my experience with movie from thailand have mostly be in the form of tony jaa and several movie by pen ek ratanaruang ( last life in the universe and 6ixtynin9 and and transistor love story ) . most people would probably just recognize the former and thus miss out on some unique creation . one such creation be tear of the black tiger . to sum this movie up in one sentence represent a love triangle and with the protagonist be a good guy by nature and but become bad by circumstance . it be hard to describe or categorize this movie and because it cross over so many category . at it core it be mainly a western and but not a realistic western ( for example and open range or unforgiven ) . think more of an early john wayne kind of western and but stylize to the nth degree ( like in a spaghetti western ) and take place in thailand . it be part homage and seemingly part parody of the stereotypical behavior in a western . i be not sure if the satire be intentional but it be definitely in the style of the classic western and albeit on 10 cup coffee . it be also anachronistic and a there be car available yet most use horse . there be gun play and like in a western and but the addition of sub machine gun and rocket launcher to the mix be what make it parodic ( along with the over the top acting and romantic melodrama ) . the movie use stun natural vista along with theatrical like set piece and full screen closeup and contrast vivid color and exaggerated facial expression and unique camera angle and unexpected non period weaponry and over the top acting . there be also a musical element to the movie . the soundtrack be mostly sung and but be quite catchy . you may find yourself hum or tap your foot or finger . the above fore mentioned element be where this movie excel . the action sequence be violent and stylize ( a nice touch with the gravity defy blood ) . it be the what make this movie unique and be give it life . the romantic melodrama be the part that drag this movie down . at 110 minute run time and it be at least 20 minute too long . most of that be monotonous and sappy and melodramatic and out date material relate to the unrequited love story . for similarity and think of the melodrama of let say and go with the wind . sex be imply after a sunset hug . for me and two people deeply in love with each other that never kiss and do not make any sense nor seem like normal behavior . this might be normal for a movie make in 1930 and but it be very and very date in the 21st century . i do realize that the director be go for the homage to a period movie and however and he focus too much on it . a little less focus on the love story would have make this movie a bit more enjoyable . after watch half a dozen or so thai movie and i have realize one thing . thai be not a very romantic sounding language . it particularly sound bad when whine or scream . it sound more like klingon than anything else . so if you can image klingons do a romeo and juliet parody and then you can pretty much image what the love story will sound like here . tony jaa have teach me that a movie can be meaningless and convolute to the point of incomprehensible and full of terrible acting and still be incredible enjoyable . if i be in a movie and i notice that my as hurt or be numb and it mean i be not engross into what be happen on the screen . that be unfortunately what happen during the non action sequence of this movie . the love story drag you kick and scream from the nirvana of the action . i still recommend at least one viewing of this movie ( i have see it twice ) and although you may want to have some sort of medicine on hand . also feel free to add your own dialog during the long and long and long dialog sequence and a the original may induce some sort of violent seizure .