Anna and the King (1999)

Her Review:

The true story of Anna Leonowens’ life as a governess to the children of an Asian king has previously been adapted into a books, a play, and at least 3 different film incarnations.  In this adaptation Jodie Foster plays Anna Leonowens an english woman who travels to Asia after the death of her husband to teach english and other subjects to the king of Thailand (Chow Yun-Fat).  But as Anna soon realizes the king is strong-willed, eccentric and her life there becomes a power struggle between the two with a forbidden romance.  Anna and the king is directed by Andy Tennant who also directed Ever After.

Anna and the King is an old-fashioned movie in all the glorious ways you would expect it to be.  It is a film built for those who love historical movies and period pieces.  So you can see why I love this movie, I mean my number #1 film on my top 100 list is Pride and Prejudice after all.  What I love best about Anna and the King aside from the great costumes, is the cultural differences that not only make Anna struggle but the King as well.  No one is above cultural differences and we all have to learn that just because it’s how its done in our country doesn’t make it right everywhere.  Anna and the King isn’t for everyone and is not a great film but a good one that is perfect if you like I said you like history and period pieces.

7/10 Stars – Beautiful scenery and costumes with great lessons about cultural differences.

Click Below for Links to IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166485/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1093611-anna_and_the_king/