Anna and the King
Anna and the King

Anna and the King

1999Movie148 minEnglish

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.

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Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes54%
Metacritic49/100
Google Users72%
Director: Andy TennantGenres: Biography, Drama, Romance, History, War

Plot Summary

In 1862, Anna Leonowens, a widowed English schoolteacher, travels to Siam to tutor the King's many children. She navigates the complex royal court and forms an unlikely friendship with the progressive King Mongkut, while also dealing with the political pressures of potential Western annexation. Anna struggles to maintain her independence and impart her values to the royal family in a land with vastly different customs and beliefs.

Critical Reception

Anna and the King received mixed to positive reviews. Critics praised the performances of Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat, as well as the film's visual splendor and emotional depth. However, some found the historical accuracy debatable and the pacing occasionally slow, leading to a somewhat uneven reception.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning with strong lead performances that elevate the material.
  • A well-intentioned historical drama that is occasionally hampered by a predictable plot and uneven pacing.
  • The cultural clashes and the relationship between Anna and the King are compellingly portrayed.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the performances and the historical setting, finding the film to be a beautiful and touching story. Some viewers felt the narrative could have been more engaging and historically accurate.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction, and a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Jodie Foster).

Fun Fact

The film faced controversy in Thailand, where its release was banned due to perceived historical inaccuracies and disrespectful portrayals of the Thai monarchy.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

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 F...