I love this movie so much

Memorable, crazy movie

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

The first must-see film of the year.

first of all as I was born and raise in Thailand. this movie is extremely disturbing and inaccurate in every mannor. the thai language had been spoken in this movie by the Chinese actors and actresses almost incorrect and can't be understand and the 2nd, Lady Tabtim according to the thai history stated to be very attractive woman of that time because she has south Asian (Indian descent) large eyes and curl hair - that is the ideal of beauty of thai people in old time which influenced by the Indian literatures -Beiling the Chinese actress as lady tabtim is a very poor choice and 3 rd, there is no thai princess names fa ying - this word means princess.

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.

Andy Tennant, known for his comedy film, springs a pleasant surprised with the spectacular 'Anna and the King'. This dazzling film is absolutely mesmerizing, right from the art direction, music to cinematography and visuals. I wouldn't have expected Andy Tennant to be the first choice in directing this film but he's done an exceptional job here.Though the film was shot in Malaysia, Tennant and his art directors have captured the essence and beauty of the idea of what Siam might have been like in the 1860s. While the lavish sets and costumes are very detailed, there's plenty of subtlety. I also liked how the humour was infused into the situations. It's never over the top.The story flows fluidly. Much of it is based on Anna Leonoens's journal. Tennant tries to stay as true to history as possible. In addition the dialogues are well written and the key characters are properly fleshed out. The significance of honour, obligation and duty conflicting with justice and equality is also well depicted.Chow Yun Fat is brilliant as King Mongkut. His understated performance contrasts well with Jodie Foster's outspoken and headstrong Anna. Obviously, Foster knows her craft too well as she turns in yet another splendid performance. Her English accent is a little awkward at time but this can be easily overlooked. Bai Ling holds her own with a heartbreaking performance as the doomed Tuptim. The rest of the cast do well.I haven't watched 'The King and I' on which this movie is said to be based but I have heard from others that they're two different things and that 'Anna and The King' is a spectacular epic in its own right. I agree with the last part.

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!