Jodie Foster, Chow Yun Fat, Tom Felton

What's a director to do? Andy Tennant's previous film was the highly enjoyable Cinderella romance Ever After, which vanished from theaters and became a video hit. Then Tennant made this gorgeou...( read more  read more... )s, nonmusical version of Anna and the King, and once again felt the sting of box-office failure. Both films deserved better, and this Anna is certain to eventually find the appreciative audience that eluded it in theaters. In many ways, this delightful costume romance transcends the latter-day quaintness of The King and I to offer a more lavish and rewarding version of the story of Anna Leonowens, based on her diaries and first told in Margaret Landon's 1944 novel.

In an otherwise admirable performance (although many felt her miscast), Jodie Foster struggles with her Victorian accent as Anna, the grieving widow who arrives in Siam in 1860 with her young son. Having accepted a post as tutor for the many children of the polygamous King Mongkut (Chow Yun-Fat), Anna finds herself drawn to the progressive monarch, whose passions swirl in a turbulent political climate. If the chemistry isn't entirely there, this culture clash still has plenty of regal charm, and Luciana Arrighi's production design is appropriately magnificent. Humor and politics are given equal measure, and Chow Yun-Fat is arguably the most endearing king to date--powerful yet tender, forceful but anguished by the heavier burdens of leadership. Bai Ling's intense performance as the tragic lover Tuptim adds emotional depth to one of the most underrated films of 1999. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

64% liked it

69,918 ratings

Critics

51% liked it

96 critics

PG-13, 147 min.

Directed by: Andy Tennant

Release Date: June 1, 2000

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DVD Release Date: October 31, 2000

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Stats: 1,995 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,995)


  • August 14, 2008
    Such a beautiful story. Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat play their roles perfectly. I loved it.
  • September 15, 2007
    Beautiful and thought provoking. The picture is a remake of Anna and the King of Siam, but differs in many respects from that picture and also from the related musical, The King and I.
  • August 20, 2007
    Makes a fine addition to my collection.
  • August 18, 2007
    I knew the basic story from the Yul Brenner version of the King and I, but this is well done. The scene on the bridge is a bit of a stretch. But I liked the movie's humour and the lessons it teaches. The ending is appropriate as well.
  • August 9, 2007
    I love the original with Yul Brunner and I was so amazed how well this was done
  • November 16, 2009
    Anna is a smart woman whom attract the king. It's a great movie. Love could touch two persons from two different culture. Love it...
    But if the king has that much of son and daughter, how could he remember all names of them?
    And the names of his lover and wife?
    He must have a gre...( read more)at memory.
  • November 13, 2009
    Wow! this movie is sooooooooooo........interesting n romantic,....
  • September 16, 2009
    Different take on the Rogers and Hammerstein musical. No singing more drama, action. Nicely done.
  • August 24, 2009
    Okay, so yah remember when Peter made his own version of this play on Family Guy? Lolz.
  • August 21, 2009
    A great story about a widow who moves to Siam with her son to work as a teacher for the king's children. She brings a whole new culture to the Siamese people and she isn't afraid of telling them her opinion on various things.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Foster, I believe, sees right through this material and out the other side, and doesn't believe in a bit of it. full review

View more Anna and the King reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • haldir4ever
    June 26, 2007
    i luv this movie even though i only got it cause tom felton was in it some parts i didnt want to see cause it was too gory ne ways this movie rox!!!!!!!!!!!
  • VampireGeek
    May 14, 2007
    Looks awsome anna did so much in her life. We should all respect her ...

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Anna and the King Trivia


  • In what movie did Tom Felton play the son of Jodi Foster?  Answer »
  • Which child actor from the Harry Potter series stared as Peagreen in 'The Borrowers' and louis in 'Anna and the King'?  Answer »
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