Beautiful Boxer
Starring: Asanee Suwan, Sorapong Chatree, Orn-Anong Panyawong
Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Category: IIB (Thai with Chinese and English subtitles)
First-time Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham has wisely decided to let the remarkable story of kickboxer Parinya Charoenphol, or Nong Toom, pretty much tell itself. He's put his faith in the fact that Nong Toom's journey - from impoverished childhood to fame, from novice monk to champion kick-boxer, from man to woman - is so engrossing that he doesn't need grand statements or messages. And it works.
Much of the glory can be put down to the inspired casting of novice actor and one-time kick-boxer Asanee Suwan in the lead. It's a performance of such grace and charm that you'd think he'd been at this acting caper all his life.
