Anna and the King (1999)

I like Black Panther, but I didn't like this movie.

Excellent, a Must See

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The main reason why I went and saw this movie is because Chow-Yun-Fat was one of the main actors. It seems that Fat is making a name for himself in Hollywood and this is a pretty major role that he has scored, but then in his last two Hollywood movies, The Corrupter and the Replacement Killers, he has taken the lead role as well. He may have done others, but I think that before the Replacement Killers, his only movies were Hong Kong movies, but for those movies he does have a very impressive resume (including The Killer - a masterpiece of all movies). This movie is about the clash of cultures. It is based on the old musical The King and I, but the problem there was that I do not think that Yul Brynner was Asian. Fat is and as such suited the role much better, but I don't think many people were too concerned with the nationality of the main character of the King and I. A teacher comes to Siam as the tutor for the king's son. The teacher is actually quite headstrong, and being British, believes that she is not subordinate to anybody. She shows the king the proper respect, if he was a European King, but refuses to go the way of the natives of the land. Not only that, but she also attempts to enforce British ideals onto the culture, especially in regards to slavery and polygamy. But then the King doesn't fully understand the concept of why one has only one wife in England. To him, the wife is to make sure that there is an heir on the throne, while the concubines are for his own personal pleasure. It is that reason that he could never really marry the teacher, even though they do develop a strong relationship. In essence he is already married, and through her traditions, she could not simply ignore that. The movie is focused around the relationship that develops between Anna and the King. Both of them are very headstrong people, the king goes without saying while, as I previously said, Anna is British and as such not willing to accept the superiority of an obviously non-European tradition. Still, both of them come to understand each other's traditions, though Anna changes less than the king, but she does come to see the human side of him. What happens, in essence, is that Siam remains independent, but changes enough to be acceptable to the European nations. It is still a very Eurocentric movie. It tries to say that nations have been allowed to develop on their own, but this is not really the case here. The next king has been influenced by European teachings and as such the changes that are made, are made because the Europeans have said so. In the end, Siam, though remaining independent, becomes another European puppet state.

I remember seeing Anna And The King on its Australian release in 1999 and thinking what a wonderful, sumptuous, if at times tragic romantic drama it all was. SPOILER ALERT Certain images remain in the mind long after the film is viewed such as the bathing scene where we see much of Ms Fosters legs or the execution of Tuptim or the bridge being detonated.The performances of Main and Supporting cast are superb; Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fat work well together.SPOILER ALERT The dialog allows for some ironic political correctness about the nature of imperialism which mark this as a liberal and not conservative film in the Raj tradition of the Rank films.On release the 2.30min length passed quickly enough but now in the light of even most period costume drama such as Sofia Coppala's Marie Antionette or the British Film The Duchess, Andy Tennants pacing seems slow and not as wonderfully paced as his delightful Drew Barrymore period Comedy Ever After. On release I would have given this a nine. Now as it has dated a little I feel it merits only 7 out of 10.

In my opinion, Anna and the King is truly a wonderful love story that shows us how love knows no boundaries. Anna Leonowens, a widow played by Jodie Foster, comes to Siam with her son to be the teacher for the children of the King of Siam, King Mongkut, played by Yun-Fat Chow. This film does not start out as a love story; there are rumors of war with Burma, and just every day issues that the King has to deal with. Not to mention that the King finds Anna to be a very difficult woman. It is amongst his daily routine as King and his dealing with prominent issues, that a beautiful love story unfolds.As she does not know the traditions of Siam and does not possess the understanding as to why certain things are done, it is a learning curve on both the King and Anna's part. Anna constantly challenges the King's authority, and thinks that the King should do things the British way. There are times in the film where the King sees Anna's point of view and changes his mind. On the other hand, when she blatantly tries to command him to reverse one of his decisions, the King has no choice but to follow through with his decision. This is the point at which, Anna realizes that although the King has come to value her opinion, he is still the King. The further into the film you get, you realize more and more that the King is valuing Anna's opinion, and she is realizing and learning that the King not only values her opinion, but he seeks it out if she is patient.Throughout the film, as the King resolves conflicts not only between himself and Anna, but even with his daily duties as King, you begin to realize that the King and Anna are falling in love. Just as the lighting in the film plays a major but subtle role in the portrayal of the events, the King and Anna's falling in love is a subtle occurrence, similar to the subtle romance of Australia. When the King is holding Anna in his arms as they waltz a British waltz, the angle at which the camera is held, you finally see the love they have for each other etched all over their faces.While some may argue that there is not enough reality, accuracy of history, or love scenes, I still think Anna and the King is a wonderful movie that portrays that love can cross nationalities, classes, and is a classic for the ages.

The King and I was a great adaptation of the true story based on the lead female character's diaries, and then there's more realistic version from director Andy Tennant (Hitch). Basically, set in the 1890's, English school teacher Anna Leonowens (Jodie Foster), with her son Louis (Harry Potter's Tom Felton), is summoned to the palace of Siam by King Mongkut (Crouching Tiger's Chow Yun-Fat) to teach his fifty-eight children. It takes quite a while for Anna and the King to get to used to each other, but she wins over the royal children, especially Princess Fa-Ying (Melissa Campbell), very easily. Throughout the story, Anna tries to help the King get the respect of the English, but instead a war is started, she tries to avoid a forbidden romance being found out, and she cannot be near him when he has someone executed. Obviously their hate is not all the way through, it is obvious they grow stronger feelings for each other, though you never see anything happen, you get the idea. Also starring Ling Bai as Tuptim, Syed Alwi as The Kralahome - Prime Minister, Randall Duk Kim as General Alak, Kay Siu Lim as Prince Chowfa, King Mongkut's Brother, Keith Chin as Prince Chulalongkorn, Mano Maniam as Leonowens' Indian Servant Moonshee and Geoffrey Palmer as Lord John Bradley. Foster sports an impeccable English accent, Yun-Fat is alright at being mostly sweet-natured with a little majestic attitude, if the film wasn't so long and political it might be a little better, so I much prefer and recommend The King and I. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Original Score for George Fenton and Best Original Song for "How Can I Not Love You". Okay!