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Beautiful Boxer
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 10 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Action | Drama | Foreign
Written by:
Ekachai Uekrongtham
Desmond Sim Kim Jin
Directed by: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Release Date:
Theatrical: January 21, 2005
DVD: August 2, 2005
Running Time: 118 minutes, Color
Origin: Thailand
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Asanee Suwan, Sorapong Chatree, Orn-Anong Panyawong, Nukkid Boonthong, Sitiporn Niyom, Kyoko Inoue, Keagan Kang, and Yuka Hyodo
Based on the true story of Thailand's famed transgender kickboxer, Beautiful Boxer is a poignant action drama that punches straight into the heart and mind of a boy who fights like a man so he can become a woman. (Regent Releasing)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
This altogether remarkable film is as much of a paradox as Nong Toom: at once poetic and sensitive yet as gritty and hard-hitting as any boxing movie.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen
Ekachai's film takes a more compassionate view of its subject and boasts a dynamic performance by real-life kickboxer Asanee Suwan.
Read Full Review >New York Post V.A. Musetto
An intelligent work that avoids exploitation and cheap laughs.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
Like his intrepid hero, theater-turned-film director Ekachai Uekrongtham never misses an opportunity to brighten an otherwise ordinary palette with just a bit more color.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Tasha Robinson
Uekrongtham films the saga in gorgeous style.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Hank Sartin
Uekrongtham handles the material with reasonable restraint, and you can't help but cheer on the hero.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak
Rich with insight and cinematic style and beauty, the film tells a uniquely moving and inspiring story. Unfortunately, it takes some stamina to distill its message from its overly long, overindulgent love affair with itself.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Though a bit long and occasionally awkward, this drama ultimately does justice to its inspiration - the true-life tale of boxer-turned-transsexual Nong Toom.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Lawrence Van Gelder
A rare hybrid: an underdog sports picture that's also a transgender fairy tale.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Chuck Wilson
It’s a good story, and Uekrongtham, making his feature debut, captures the camaraderie of camp life and the subsequent matches with the panache of a veteran studio hand, but the insights into Toom's psyche never extend past the fun he has applying powder and eyeliner.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Chuck Stephens
Those in search of a liberating treatise about empowered sexuality may find too much of the movie's erotic potential sublimated in sports metaphors, while those looking for a martial arts matinee will find its feats of physical prowess shriveled next to a fully engorged genre workout like "Ong-Bak."
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Abby K gave it an8:
The cinematography was spectacular, the storytelling was captivating, and the acting was wonderfully sensitive. The fact that this story has been based on the "real" Nong Tum (correct spelling), makes the movie even more inspiring.
Chad S. gave it a7:
If the only Thai films you're familiar with are those directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, "Beautiful Boxer" will surprise you by its very mainstream sensibility. This film, with its many crane shots, in retrospective voice-overs, and aim-to-please humor, was clearly made for a general audience which would indicate that Thailand isn't plagued with Christian fundamentalism. Although Nong faces his fair share of discrimination, it's not by the people close to him, in particular, the coach, whose reaction to his pupil's secret life is not what you'd expect. At times, the tone of "Beautiful Boxer" is all over the map, because the film tries to have it both ways. The predictable laughs that can be had at most people's perceptions that the idea of a gay boxer is an oxymoron, and also the solicitation of our sympathies when that oxymoron starts to wear down our hero. Nevertheless, Asanee Suwan is very good, and "Beautiful Boxer" tells a story that, most likely, could only have happened in Thailand. Dennis Rodman, however, would've probably played basketball in drag if he was given permission to.
David G. gave it a9:
A sensitive movie about desires and decisions made so young in life it seems unfathomable. This picture did not fall into the same cliché traps of so many other films dealing with transgender do. I was moved by this film.
Sam J. gave it a10:
Exceptionally well-crafted and moving biopic that treats its subject with emotional restraint and dignity. The film boats a truly superb central performance and lush production vales. First-time Thai director brings some dramatic complexity to the material.
Maciek gave it a10:
I rarely see films twice, but “Beautiful Boxer” continues to be a remarkably evocative film even on a second viewing. I saw it last summer at Outfest, and took several friends to see it this weekend, because I knew that they wouldn’t see it on their own. It was a third choice film when I first saw it at the festival. I’m not a fan of boxing, and have seen my share of documentaries on the transsexual experience, so I was not particularly interested. Since I hadn’t seen a Thai film, I decided to go. What a gratifying surprise the film turned out to be! “Beautiful Boxer” transcends time, culture, ethnicity, and gender identity to illuminate the humanity of the characters. Asanee Suwan the lead actor who plays Nong Toom is amazing. At the first viewing I thought that there was a very similar looking stunt double who did the fight scenes. Yet in the post film discussion with the Director Ekachai Uekrongtham we learned that the Asanee is an actual Muay Thai professional boxer. This was his first acting role. That makes his performance even more remarkable. He communicates the full range of Toom’s being, seamlessly integrating the feminine and masculine dimensions of his/her personality. In Iron Ladies and in other transgender themed films, the transvestites are usually in-your-face, over-the-top characters. The gender themes are either campy and/or played for laughs. “Beautiful Boxer” on the other hand conveys the inner life of the Toom’s struggle to assert her identity. I was very moved by Toom’s dignity, steadfast courage, and perseverance in coming to terms with who she is. The film is poignant and ultimately inspiring. Yet it is also very entertaining. The film provides a window into Muay Thai boxing, both its beauty and violence, the socio-economic conditions in Thailand, and aspects of Thai culture. It was a most rewarding experience. BTW my friends agreed. Go see it!
Jan gave it a9:
Very good acting & fight scenes.
