The Lady
Written by administrator
Movie Info
| Director: | Luc Besson |
| Cast: | Michelle Yeoh, David Thewlis, Jonathan Raggett |
| Genre: | Drama, History |
| Run Time: | 132 mins |
Playing the eponymous lady is Michelle Yeoh, and her incarnation of the celebrated politician Aung San Suu Kyi – Burma’s premiere proponent of democracy - is the film’s strongest aspect. She delivers the part with much reverence, channelling Suu Kyi’s zen-like serenity, steadfast kindness and unflappable grace. But despite her sterling performance, the film gets caged up in inertia.
Director Luc Besson, most famous for his sci-fi hit The Fifth Element, as well as his Transporter films, does a good job portraying Aung San Suu Kyi’s non violent nature, her unwavering conviction towards democracy, and basically almost all her saintly qualities; yet he is so caught up in his starry-eyed worship of Suu Kyi that he neglects to include other important biographical details, like the beginnings of Suu Kyi’s political philosophies. There isn’t a hint that Suu Kyi is less than perfect, and that’s one of the biggest flaws of the film: we want to watch the life story of a human being, not the second coming of Mother Theresa. And even if Suu Kyi is really as saintly as portrayed, there are fundamental problems with the plot and the direction, which are both strangely inert.
Still, it never gets old admiring Yeoh’s poise and screen charisma.
Summary: An over-earnest film that becomes almost dull at some point, that is somewhat buoyed by a strong central performance by Yeoh.
Rating: 3/5 Raymond Tan
