:
Asanee Suwan,
Asanee Suwan,
Sorapong Chatri,
more...
:
Ekachai Uekrongtham,
Ekachai Uekrongtham
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: TLA Releasing
: Drama, Foreign, Sports Drama, Biopics, Japan, Southeast Asia, Sports, Sports Drama
: 118 min.
: Thai
: English
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Inspired by a true story, this drama from Thailand tells the story of Nong Toom (Asanee Suwan), who was born in a small community where his family struggled with poverty, and Nong Toom himself was the target of bullies who made fun of his delicate nature. From his early childhood, Nong Toom felt more like a girl than a boy, and when he encounters a transsexual for the first time, he comes to the realization that he also is a woman trapped in a man's body. While Nong Toom is not by his nature aggressive, one day he is forced to fight a bully to defend one of his friends, and he discovers he has a natural talent for kickboxing. Nong Toom begins training with a skilled kickboxing coach, Pi Chart (Sorapong Chatri), but despite the best efforts of Nong Toom and his best friend Pi Bua (Natcha Bootsri), the secret of his unorthodox sexuality leaks out. To his surprise, Pi Chart accepts Nong Toom as he is, and boxing promoter Pi Mo (Somsak Tuangmukda) embraces his lifestyle as a marketable gimmick, as the fighter now battles his opponents while wearing makeup -- and wins more often than not; however, Nong Toom begins to alienate his new following when he declares that his embrace of women's clothing and makeup is not a joke and that he's saving his prize money to one day have a sex-change operation. While Beautiful Boxer was based on the life story of Thai kickboxing champ Nong Toom Prinya Charoenphol, the fighter himself did not actively participate in the making of the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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by alexjb
April 21, 2006 - 9:09 PM PDT
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this movie tells a great story. it's complemented by occasionally gorgeous visuals, as well as some interesting insight into thai culture and the world of kickboxing.
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| Million Dollar Gayby
by talltale
August 18, 2005 - 8:10 PM PDT
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4 out of 5 members found this review helpful
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It's funny how the same old clichés somehow "aren't" when they're used in a movie that deliberately turns things upside down. The Thai film BEAUTIFUL BOXER is one such cliché-ridden romp that fascinates from first frame to last, as it charts the rise and growth of Thailand's famous boxer/kickboxer who embraced the sport in order to help his parents and save money for a sex change operation.
The lead actor is beautiful and entrancing, sweet but full of grit. By the end, if you stick with it, this movie will take you many of the same places you've often been--but make them new, exotic and special. Unlike movies about women boxers ("Girlfight," "Million $ Baby"), in which women try to act like/out-male the men, due to its juxtaposition of violent, testosterone-fueled boxing and a character full of caring, supportive, feminine spirit, "Beautiful Boxer" becomes pretty close to one-of-a-kind. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.55)
64 Votes
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