The Bodyguard

From Thailand arrives "The Bodyguard," not to be confused with the Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner film, an action-comedy that delivers a simple storyline with a high impact through comedy and action. Written, Directed, and Starring Thailand's best comedian Petchtai Wongkamlao ("Ong-Bak," "The Protector"), "The Bodyguard" centers around Wong Kom and his duties to protect one of the country's richest man from plot to kill him while a deal with an American company is going down.

The film contains enough action and comedy to satisfy fans of both genres. The comedy may not always translate but some things are universally funny; like running around a city with only a china-bowl to cover your parts while the rest of your body is naked and the idea that the police may search you in case you're still hiding a weapon somewhere. It's "The Naked Gun" meets "Lethal Weapon."

He's rescued by a retarded man with a kind heart who decides to take him home. He arrives in one of Thailand's slums being taken care of by a greedy mother, a sensible daughter, and an undeniably gay cousin who also serves as one-third of the working EMT's of the household. The daughter, Pok, portrayed by Pumwaree Yodkamol ("Ong-Bak"), doubts the visitor and his reasons for being and staying there, while he inevitably falls in love with her.

The ridicule of the film also relies on a comedian with no lines who wears the most outlandish costumes because he's too inept to find some common sense in clothing; imagine a clown with a multi-colored suit without his make up, a large earring, and a bald head. The other part is the action provided with some help from Tony Jaa ("Ong-Bak," "The Protector") in a very short but key sequence during the film, strangely enough inside a supermarket, as he and the director also make fun of each other with remarks about their previous films.

The plot is not as simple as it seems and has a surprising twist at the end. The last three fight scenes seem to drag a bit but still manage to entertain, both in action and comedy while still delivering a happy ending to the two young lovers and misery to the gay cousin.