Anna and the King

Rating:
Summary: Grand Style Entertainment
Review: How disappointing that this brilliant and spectacular movie was almost ignored totally at the recent Academy Awards. This version of "Anna & the King" is superb entertainment, with all it's grandeur and spectacle that is sadly lacking in many box office hits these days. Although the musical version "The King and I" will always remain as a great classic, this one surpasses it with its dramatic content and impact. This film boasts superb photography and tight production values. The musical soundtrack is outstanding, and of course the costume designing also deserves accolades. As far as acting is concerned, why was Keith Chin as Prince Chulalonkorn not get nominated for an academy award? His performance was excellent. Of course there is much debate of Jodie Foster as the English teacher. I feel that she gave her best (as usual) in the role. Chow Yun Fat who is more renowned for his action roles is a pleasant surprise. His screen presence is dominating and was perfect as the King. This must be his most challenging role in his career, and he handled it very well, and made a very believable King Mongkut. This movie should be on the top of the list of any collector's list. I just cannot wait for the DVD version to be released, as it deserves to be watched over and over again. Despite its box-office disappointment, I am quite certain it will gain its popularity on the Video and DVD market.

Rating:
Summary: Noble Effort Falls Short
Review: Based on the true story of Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher who traveled from her home in India to Siam in 1862 (nearly two years after the death of her husband) to instruct King Mongkut's children, "Anna and the King," directed by Andy Tennant, is a lavish production that is visually striking but somewhat tedious in execution. The story is interesting, and the cinematography is stunning, but it simply becomes too much of not enough; Tennant's method of storytelling is pretty straightforward, and there is artistic merit to this endeavor, but ultimately-- despite the colorful canvass-- the result is less than satisfying. The redeeming factor of the film is the performance of the charismatic Chow Yun-Fat (King Mongkut), the star of many of John Woo's action films, who is afforded the opportunity here to demonstrate his versatility as a dramatic actor. He successfully lends a depth and intelligence to his portrayal of Mongkut that is reinforced with a genuine regal countenance devoid of any pretentiousness. Yun-Fat's King is a complex and secure individual who-- most importantly-- conveys a true sense of reality; he is, without question, the King of Siam. Jodie Foster (Anna) on the other hand, though arguably one of the most talented, gifted actresses in the business, is woefully miscast as Anna. Her British accent is credible, but becomes the focal point of her performance, which seems forced at best. Granted, she succeeds in capturing the stoic quality of the character, but fails to attain that necessary emotional level that would have allowed the audience to identify with her. There just doesn't seem to be anything about this "Anna" that would attract the King, either intellectually or emotionally, which, of course, mitigates the plot to a great extent. While taking nothing away from Foster's myriad positive qualities, it makes you appreciate the facility with which Meryl Streep is able to so seamlessly embody the various characters she has created in her career. Hindsight may be the forte of the unenlightened, still, in retrospect, Tennant ("Ever After," "Fools Rush In") may not have been the wisest choice to direct a film more suited to the talents of Ang Lee or Jane Campion, or to one with the sensibilities of a Bergman or Kurosawa. Though he managed to create a pretty picture, he was unable to elicit the emotional depth required to sustain the audience's involvement with the story. All of which goes to prove that one who whittles beautifully cannot necessarily handle a lathe. The supporting cast includes Ling Bai (Tuptim), Tom Felton (Louis), Syed Alwi (The Kralahome), Randall Duk Kim (General Alak), Lim Kay Siu (Prince Chowfa) and Melissa Campbell (Princess Fa-Ying). In the final analysis, "Anna and the King," while having the requisite elements for greatness, nevertheless lacks the emotional substance with which to achieve it. A by far superior version is the 1946 production "Anna and the King of Siam," with Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison, which makes one wonder why anyone thought this should be remade in the first place.

Rating:
Summary: Simply a delightful story
Review: After losing her husband in the jungle of India, Anna Leonowens embarks in a journey that will take her to Siam, where she will tutor the oldest son of King Mongkut. Her son, Louis, and two Hindu servants accompany her in this new endeavor. As soon as Anna sets foot in Bangkok, the difference between cultures surges as a predominant element that will remain present throughout the story. Even though the start is rocky, with Anna being called "Sir" for misogynist reasons and not being given the house she was promised but accommodation in the palace instead, the king discovers quickly the value of this woman that acts very different from what he is used to. That is why he decides that instead of tutoring his oldest son, she will be in charge of teaching all of his children...all 58 of them!

The movie evolves around three clear themes. First, the clash of cultures, which is enlightening and entertaining and as the movie evolves so does the acceptance and admiration each of the characters show for the positive points of the other's culture. Second, the relationship between Anna and the king, which starts as annoyance, moves to respect and continues developing from there. Third, the political atmosphere, which is characterized by attacks to Siamese people by Burmese armies, suspected to be supported by no other than the British Empire (the events unfold in 1862).

Although the movie is rather long, the events unfold at a pace that keeps the viewer interested at all times. The music fits the mood of the action perfectly well, and in the proper scenes it is so uplifting that it steals the attention of the viewer. Jodie Foster delivers a well-rounded role, but in my opinion the performance of Chow Yun-Fat is at a higher level. Finally, the scenery and the palaces where the movie develops are absolutely amazing.

Overall this is a highly enjoyable movie that will leave you thinking for a while about how every culture has its positive aspects and how, with a little patience, everyone can learn to appreciate this.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you!
Review: I must say I was skeptical walking into this show, especially after hearing so many "chick-flick" lovers almost freaking out about the movie. But, I was very pleasantly surprised...and coincidently excited to see a movie appeal to so many senses and likes. The way in which they handled everything in the story was beautiful. The breath-taking scenery and awesome music are enough incentive for me to see it twice. But the story and the characterization were just as compelling. Of course, the story may not be exactly accurate, but it can be given credit for enabling us to understand and appreciate the significance of what Anna did...and what the king did. I think the romance was excellently handled as well. Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat showed such reserved, but powerful emotion...it was fascinating to watch. And, with politics and religions of two different worlds intertwining, the story became all the more fascinating. I'm excited to see that it's a movie in which you can "catch" things you may not have noticed the first time.

This movie has so much to offer...don't pass it up! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A VISUAL REGALE
Review: Most of us do recall the exuberant performance of Yul Brynner, and for decades, the deprecatory King and I stood for the backwardness of new Asia. True, Andy Tennant "exploited" history as much as Anna Leonowens; yet as Tennant pierces the mist of Bangkok to reveal a revolutionary monarch, the plot matters little. It's all about characters in this lavish drama, rich with colors and detailed characterization. Despite critics's doubts of Foster's accent and occasional chafe in the role, the new mother is radiant in the role of Anna. Foster's techniques truly add a shade of credibility to the story--however ficticious it may be. Chow Yun-Fat, on the other hand, is hailed as the only thing brilliant about this movie by cynics and zealots alike. This god of actors, summons forth such compassion and power behind his subtlety: a smile, a wink, a hand motion--even w/ out his trademark gun and cigar, Chow still dominates the screen with his towering presence. This presence is so tender and touching that the entire cast rallies around his performance: from passionate Bai Ling (as Tuptim)to mischevious Melissa Campbell (as young princess). When I titled this review "a visual regale", I meant to emphasize that the real recognition this movie received during the awards season was indeed its dazzling wardrobe. Against the backdrop of the magnificent replica palace of King Mongkut built in Malaysia, the elaborate courtesian silk, victorian satin depicts a glamorous view of Asia struggling to progress. And although many say the film drags a bit, personally I prefer this kind of old fashioned romance that let the aroma of love sink in and sip through the screen. A TRUE DELIGHT!

Rating:
Summary: The best version yet...
Review: I have always been a fan of "The King and I," and I sat down to watch "Anna and the King" wondering if it could possibly measure up. It did. I found a reality and an emotional depth in this movie that barely make an appearance in "The King and I."

Jodie Foster is both capable and appealing in her role as Anna Leonowens, and she brings a touch of endearing human flaw to a character that I've always seen as lovably infallible. Chow Yun-Fat is strong as a king and touching as a father. Although some have said that the chemistry was not quite there, I found it more believable because of its slight awkwardness.

This is a long movie, but I didn't find it hard to sit through. It's not a movie that everyone will love, but it would be well worth it for anyone to at least try it out.

Rating:
Summary: Had to watch for a school project...
Review: I thought that this film was very beautiful in content...this film had some real substance to it, and the actors did an excellent job in the portrayal of the characters involved...lovely story.....

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely classic
Review: This is one of my favorite movies ever, it can be compared only to Gone With The Wind. It may be not historically accurate but nor was GWTW and it is still a classic. I love every part of it -- the portrayal of the two different cultures as equals, the love story, the beautiful scenery. I've seen it 4 times in the cinema even though I usually watch a movie twice, when it's in cinema and when it comes out in video.
I don't understand why this film wasn't a great success but I don't mind, at least we won't get three awful sequels and two TV shows based on it.

I also recommend the soundtrack, it is beautiful and suits the story well.

Rating:
Summary: I Keep Coming Back
Review: It didn't surprise me when this first came out that it didn't get very good reviews. I almost didn't see it myself, but once I did see it, I just kept coming back. It's a glorious film.

The film itself is done with tremendous diligence -- the costumes, the scenery are fabulous. More importantly, the script is good -- the story itself is a good story. Some films have a really deepening story so that the characters and events are well understood and interconnected, and this is one of those. But the language is also beautiful. It's full of good lines. I think above all, it is Chow Yun-Fat's acting which makes the film -- his humanity, his depth and his nobility. I'm also astounded by the acting of the woman who plays Tuptim... And Jodie Foster fully holds up her end as well.

However, I can see many reasons why people would avoid it. The most important of these is that it's banned in Thailand. The Thai people regard it as an very Westernized take on the sotry. King Mongkut was in fact an old man at the time this happened, and not the charming young Chow Yun-Fat. There's apparently no evidence from King Mongkut's private diaries that he had anything like the feelings expressed in this film. I can easily believe this is true. The film is fiction. At the very least, I doubt very much that Mongkut's heroic stand on the bridge happened like it's portrayed in the film.

But I also can't buy that the film comes across as putting down Eastern culture. Unlike in "The King and I" (of which it is by no means a simple remake) where Anna clearly has the upper hand, this is an even match. She has as much to learn from him as he from her. England has as much to learn from Thailand as the other way around.

My mother didn't like it, because although she's the sort of person which appreciates a really good story, she can't stand graphic beheadings. And others of my friends don't like it, because although the like a good battle scene, they can't stand little girls dying in their father's arms -- too mushy. I take it all gladly.

But the ultimate compliment comes from my 12-year-old son who has seen it about twice a month since it came out. Every couple weeks he'll say, "I miss it. I have to watch Anna and the King".

Rating:
Summary: It keeps on getting better
Review: Everytime I watch this movie, I'm awestruck at the beauty and wonder of it. From the scenery, to the drama, to the love story, and finally and most of all, to the music, I'm drawn to watch it over and over again. So much of the dialogue between the King and Anna points to moments in my life that makes me want to return to the time and place over and over. I loved "The King and I" with Deborah Kerr and Yul Brenner, but this story is so much richer without all the music and allows you to see into the souls of each character. This story is for all of us who ever had to give up the true love of our lives.