Congrats My Ex! Review Prime A romantic comedy that seamlessly blends Thai and Indian elements.

Congrats My Ex! The streaming movie on Prime Video tells the story of Risa (played by Bella Ranee Campen), a single woman who is tasked with organizing the wedding for her ex-boyfriend, an Indian guy who left her. She also has to hire another ex-boyfriend as the photographer. While her heart has yet to move on, what will happen next?

 

Congrats My Ex! Review (No Spoilers)

The film, which received direct funding from Prime, is directed and written by Prueksa Amaruji (Bike Man 2018). Collaborating with Indian screenwriter Vikram Malhotra and featuring two popular actors, Bella-Bright, As a result, this Thai film has received a response beyond expectations, thanks to the successful collaboration that transcends national boundaries.

With a cast of lead actors that naturally captivates viewers, the movie doesn’t require excessive praise from the writer. What makes this film truly exceptional is that it encompasses all elements—comedy, romance, drama, and a plot that delves into the depths of the audience’s hearts. The film executes comedy in a uniquely Thai style, delivering genuine laughter throughout. It’s almost a perfect 10 in terms of humor. For those expecting this kind of experience, the comedic moments are skillfully woven into the narrative, blending seamlessly with the Indian characters. It’s certain that even international audiences will find joy in these down-to-earth jokes. One memorable scene involves a hilarious car chase in the chaotic traffic of the storyline, where viewers are left both laughing and sympathizing with the drama, wondering how the characters will navigate the situation. The film’s humor, combined with the intertwining of Thai and Indian characters, adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

 

In the romantic scenes of the movie, the narrative is rich with the backstories of both the Thai and Indian ex-lovers, presented in an appropriate quantity. Even though viewers are aware that the protagonist is Tim (played by Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree), as this is a Thai film, the script equally shares the story of Aurun (played by Maher Panudith) to create a balanced perspective. This adds depth to the plot, allowing the audience to explore a returning love from the past. The main question isn’t about the leading lady returning to fall in love with someone, but rather, she is the one organizing the event herself. The company is on the verge of collapse if the event is not successful, creating a conflict with her desires to escape the painful memories of past love. She must endure it even though it hurts. The film cleverly inserts new romantic scenes in the present timeline, featuring Tim’s playful and enticing gestures that tug at the heartstrings of the Indian ex-lover, adding a delightful mix of romance and teasing to the story.

Moreover, there are surprises that add further layers of depth to the movie. It delves into various intricacies, such as the detailed wedding rituals of India, featuring numerous ceremonies. The film meticulously portrays these details, providing viewers with a deeper understanding. For example, the significance of the patterns drawn on the bride’s body is explained, and the film explores the perspective of Indian parents on marriage and love.

Furthermore, there is a subtle and tender climax in the romantic scenes, particularly the Plot twist at the end by the Indian couple. Typically, a Thai film might have concluded more straightforwardly, but this movie embraces the Indian film style, providing plausible reasons. The film allocates parts to showcase the Thai ending, complemented with insightful quotes and details that support the overall narrative.

 

And one notable aspect deserving applause is the dance scenes, totaling two, which is something rarely seen in Indian streaming movies on Netflix due to the higher production costs associated with choreography, dance rehearsals, and creating new music. However, in this film, dance scenes are incorporated right from the beginning. There’s a scene narrating the past of the female lead and the Indian guy through a catchy Thai rap song, accompanied by amusing dance moves that blend seamlessly. This is followed by a highlight dance scene at the wedding, featuring both couples. The use of lively Indian music and the way the dance scenes cut through to reveal the hidden emotions of the characters is exceptionally well-executed, allowing the audience to grasp the emotions effectively (especially significant in Indian cinema’s dance scenes).

 

The downside of the movie is just this—it’s a romantic comedy that presents the story of two cultures together. The plot had to divide its focus in many ways, making it not entirely seamless. However, the reality is that if viewers love the characters in this type of story, it’s not a significant drawback. If someone has seen and enjoyed the director’s (Prueksa Amaruji) previous works, they may find similarities in the storytelling style, making it easy to appreciate and follow the narrative.

In summary, this is a streaming movie that offers a well-rounded blend of the two cultures—Thai and Indian—with a balanced distribution of roles. It includes scenes of Thai and Indian dance separately. The film is rich with both comedic and romantic moments, featuring charming lead actors such as Bella and Bright who exhibit excellent chemistry. However, what stands out is the exploration of the intricate details of love, complex aspects of marriage, and how to navigate modern romance. The film cleverly ends with Plot twist, reminiscent of Indian cinema, and concludes impressively with a Thai story. In essence, it’s a movie that is easy to enjoy and even sneakily fall in love with. Kudos to director Prueksa Amaruji, who truly excels in this genre.

 

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