Review: Happy Old Year (2019)

Imagine an estranged friend watching your Instagram stories but he no longer communicates with you. Both parties would eventually feel unburdened when one finally disconnects so everyone can get on with their lives.

This is no different from the premise of  Happy Old Year, Thailand’s submission for the Oscars. Filmmaker Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit presents a story where decluttering can be both relieving and painful. The story revolves around an aspiring interior designer, Jean (portrayed by Bad Genius' Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying), who sets out to apply her minimalist aesthetic to her cluttered family home. The thing is she cannot go full Marie Kondo because her mother is attached to the piano her father used to play. Throughout the decluttering project before her New Year’s Day deadline, Jean eventually learns that she herself has cut ties with people and brought them pain.

Happy Old Year is best watched when you are in the mood for self-realization before you decide to ditch memories, disconnect, and hit refresh.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Happy Old Year is now streaming on Netflix.