Reviews

RSS

Beautiful Boxer

3

Oct 21st 2005

It's hardly surprising that Parinyaya Charoemphol, aka Nong Toom, our hero(ine) in this biopic of Thailand's first cross-dressing kick-boxer, wonders if he's "a woman in a boxer's body or an animal in a circus show", when he is described as "Rocky with mascara". Ekachai Uekrongtham's film touchingly charts its protagonist's identity crisis while recreating his most violent scraps in lurid Ong-Bak style.

Played by real-life kick-boxer Asanee Suwan, Toom's love of make-up made him both icon and freak show. It's a remarkable story and Uekrongtham tells it with clarity by using the well-worn device of having a reporter quiz a post-sex op Charoemphol (now an actress) on her tumultuous past. The pacing is a little sluggish and the director treats his subject too reverently, but, when it connects, Beautiful Boxer hits hard and true.

Film Details

  • tbc
  • UK Theatrical Release Date: Oct 21st 2005

Try This...

Beautiful Boxer News and Features

Watch the trailer

Like this? Then try...
Leave a comment or submit your review and rating