The underdog that challenges adversity and succeeds is a story that has been told for centuries in a number of variations. It's endurance over so much time can be attributed to the fact that this singular plot, despite its predictability, encompasses the realization of the dream of success that all humans strive for. It lacks any pretention and simply seeks to portray another layer of the universal struggle that each and every person endures every day. The beauty of this story is that it can be applied to any circumstance and any person and will usually feel refreshing by virtue of its new approach.
For his fiction feature film debut "The Rocket", Australian director Kim Mordaunt has chosen to re-imagine this ageless tale in Laos where a young boy Ahlo (Sitthiphon Disamoe) must prove that he is capable of doing good for his family. As the film commences, Mordaunt presents the birth of Ahlo and his still-born twin. The viewer is immediately told that giving birth to twins is risky business in the culture because one of the infants will carry bad luck. Since one of the children is dead, Mali (Alice Keohavong), Ahlo's mother, is urged to kill off her living child by her mother-in-law Taitok (Bunsri Yindi). Mali ultimately chooses to keep Ahlo alive despite warnings that he could be the bearer of misfortune. Fast-forward 10 years and Ahlo has in fact been the bearer of bad news. His family is being forced out of their village to accommodate the construction of a new dam. During the journey, Ahlo unintentionally causes the death of his own mother and a number of other major misfortunes befall the family as a result of coincidence and even Ahlo's own guilty nature after being told that he is a twin.
Eventually Ahlo faces the challenge of building a rocket to enter a contest to save his family from its nomadic lifestyle. This obstacle encompasses the final portion of the film and features a breathtaking climax that is cathartic and powerful in its delivery.
The remainder of the film develops Ahlo's feelings of guilt with his sense of wonder and exploration. While at an encampment for relocated peoples, Ahlo befriends Kia (Loungnam Kaosainam) and her oddball uncle Purple (Thep Phongam) and the two children embark on a sweet friendship that hints at but never indulges in romantic feelings.
The film is rife with humorous moments to balance the constant images of poverty and famine. As the two children tour a local town to find out how to make a rocket, they come upon a group of men that have built miniature rockets that they are openly relating to and using in sexual terms. As the children look on, Kia tells Ahlo that she hopes "his rocket is big." At one point, Purple complains that he can't watch his television because the electricity is being used up by a few tenants that are in charge of the controls of the encampment. In hopes of turning on the TV, Ahlo steals the power from the energy source and feeds it to Purple's TV. As the furious guards chase after Ahlo, Mordaunt blasts a James Brown song that Purple is dancing to. During another sequence, the viewer is treated to repeated failures of Ahlo building his rocket.
The dark imagery in the film is equally powerful. The freak accident that kills Mali is completely unexpected as it is preceded by an intimate moment between mother and son. Later in the film, Ahlo enters a bat cave (for rather humorous purposes that will not be spoiled here). In traditional literature this is the cave that the hero must enter to face his demons; Ahlo certainly does in a scene that is so disturbing it almost feels slightly out of place in the context. However, the fear it induces is so powerful that it remains with the viewer long after. Other harsh sequences include explosions that the viewer doesn't expect; these occurrences take place a number of times and each one is equally surprising.
Most of the cast members are non-actors, but no one would know based on the powerful performances they all deliver. Disamoe presents ample range in his acting debut, especially during the sequence that follows the death of his mother. Mordaunt shoots the youngster in close-up in different locations as a means of portraying the slow progression of his mourning. A few of these shots reveal the boy holding back his tears but one shot near the end of sequence clearly portrays that inner strength starting to cave in. The quiet innocence that he showcases in the beginning slowly dissipates and by the end of the film, Ahlo almost seems to be a young man. While he is still playful and energetic, there is a gravity and stoicism in his delivery.
Kaosainam is delightful as Kia and adds tenderness to the film while Phongam steals every scene with his aloofness and unpredictability. During one sequence he stops the children from playing and grabs the two viciously. There is anticipation that he might harm the children (after all he is a drunk) but he winds up saving their lives in a most unexpected manner. Sumrit Warin (Toma) counterattacks the playfulness of Phongam by instilling Ahlo's father with a serious gravity throughout; he never cracks a smile. Yindi is equally serious, but occasionally adds comic touches with snappy dialogue. Her cruel treatment of Ahlo (she glares at him almost the entire time) makes her a tough character for the audience to sympathize with, but her charismatic moments lure the viewer in.
The film maintains a dynamic style with the camera remaining in motion for most of the film. Mordaunt gives the viewer gorgeous vistas of Laos, but also presents the viewer with endless amounts of clos- up shots that allow for easy identification with the characters. When Ahlo is first introduced he is on a swing flying up and down, a reference to the rocket contest later in the film. Throughout this entire scene, the camera remains tight on the child, recording his enthusiastic smiles; it is impossible for the viewer to not feel an immediate kinship with the character.
Even with minimal plot spoilers, anyone can see this film's ending even before the film begins. However, the journey with its depictions of poverty and hardship as well as coming of age makes it well worth the viewer's attention. When this story of the underdog is done well, it is easily the most riveting story to experience. "The Rocket" is an exceptional film with stellar performances and tremendous filmmaking.
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