Beautiful Boxer (2004)

My other half, being a thai boxer himself and having met the the woman this story is based on, suggested we rent Beautiful Boxer as he was interested in learning the full story. Initially I was sceptical, the opening scenes were poorly acted and I thought we were in for a crap film but after a few minutes, I was enthralled. The story is beautifully told and you can't help but fall in love with Toom, the main character. The fight scenes were well shot and not OTT, and the film gives you an insight into a world so different to our own. The Thai's are so much more accepting of transgenders, the Western world could do well to learn from them. Overall, I loved this film - TWO THUMBS UP!!!!

I have to recommend this film. I can see why it won severeal awards. Its well acted has a unique storyline which isnt in movies very often, the position of a person who is one gender but turns into another. The film is a very emotional movie at times and is about the journey of a young man trying to help his family while struggling with his sense if identity and desire of indentity. If you see only a few films this year or next year try to make it this 1.

If this wasn't based on a true story, you'd think the whole thing mad. But it is, and we're taken into a world and philosophy a long way from our own. Quite an incredible journey in what would have been a massive story in Thai culture, well acted. The fight scenes are done well enough and not overly done either. One down point though would be an awful pan pipes-esque version of "Moon river" that plays throughout! Extras are worth viewing

Judging by the reviews i thought this was gonna be some insightful, thought provoking drama dealing with the inner turmoil of a person suffering from transgender issues. But alas, it turned out to be more of a tacky quick fix kind of thing. I love thailand and am very familiar with its muay thai boxing and ladyboys a plenty, but this didn't really deliver a knock out blow....sorry.

Featuring some excellent Thai Boxing sequences this is a movie about a man fighting his way to become a woman. Quite sensitively delivered, this is a moving tale featuring an excellent lead. Falls a bit between two stools but works for the most part.