SAHAMONGKOLFILM CO. Puwarit Poompuang stars as a young monk named Tum who must leave his sheltered life when his sister dies and he must take responsibility for his niece. Tum's adventures adjusting to the outside world provide this Thai film with its humor.

Tum’s tale takes monk
out of the monastery

Tum doesn't know how to work a zipper, which results in considerable discomfort when he tries to put on pants for the first time. And that's just the beginning of what he must learn about the modern world -- not just how to work new devices, but how to handle the pain his new circumstances can bring.

"Baytong" Thailand, Golden Maile Award-nominated feature, plays at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dole Cannery cineplex; and 1 p.m. Oct. 31, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts Rating: 2.5 (of 5)

Tum (Puwarit Poompuang) is a young man raised as a monk who leaves his sheltered world when his sister Jane is killed. Journeying to the town of Baytong, he takes responsibility for his sister's child, the precocious Maria (Saranya Kruangsai).

Tum loves Maria immediately and gives up his orange robes so he can care for her. This means he must adjust to her world -- Maria helps in this regard by teaching him such things as how to use a cell phone.

They live in an apartment above Jane's beauty salon, where a gaggle of young beauticians both mystify and terrify the innocent Tum. For unbeknownst to Tum, he is quite the hunky monk, which becomes clear when he transitions into civilian clothes.

Much less threatening is Lynn (Jeeranun Manojam), a travel agent from across the street who was Jane's best friend. She helps him with such details of life as choosing sneakers, getting a passport, riding a bike -- and soon he is experiencing stirrings unknown in the monastery.

To this point, director Nonzee Nimibutr guides his fish-out-of-water tale at a leisurely pace, with charm and gentle humor, his actors managing to draw laugh-out-loud moments from the quiet script.

So, Tum begins to smile. But too soon his new life of discovery is disrupted. Although he might not have much of a past, the same is not true for Lynn. And Maria -- well, she has a father, somewhere.

For the final 30 minutes, then, the film sweeps toward the finish line in a manner that seems out of sync with what came before.

It's disconcerting when things wrap up a bit too quickly. Still, it's somehow satisfying to have taken this journey with Tum.