Jan Dara: The Beginning

2012 [THAI]

Action / Drama / Romance

19
IMDb Rating 5.6/10 10 960 960

Plot summary

Jan, a young boy, grows up without a mother and is often insulted by his father. He struggles with his life as he longs to be with several women, even Madame Boonleung, his father's lover.

Director

M.L. Pundhevanop Dhewakul Photo
M.L. Pundhevanop Dhewakul

Top cast

Yayaying Rhatha Phongam Photo
Yayaying Rhatha Phongam as Mrs. Boonlueang / Luang's mistress
Pongpat Wachirabunjong Photo
Pongpat Wachirabunjong as Hyacinth's Father
Mario Maurer Photo
Mario Maurer as Jan Dara
Bongkoj Khongmalai Photo
Bongkoj Khongmalai as Miss Waad / Jan Dara's aunt / Luang's wife
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
1.22 GB
1280*538
Thai 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 16 min
Seeds 2
2.51 GB
1904*800
Thai 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
2 hr 16 min
Seeds 12

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by MrBoMzIMDb 6 / 10

Desire, Power, and the Burden of Legacy

Provocative and visually lavish, Jan Dara: The Beginning explores family trauma and forbidden desire, though its indulgence in spectacle often overshadows emotional depth.This Thai period drama revisits Utsana Phleungtham's classic novel, chronicling the troubled youth of Jan Dara (played by Mario Maurer). Born into a household dominated by his tyrannical father, Luang Wisnan (Sakarat Ritthumrong), Jan grows up surrounded by cruelty, resentment, and an atmosphere thick with lust and betrayal. As he matures, he becomes entangled in a web of desire and power that blurs the boundaries between love, revenge, and self-destruction.The film's greatest strength lies in its meticulous production design. The 1930s setting is brought to life through elegant costumes, period architecture, and lush cinematography that highlights both beauty and decay. Performances are strong, particularly Maurer, who portrays Jan's vulnerability and gradual transformation with conviction. The supporting cast adds layers of intrigue, embodying characters consumed by jealousy and temptation.However, the film leans heavily on explicit content, often prioritizing sensual imagery over nuanced storytelling. While it attempts to explore themes of repression, patriarchy, and the cyclical nature of abuse, these ideas are sometimes diluted by melodrama and repetitive confrontations. The pacing can also feel uneven, with extended sequences that slow narrative momentum.Ultimately, Jan Dara: The Beginning succeeds more as a visual and thematic provocation than as an entirely cohesive drama.Rating: 6/10 - A bold and visually striking adaptation that intrigues with its themes of power and desire, but lacks the narrative balance to achieve lasting emotional impact.
Reviewed by amirkhaw 8 / 10

The Beginning

Based on a 1966 bestseller, Jan Dara had previously been adapted for the big screen in 2001. Since I am familiar with neither of those versions, I am seeing this story for the first time without any preconceptions.Also known as "Jan Dara - The Beginning", this version serves as the first of a two parter, with "The Finale" being released one year later.Jan Dara is essentially a coming-of-age story. It's obvious from Jan's younger years, that he's influenced by his father's manipulative and aggressive sexual nature. In one scene, he asks his loving aunt to nurse him because he doesn't have a mother. His aunt hesitantly obliges and Jan uses this opportunity as his first sexual experience. Luckily however, Jan grows into a good looking young man, so he is easily able to use his charm, in contrast to his father, to gain the fancy of many of the women that populate their household.The story can be somewhat melodramatic, which is absolutely fine considering it deals with the themes of family and heirarchy.Overall, I found Jan Dara to be a quite involving story. The erotisicm is generously sprinkled throughout, making this an easy watch. Hopefully part 2 will get a release soon enough.
Reviewed by pouriakamali 6 / 10

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