Damn. I am really beginning to regret not reviewing the 2020 Thai thriller “Manner of Death” when it came out because a belated critical look won’t be as effective as when my thoughts on the show were fresh. It’s a gripping show with serious themes, including the exploitation of those who aren’t privileged. Then there’s the 2023 Thai series “Laws of Attraction,” which attempts to highlight class differences and a flawed justice system but ends up being a prolonged mundane thriller/crime drama.
Directed by Worawit Khuttiyayothin, “Laws of Attraction” follows ruthless lawyer Charn (Film Thanapat Kawila) as he clashes with Tinn (Jam Rachata Hampanont), a working-class man whose younger sister, Tonkhao, was run over and killed by Charn’s client, Thaenthai Theethanathat, the son of the powerful politician Thatthep Theethanathat. While working on the case, Charn begins to suspect that Tonkhao’s death wasn’t a mere hit-and-run, leading to a falling out with the Theethanathat family. Charn decides to represent Tinn, partly as payback and partly because he senses a bigger profit for himself by exposing the Theethanathats. As the two rivals team up to delve deeper into the case, they form a close bond despite their ideological differences. The series thus explores Charn and Tinn’s fight for justice, even though they were on opposite sides of the fence at the beginning.
Okay, before we address the problematic aspects, let’s talk about the lead performers. Film Thanapat Kawila is actually quite perfect in his role as the money-minded lawyer Charn. He delivers his role like the devil’s advocate, complete with a crazed, serial-killer look in his eyes. “The writers follow up by making him do crazy things; for example, Charn sets his own client’s house on fire in order to frame his rivals. I’ve seen Thanapat Kawila in an older series before, and he definitely didn’t exude a ‘drunk on power’ aura in it. The actor smoothly transitions to a sweeter and more coy demeanor in the flirty and romantic scenes. In-fact Kawila’s performance is one of the primary reasons “Laws of Attraction” is somewhat watchable.
Jam Rachata Hampanont, as Tinn, a martial-arts trainer who loses his school-going sister to reckless driving, portrays the more idealistic character. He wants to see those who killed his sister behind bars and refuses to accept any compensation to settle the case. While Jam Rachata Hampanont does look the part of a helpless man trying to fight a rigged justice system, his acting lacks versatility and borders on boring. Duangdao Jarujinda was much more likable in her smaller supporting role as Tinn’s grandmother. She is far more sensible, calm, and practical than Tinn, who initially resists Charn’s offer to represent them. The grandmother helps Tinn see that his family could never afford a lawyer of Charn’s caliber, and her convincing pay off.
Where this series falters the most is with its primary antagonists. Not Vorarit Fuangarome portrays Thatthep Theethanathat, the powerful politician/businessman who attempts to buy Tinn’s silence to protect his brat son, Thaenthai (played by See Parattakorn Kaiyanan). While Not Vorarit is certainly despicable in his portrayal of an unscrupulous, wealthy politician with little regard for human life, his character lacks depth and is one-dimensional. He is simply shown as screaming, scheming and ordering people around. See Parattakorn Kaiyanan as Thaenthai has a weirdly confusing character, even though he does his best to pull it off. On one hand, the writers try to make us hate him, especially when he makes statements like how he felt nothing about an innocent girl’s death. On the other hand, they also attempt to evoke sympathy for him by portraying him as the victim of an abusive father. Thaenthai has no reliable friends or allies, except for his loyal bodyguard Thee portrayed by Pearl Satjakorn Chalard.
While the primary theme attempts to show how victims of middle-class families are bullied, defamed and written off when they try to take on powerful oppressors, the mystery surrounding Tonkhao’s death is convoluted and poorly executed. Despite “Laws of Attraction” spanning eight episodes, it feels like the series goes on forever due to the tedious hour-long episodes. The story could have easily been condensed into 30-minute chapters by editing out some of the pointless comical scenes that weren’t even funny. The writers also over-explain why Charn is the way he is, providing viewers with substantial backstories when that time could have been better spent on building a smoother romantic progression between the leads. Charn and Tinn’s “enemies to lovers” transformation is jarring since their core beliefs are so different, and it would take a substantial amount of time for two such clashing personalities to warm up to each other. Charn firmly believes money can buy anything and is the most powerful entity in the world, while Tinn thinks law and justice should be above money. Of course, there is the physical attraction to consider between the two, which needn’t take any time at all, but their relationship isn’t exactly shown from that perspective.
The last episode was the most random edition of “Laws of Attraction”, Charn and Tinn do uncover the whole truth behind Tonkhao’s death and the culprits face justice. However, the climax is too celebratory in tone and not in sync with the rest of the series’ tone, but well… the show is almost never consistent in its pace. It’s a chaotic hotpot of serious themes, unfunny comical scenes and unconvincing villains. The show is probably worth a one-time watch for fans of the lead actors.
Rating: 5 on 10. You can stream the series on YouTube.
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