jane. But I hate myself when I’m with Jane.” 

Seeing Chut sever his ties out of toxic resentment for his sister was particularly painful – all because it felt so real. What could ever beat the human ego? With siblings having such different levels of tolerance and sensitivity, they were doomed to experience estrangement.

With hindsight, they should have been more honest about their brewing rivalry since they were kids. But I guess it’s not so easy to open up the issue, and anyway, the conflict only made them realize that love for family is the sweetest after it triumphs such a big hurdle.

Ranked as #1 in Thai Box Offices and across Asia, romcom movie “Brother of the Year” opens September 5, 2018 in the Philippine cinemas.

Let me know what you think! 🙂