Sort of a TV Review | Theory of Love (2019)

It’s safe to say that we’ve all been in Third’s shoes: secretly in love with his unavailable best friend who only sees him as such, a friend. (If you haven’t experienced this, well, congratulations. You haven’t known the agony and the constant heartbreak of seeing your best friend and acting like you don’t want to hold his hand or shout to the world that you love him. Really, congratulations. Now, get off of my blog. Kidding, please don’t go.) In Theory of Love, Third―played by incomparable Attaphan Phunsawat A.K.A. Gun―is secretly in love with his best friend of three years, Khai (Jumpol Adulkittiporn, nicknamed Off) who is not only unavailable to him, but is also straight and has a rule not to date his friends. That sounds like a formulaic plot of a cheesy romcom, right? But let me just say that Theory of Love is so much more than that.

Theory of Love revolved around the lives of the Gangstas―four Film major students, including Third (Gun), Khai (Off), Two (Nawat Phumphotingam A.K.A. White), and Bone (Chinnarat Siriphongchawalit, nicknamed Mike)―their loves, and careers. Led by the popular Thai pairing OffGun, the cast is exceptional. Each member delivered a strong performance, but most especially, Gun, who cried in almost every single episode and, in extension, had also made the viewers sob. Third’s experience in an unrequited love relationship with his best friend was relatable. I’ve had war flashbacks watching him, to be honest. But Gun’s portrayal of his love-sick character made him much unforgettable.

Theory of Love revolved around the lives of the Gangstas, their love lives, and their careers.

An actor is only as good as his screen partner and Off’s performance was not to be overlooked. We all know a Khai. Hell, we probably even had a crush on someone like him. What began as a stereotype, Off portrayed Khai’s change and growth in such a skillful manner, showing how good of an actor he really was. It also became one of the most memorable character development scenes, next to Zuko from Avatar: The Legend of Aang. But this time, Off only needed a couple of episodes to shift his atrocious player character to that of an adorable in-love chaser. OffGun’s chemistry is so fun to watch. They looked so comfortable with each other and it translated so beautifully on-screen.

OffGun's chemistry is so fun to watch. They looked so comfortable with each other and it translated so beautifully on-screen.

Completing the remarkable cast are the supporting characters Two and Bone who also had their time to shine, despite the limited screen time. One of the best things director Nuttapong Mongkolsawa A.K.A. X did in Theory of Love is that he let the scenes and the characters flow naturally. Nothing felt out of place, forced or cramped in. Some series tend to do that, where several subplots are presented to the audience making it overwhelming and confusing to follow. But with Theory of Love, the secondary stories unfolded organically. Two had a long-standing crush on Lyn (Neen Suwanamas) since they were in high school. But his world was shaken (I mean, at one point, he was literally shook) when Aun (Pirapat Watthanasetsiri A.K.A. Earth) came to his life. On the other hand, Bone was a talented, but slightly irresponsible Film student, who met his match in the form of Paan (Sara Legge). These subplots were only shown briefly in every episode as it was understandable, of course, that the main focus of the series was Third and Khai, but what White, Earth, and Neen and Mike and Sara did despite it all was amazing. When Aun suddenly showed up just when Two was literally about to run to him or when Bone presented Paan a clip she hadn’t seen, it was all as compelling as the main plot. It’s not forgettable, it’s not even filler scenes. Their performance demanded the audience to also focus on the supporting characters. And they succeeded.

What really sold the series to me was shown right from the very start: films. I’d like to call myself a movie enthusiast and to watch a series starring film students, creating movies and movie reviews? I’m sold. The most fun thing about Theory of Love however didn’t happen on-screen. It happened off-screen when the series unveiled each episode’s poster as a recreation of a popular movie. OffGun recreated the Flipped (2010) and the 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) posters and a lot more. But it didn’t stop there. The way the series incorporated several films was remarkable. It really played with the nostalgia factor. I remember in episode two when Third and Khai went to buy furniture for the latter’s condo unit, I knew exactly what they were redoing before it was even confirmed. Khai and Third even got the most comical part of the Ikea scene from (500) Days of Summer (2009) with the two of them lying on the bed with a family looking at them. And how could we even not talk about the fact that Third recreated one of the most iconic romantic confessions ever made: the showing of cards from Love Actually (2003). I was squealing all throughout the scene because it was superb! But better was when it was Khai’s turn to redo the Love Actually scene in the series finale. I sobbed this time. It was absolute perfection. Or when Aun and Two referenced another favorite of mine, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), with the latter trying to change the ending of the film this time around. Or lastly, when one realized that the main film inspiration for the series was Flipped (2010) with Theory of Love even capturing the essence of showing the first half of the show from Third’s perspective with his thoughts and stream of consciousness, and then shifted to Khai’s during the second half. As a major film enthusiast, it was really exciting when they incorporated these movies we all loved or at least we’re all familiar with.

Third recreated one of the most iconic romantic confessions ever made: the showing of cards from Love Actually (2003).

Also let me just add that I love that the series was funny, but not over-the-top. The jokes and physical comedy scenes were not forced. When Third ran out of water from the shower and began spraying water on his face from a bottle so he could continue to “cry in the shower” or when he used a bidet instead, I thought I’d break a rib from laughing so hard. But while they made fun of Gun’s dramatic scenes that time, they let him sob it out on the other scenes where he shone brightly.

They let him sob it out on the other scenes where he shone brightly.

Lastly, since the series’ main characters are film majors, it’s almost necessary for it to be shot cinematically and boy, director X didn’t fail in that. Theory of Love felt like a well-budgeted movie with its amazing shots and cinematography and its somber, unforgettable score. That scene in the train station, I literally gasped at the beauty of such a shot.

That scene in the train station, I literally gasped at the beauty of such a shot. 

In the end, while Theory of Love included a lot of cliche moments, the stellar cast, incredible directing and screenplay, and unforgettable score elevated the series to much higher ground.  As Third told Khai in one of the episodes, “It’s not a cliche. It’s a classic.” And sure enough, Theory of Love has now cemented itself as a classic and if not the best, then, at least, one of the best Thai BL series there is.

All photos by GMMTV.