Cautionary Tale is a journey of healing, moving on, and acceptance told through a passionate filmmaking process. Neil Kafalas (Ted Limpert), a children’s television show host, is being sent to Bangkok to market his show to the Asian audience as part of its new overseas expansion. But, given the recent loss of Neil’s daughter, the man himself has been rendered disoriented. While he agrees to the travel under his contract, little does he realize that it shall be a trip of utmost alleviation of his grief.
Ted Limpert himself writes, orchestrates, and composes the beautiful score of Cautionary Tale, empowered by some soothing melodies and lyrics, altogether comprising an original album of heart-warming tracks. Limpert, a professional composer, has given heart to Neil through music. Introduced as a television host, Neil’s interest in music, his skills with different instruments, and his voice  – all play a crucial part in exploring his grief and unraveling his hidden pain. In his quest to find peace and solace, we see him forming a connection with an aspiring Thai music artist, Cherry (Napak Boonruang). In their attempt to develop an English translation of one of Cherry’s originals, Cautionary Tale crafts an anchoring thesis on music’s significance in life.

“A grieving father travels to Thailand in search of solace after his daughter’s sudden demise.”
What further makes Cautionary Tale a brilliant cinematic experiment is its choice of camera movements. It begins as a cold telling of loss and pain, with Neil confused over his bearing situation. The camera is mostly still, offering perspectives on Neil’s mental state from several angles. But, as he traverses Thailand, we see a bunch of crisply edited and wonderfully captured tracking shots, engulfing both Neil and the lens following him in Thailand as squirts from water guns during the famous Songkran gush all over.
It’s one of the best sequences of the film and speaks highly of the people involved in it, as well as of the captivating abilities of movies. Though it’s just the beginning of Neil’s journey that this particular sequence comes on-screen, it leaves an impression that will last.