A Luta Pela Beleza

Beautiful Boxer is a very sensitive film which portrays a biographical timeline of the life events of the transsexual former Muay Thai Champion, Nong Thoom.

Thoom's story is told in a very sympathetic manner, and it is through the delicate story telling that the audience can see Thoom's struggle of self-acceptance, perseverance, inner courage, and social circumstances.

Nong Thoom's character is portrayed very believably by Asanee Suwan as his debut film. The performance even awarded him the Thailand National Film Association's prize for Best Actor. Through his portrayal of Nong Thoom, it becomes possible for the audience to really gain of a sense of the inner struggle that Thoom endured throughout her life in order to be who she wanted to be.

Aside from the story and it's portrayal itself, a commonly overlooked aspect of the film is it's color and sense of atmosphere. The sequences in particular which depict Nong Thoom's childhood/early years display very lush forest greens, and carry a very soothing atmosphere. Not to say that there were was any graphical/color manipulations applied to the forest scenes (while there may have been slightly, as is the case in practically any film) it is more of how delicately such scenes were treated in terms of atmosphere which was a standout quality to the film. Such relaxing scenes also aid the depiction and communicate the sense that Nong Thoom's childhood, although she was discriminated against in a subtle manner; was lucky enough to still live a peaceful childhood despite her transgender feelings. It could be that through such a base of peace, and (mostly) support around her at a young age, that she was able to persevere at a very consistent rate until she became the most popular Muay Thai Champion in Thailand.

I rate this film highly for it's sense of biographical delicacy, nicely shot fight-scenes, and soothing sense of atmosphere. Biography, martial arts, and drama fans alike all have equal potential to enjoy this film.

I had the good fortune to catch the movie in my country Singapore, where the local audience has been warming up to Thai movies in recent months, no less thanks to other Thai movies in the same league that has made an impact here - notably "Ong Bak" and "Fan Chan".

While Beautiful Boxer marks theatre director Ekachai Uekrongtham's directorial debut in the cinematic stage(previously best known for his Chang & Eng musical), it certainly packs a poignant & powerful punch with a deftly artistic element that will pave the way for his future movies to come.

Actor Asanee Suwan does a fine job as reel-life Nong Toom struggling to make enough money as a thai kick boxer to undergo the knife in his dream to become a real woman. The director treats his audience to a refreshing array of kick boxing stunts coupled with his artistic creativity that makes the action and poignant scenes commendable and touching. The inner struggles faced by Nong Toom as he battle the collision of testosterone and estrogen within his body and soul delivers the true essence and spirit of the movie that makes watching it an uplifting experience. The close relationship and love he gets from his endearing mother soothes his inner pain and cushion the degree of sympathy showered on his potrayal as a pitiful character.

Some of us can probably resonate with his pain and inner conflicts as there are often setbacks that leaves us "emotionally crippled". The reflective scenes with plenty of natural scenary could, however, been better choreographed with more grace to create a more sombre mood. Above all, Asanee potrays the character with tremendous aplomb and steely will, and was duly rewarded with a 2004 Thai Suppanahongsa Best Actor Award.

As my tagline suggests, its rare to see such a testosterone and estrogen charged movie within the same character A commendable effort that will turn the spotlight on finer Thai movies to come. 4 stars out of 5. - Tukta's Sarmee

I almost did not believe that this was a true story. I didn't know that this movie would go into that much detail about Toom. The movie followed him from a small boy to full grown man or should I say woman. Also, I did not know that Thai boxing was losing its appeal to the Thailand audience. Now Thai boxing is back in full swing worldwide thanks to Toom. It was very interesting to go into rural and urban Thailand to see the vast difference between the two. I was required to view this movie as part of my class, but in all reality it proved to be one I will remember. Just an overall good movie. This movie has both action for the guys and beauty for the girls so this one might even be a good date movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see the REAL Thailand the country, the people, and the culture or simply a tearjerker that packs a punch.

I recently watched this movie in my Anthropology class. I honestly had no idea what it was going to be about. My first assumption, was that the boxer was a beautiful person and that he turned thai boxing into an art rather than "a violent sport." Than after it was over, I thought it was a great movie. It was even better because it made in Thailand and gave a realistic take on Thai culture. I don't know how accepting people would be here in the United States with a transsexual boxer fighting in makeup. But then again we have the WWE who have an array of different types of characters, so then again it just might be okay. I really enjoyed how he was fighting to help support his family back home and not just for fame and glory. I definitely would recommend this film.

Sylvia Torres Milwaukee, WI

"A Beautiful Boxer" tells a touching story of a girl born into the wrong body, and who, through boxing, would eventually be able to become one through surgery. It's a story about overcoming one's fate.

Nong Toom was interested in dancing, putting on girl's makeup, and wearing woman's clothes from a very early age. His mother comments at the very beginning of the story that it was "just a fad", but it soon becomes clear that this isn't a phase; it's just the story of boy who should have been born a girl.

The writing and filming is solid and so is the pacing with the exception of a few moments. But what makes this film rise above its technical merits is its heart. The acting is superb. At some points, you forget that you're just watching a movie because it's clear that the actors, especially Nong Toom's Asanee Suwan, are really becoming their characters. Thanks to this, we get a plethora of heartfelt moments and really get a feel for a subject area that is relatively untouched, transsexuals. Sometimes transsexuals get a bad rep, but the fact is that these are real people who have to overcome the exceptional struggle of coming to term with their own gender identity while the people around you despise you, bully you, and at times make your life a living hell because they don't really understand.

Overall, Nong Toom is an exceptional movie with a psychological edge that is harshly realistic. I recommend it to everyone, because I believe it's a story that everyone should be familiar with. Transgenderism isn't as rare as people think.