DVD Review: Chocolate (Thai movie)

Sometimes you can watch a movie and know that you are watching a star. The presence and ability just stands out and you cannot help but be awed. While this happens occasionally in dramas and comedies, it is rare in an action film. But when it does you know it.

Bruce Lee was such an actor. Jackie Chan is that caliber of actor. Around the world there are many others that hope to be grouped with these men, to be held in the same degree of immortality. But that rarely happens.

I just finished watching a DVD, Chocolate, and I think I have seen a star that may well be able to be mentioned along with those 2 mega-entertainers. Jeeja Yanin (or Yanin Vismistananda, I’m not sure which is the correct version of her name). If you don’t recognize the name, I think you will in time. And she is a woman.

Chocolate is by no means a chick flick. At least by U.S. standards anyway. It is directed by Prachya Pinkaew who created the Thai sensation Ong-Bak. While Tony Jaa gained an audience here in the states, I think Yanin will surpass that with ease.



The movie is not like a traditional American action film. It’s not because of the dubbing, nor the sub-titles (both are options – in Spanish, Thai, and English). There is a plot, which happens to make sense and is pretty decent.

The movie starts with a Romeo and Juliet romance of a Japanese Yakuza (Masashi) and a Thai mob boss (Number 8) girlfriend (Zin), in Thailand. This obviously leads to a confrontation. But to prevent the worst from happening Zin asks that Masashi go back to Japan and never see her again.

He does as she wishes, even though he later finds out she was pregnant with his child. The child is a daughter, named Zen, that seems to be a high order autistic. We learn as the girl grows she has lightning reflexes, and photographic reflexes as well. Meaning she can watch Ong-Bak (nice plug) on television and/or watch the Muay Thai school across her yard and reproduce the moves flawlessly, though faster.

Eventually Zin builds a routine and picks up a stray boy to raise along with her daughter. As they reach their teens Zin becomes ill with an undisclosed illness – though it appears to be similar to cancer. The cost of the medication is enormous and requires several visits to the hospital, when there is money available. It is during the first of these visits that the kids find an old mob book of debts. The kids not knowing why money is owed to Zin decide to collect the money and use it for her medication.

Now I won’t tell you much more about what ensues, other than in the process of collecting the money we learn the full extent of Zen’s ability. And it is stunning.

She is as fast as Lee, as flexible as Chan, and uses the same style of fighting as Jaa. She is a whirlwind of power and precision. Yet always maintaining the innocence of a child not quite understanding all the implications of her actions. She wants her mom to be better and nothing will stop her in that quest.

The plot is semi-dark and bittersweet, and thus the apt name of Chocolate. The direction keeps you involved, interested, and perhaps only slightly bored for about 4 or 5 minutes. I wish several martial arts movies made here in the U.S. had the same intensity.

Now if you are a fan of the wire-fu that Jet Li employs you will be disappointed. Yanin is all about real moves. And as is seen in the film’s end and making of extras on the DVD, she gets hurt. Though many of the extras are far worse off.

Yanin is a tough woman, especially for her age (now 24 I believe). She works hurt, and is quite adept in her martial arts ability. The other key fighters in the film are equally as good. Which really allows you to be immersed in what happens. And you really care about the plot too.

Stephen Segal wishes his films made as much sense. Van Damme dreams of being as good. And any rapper who thinks he is really tough would be laughable standing in a scene with Yanin.

Honestly, you could go out and spend $30 to see a film out right now – and be completely disappointed just before you forget the entire film you saw. Or you could buy this DVD and really enjoy some quality martial arts action.

If you are a fan of the genre you will thank me. If you aren’t a fan, this will likely make you one.