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