1999-12-16
$75.0M
148 min
The story of the romance between the King of Siam (now Thailand) and the widowed British school teacher Anna Leonowens during the 1860s. Anna teaches the children and becomes romanced by the King. She convinces him that a man can be loved by just one woman.
This is a great looking film; the beautiful photography (Malaysia not Thailand) is stunning and George Fenton's sympathetic score helps create a stylish setting for this retelling of the story about an English widow - played here by Jodie Foster - who takes up a position as governess to the children (and wives) of King Mongkut of Siam (Chow Yun-Fat). This story departs pretty drastically from the original text and turns into more of a sentimental love story tempered by treasonous activities from within the King's extended family. The principle performances are both gentle and sensitive, though Jodie Foster's accent is a little forced, and Bill Stewart puts in a good effort as the dodgy British trader "Mycroft Kincaid". It is just too far removed from the original for me, but I'd watch it again....
