Anna and the King (1999)

So much average

hyped garbage

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The story is well known and has been told many times. Topping the film adaptations competition is the 1956 musical 'The King and I', among my favourite film musicals.'Anna and the King' is around the same level as 1946's 'Anna and the King of Siam' in terms of rating, and is much better than the limp 1999 animated version of 'The King and I', which saw the musical get the butcher's treatment, and the execrable obscure low-budget animated version from Burbank Animation Studios.It does go on a little longer than needed, consequently some parts do drag a little, while the subplot with the rebel general is on the implausible side and doesn't give the amount of tension it had potential to do.On the other hand, 'Anna and the King' is stunning to look at with colourful, sumptuous costumes and the exquisite art direction rightfully garnering Oscar nominations, aided by cinematography of a sweeping beauty. George Fenton's music score is rousing, understated and uplifting, and the theme song a nice fit.Further good things are a story that has a great mix of epic, poignant drama, dignified and sometimes tense romance and intriguing, if inaccurate, history. The conflicts are somewhat complicated initially but dealt with compellingly without making the film unfocused. The script is thought-provoking, and Andy Tennant (fresh from the previous year's delightful 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story', still a personal favourite) directs assuredly.Jodie Foster, apart from occasional tentative performance, gives a performance of great dignity and authoritative strength with an immaculate accent. Chow-Yun Fat's performance as the King is nothing short of superb, a portrayal of many nuances and sweet-natured subtlety. All the cast do well, including a pre-'Harry Potter' Tom Felton.On the whole, a very strong film with a few faults. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I saw this movie thrice and realized how hard it is for the other side of King to accept legal judgements in his own court as a human and level of sacrifices that has to be made against his personal desire....Marrying so many women following the custom, Hand tied and Not even able to propose someone(Anna) he loves. Admired the entire setup in this movie and the places were like fairy tale. Background sound track was excellent that gives a real feel of the story and characters...Well performed by Anna & the King especially the scenes around the killing of Tuptim for deciding a noble path via Buddhist Monk...Great lifetime Movie

Being Thai myself, I admit that the issue about Kings of Thailand are quite sensitive. But I say the movie itself is not bad in terms of the production and story telling. One thing about the production that bothers me is the bad-accent Thai. I understand that they needed the casts who spoke fluent English and they mustn't have gotten much cooperation from Thailand with the casting, so they put up with the Chinese casts who are Thai look-alikes with the weirdest Thai accent. I respect their effort but I can't understand what they say without subtitles. The script writer tried so hard to put as much respect for Thai culture as possible into the movie, which I appreciate that. But since they work on the book written by a very self-absorbed woman, it didn't help much on the unconvincing story elements though. The original material is very distorted and too fictionalized to be called a biography. According to many Thai and foreign historians, Anna just observed and then integrated herself into the important events occurred during her time in Thailand. For example, a Thai king in ancient times would never, ever, allow an English teacher on the same royal boat, no matter how he likes her. This is only the start. She even made stuff up about geographical facts.Anna was most likely lying about the king mentioning her in his will and that she didn't accept the legacy. Because, in 'fact', if a Thai king liked anyone so much, he would just award the official title and some money or properties to that person. And that's it, not the royal legacy.Best of all, the real King Mongkut did mention Anna in a written document,shortly, as 'a teacher who is quite nosy', not an inspiring friend who had led Siam into a new era like she imagined herself to be, or she would've been in Thai history along with other important women or foreigners. I bet the real Anna wasn't even as brave or outspoken as in the book. Because with our 'uncivilized' way, she'll be right back on the ship the minute she was so rudely barged into the palace hall. In conclusion: As a movie, the friendly teacher-and-student relationship, with a little touch of romance, between Anna and The King is portrayed quite beautifully. The film shows the respect for cultural differences and even the most brutal part of the movie (the execution) isn't come off so savage. The movie is pretty good in its own right.But as for Anna's story, I say her book isn't any more true than Forrest Gump or The Last Samurai. Only that Forrest Gump didn't flat out lie about being a true story. I bet she fantasized herself and The King as John Smith and Pocahontas.This movie was banned from being shown in Thailand. Though I do not agree with the over-protective policy of the Thai government, I do not think that it's right to honor the lying btch as a heroine who saved my country either. So, if you want to watch it, just don't take it seriously, at all.PS. Chow Yun Fat did an admirable job speaking Thai. His pronunciation is quite good.

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.