Cat A.W.O.L is not a film about cats '€” it'€™s a girl-meets-boy romantic comedy with a few cats as the supporting cast.

Offering a simple plot full of amusing scenes, the Thai film is easy to follow and entertaining from the very start.

It opens with female student, Mayo (Pimchanok '€œBaifern'€ Leuwisetpaiboon), who is on her way to an internship interview at an advertising agency, run by Dode (Ten Terdterng).

When she arrives at the studio, she disrupts a film shoot, forcing the assistant director, Mor (Arak '€œPe'€ Amornsupasiri), to cut the scene, and that'€™s how Mayo meets Mor '€” who she instantly has a crush on.

Acting as a cool boss, Mor puts Mayo in an awkward situation during the interview, asking her if she has a boyfriend and telling her to describe herself in a few seconds, which she is unable to do.

Nevertheless, Mayo is accepted for the internship and is told to report to the set early the next morning.

Mayo works hard on set, and always does what she is told to.

In one scene, she is told by the cinematographer, Fiat (Choosak Lamsuk), to be the model to test the blocking for the scene. Mor helps her to find the right position, but Mayo finds herself blushing with Mor standing so close to her.

In this scene, the chemistry between the pair is strong, and the moment is beautifully captured by Cat'€™s director, Nareubadee Wetchakam.

Mor and Dode, then show the end result to their Japanese client who approves the storyline but wants the models in the commercial to be replaced by cats.

Dode gives Mor full responsibility to handle the project as he apparently has a phobia of cats. The crew begins to hold cat auditions, and Mayo is tasked to make the cats pose as Mor takes photos of them.

The series of events when Mor and Dode visit the client'€™s house to show him the cat pictures will make moviegoers laugh until their ribs are sore.

None of the cats impresses the client, who instead tells them to use his cat, named Johnny.

One problem has been solved, but another one arises as Mayo becomes the chief handler of the pot-belly Johnny who is very difficult to manage.

In between working together, Mayo believes that Mor has developed feelings for her too, as he takes her home several times, accompanies her when she works overtime, and even sings for her.

When the production crew hangs out together after work in a club, Mor and Mayo bump into his ex-girlfriend with her new boyfriend, turning Mor upside down. Broken hearted, Mayo leaves the club in tears.

Everything becomes messy the next morning as Mayo loses her spirit to work, letting Johnny out of her sights.

With no deep conflicts or twists in the plot, the 114-minute film feels too long and a little bit flat as it progresses.

Cat A.W.O.L does not present a great cinematographic experience; some of the aerial scenes are quite amateur. But the simple,
cool jokes '€” thanks to Thailand'€™s popular comedians Choosak and Ten '€” translate well for Indonesian audiences.

Those who wish to escape a stressful day and want a good laugh, Cat A.W.O.L '€” scheduled to hit theaters on July 6 '€” is not a bad choice.

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Cat A.W.O.L
(Workpoint Pictures, 114 minutes)

Director: Nareubadee Wetchakam, Pongsak Pongsuwan.
Cast: Arak Amornsupasiri, Pimchanok Leuwisetpaiboon, Pongsak Pongsuwan, Chusak Eiamsuk, and Johnny the Burmese Cat.