Hom rong (The Overture) poster & wallpaper
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Anuchit Saphanphong, Adul Dulyarat, Arratee Tanmahapran, Narongrit Tosa-nga, Phongphat Wachirabanjong ... see more see more... , Phuwarid Phumphuang , Sumeth Ong-ard , Anuchit Sapanpong , Chumphorn Thepphithak , Phoovarit Phumpuang , Pongpat Wachirabunjong , Kiat Punpiputt , Sompob Benjathikul

A master musician defends his talent and his family's reputation against political interference and artistic challenges in this historical drama from Thailand. Sorn (played as a young man by Anuchit S... read more read more...aphanphong and as an older man by Adul Dulyarat) was the younger brother of a musician who was a master of the ranard-ek, a wooden percussion instrument similar to the xylophone. Sorn was eager to follow in his brother's footsteps, but his family discouraged him until his brother was killed in a fistfight with rival musicians, and Sorn took up the instrument to honor his memory. While Sorn displayed an easy talent on the ranard-ek, he was also headstrong and lacked discipline, and after impressing local audiences, he first tasted humiliation when he was outclassed in a competition with master musician Im Krun (Narongrit Tosa-nga). From that point on, Sorn dedicated himself to serious study of the ranard-ek and honing his talent in anticipation of another face-off against Im Khun. However, Sorn's rise to the peak of his form comes as the Thai government introduces a sweeping program of "cultural control," as certain traditional art forms were discouraged in the name of bringing the nation a more modernized lifestyle. Released in North America under the title The Overture, Hoam Rong was inspired by the true-life story of Thai musician Luang Pradit Phairao. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

87% liked it

516 ratings

Critics

60% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Ittisoontorn Vichailak

Release Date: May 21, 2005

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DVD Release Date: March 7, 2006

Stats: 39 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (39)

  • dad700
    March 30, 2007
    dad700
    Pretty good. Worth a look if you have any interest in some nice Thai visuals, creative (slightly overdone) cinematography, Asian culture, musical talent, etc.

    It was kind of confusing how it jumped between time periods so often. Pay attention in the beginning so you'll know wh... read moreen it's doing this.

    Some parts of this remind me of Karate Kid, but the competition is xylophone rather than Karate.

View All Hom rong (The Overture) Reviews

Critic Reviews

G. Allen Johnson
October 7, 2005
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

A by-the-numbers, simple tale that pulls out all the cliched melodramatic stops when it should be exploring an obviously fascinating character in Thai history. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
May 17, 2007
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

the music strikes to the very core just what it means to be human Full Review

Sean Axmaker
December 4, 2005
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

... a combination of gee-whiz reverence and cheesy melodrama... Full Review

Jeff Shannon
December 2, 2005
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times

If you don't mind a bit of treacle in your cinematic cultural-exchange program, The Overture will warm you inside and out. Full Review

Mark R. Leeper
December 20, 2004
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews

The film probably loses some of its effect when it is brought to a Western culture, but it is still captivating.

Russell Edwards
July 16, 2009
Russell Edwards, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

November 16, 2011
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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