Childhood – Movie Review & Summary

Chane and Koh are high school students in their senior year. These best friends hang out and do various activities, from frolicking in the waterfall to relaxing on the balcony. They are almost always inseparable. Chane has a secret crush on his friend. However, he hasn't confessed his feelings. He enjoys their relationship's status quo, spending as much time with Koh as possible.

Recently, Koh has found a girlfriend. After they start dating, Koh splits his time between his best friend and romantic partner. Chane is secretly upset about losing his friend's attention. He watches the couple from afar, shooting forlorn glances. Yet, he won't admit his feelings. Koh remains oblivious to his friend's torment. He has no idea that Chane suffers from unrequited love.

Childhood stands out because it has almost no dialogue. The characters speak only several lines here and there, but most of the movie contains very few words. Since language is a pivotal narrative tool, minimizing its use poses an incredible challenge. It's like telling a story on hard mode! Instead of verbal communication, the film relies on visual cues like mannerisms or facial expressions to convey the messages. Childhood deserves credit for its innovative storytelling technique.

Despite its lack of dialogue, I have no trouble understanding Childhood. Every scene flows coherently into the next, creating a straightforward narrative that is easy to follow. The clever cinematography also enriches its storytelling. For instance, the camera highlights the protagonist's hand as he stands beside his buddy. It symbolizes the secret longing to reach out and touch him. Likewise, the shot of his chest emphasizes his pounding heartbeat during an intimate moment. The filmmaker focuses on each body part with an artistic vision, skillfully alluding to the subtle emotions.

Although the storytelling technique is creative, the plot itself is predictable. Childhood portrays a familiar teenage love triangle and follows overused tropes. We've seen the conventional drama play out so many times before, from the jealousy to the angsty heartbreak. This movie doesn't rewrite the formula or introduce any surprising twists. It does everything as expected at each step along the way. The reason why you can understand the narrative easily is because of its simplicity. Childhood is noteworthy due to its unique execution, not its unoriginal ideas.

Bem is a talented lead who delivers a captivating performance. The movie's success rests on his phenomenal ability to convey sensitive emotions. He captures the subtle nuances of the protagonist's torment, impressing me with his authenticity. Even without dialogue, Bem can speak volumes through a forlorn gaze or a crestfallen expression. He should be proud to include this film in his acting portfolio. His costar seems a bit hammy, but we don't see enough of him to make a fair assessment. The story isn't told through his perspective, so he's more of a peripheral character. 

Early on, Childhood showcases the friendship between the leads. Their cozy interactions emphasize the carefree joys of adolescence. However, most of the love story focuses on yearning. The protagonist develops a one-sided crush, which his best friend doesn't appear to reciprocate. Their attraction fails to evolve past this point. They're stuck in the friend zone instead of progressing as a couple. Although there's a brief moment of intimacy, the rest of the movie has little romantic content. Don't watch Childhood with high expectations of an affectionate relationship.

Childhood has a sad ending where the protagonist comes to a heartbreaking realization. I would have preferred a sweet, uplifting love story, but I respect the wistfulness of the conclusion. However, I wish the plot was more adventurous instead of reiterating another love triangle. Show some originality and deviate from the stale tropes. Despite the predictable narrative, I still appreciate Childhood for its artistic merits and powerful performances. Considering this impressive short movie is made by an indie filmmaker, it deserves positive encouragement.