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Editorial Reviews
While Aung San Suu Kyi becomes the core of Burma's democracy movement the relationship she shares with her husband struggles to endure against a background of political turmoil and sacrifice.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
With Powerful And Dignified Performances, An Epic International Story Loses Some Insight Due To A Focus On Family
September 29, 2012
Format:Blu-ray
The story of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi has surely got to be one of the most compelling, fascinating, and inspirational tales of fortitude and commitment in the arena of international politics. Winning the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggles to bring democracy to her war-torn land, Suu Kyi gave up everything (including family and freedom) for a cause and a country. It is an epic ongoing tale, one that would surely make an incredible film. Luc Besson, perhaps best known for his flair for stylistic action, takes on "The Lady" and it is a real change-of-pace from his usual fare. The wisest decision that Besson made was casting Michelle Yeoh in the leading role. She brings a tremendous dignity to the proceedings and her calm AND gravitas make her quite believable as Burma's national heroine. "The Lady" doesn't play as a straight-up biography, though. The focus of the film is Suu Kyi's family. I think this is an interesting idea to explore, but also one that I didn't think truly worked. By splitting the plot lines, we end up gaining very little insight into Suu Kyi or the political climate of Burma. If you aren't intimately familiar with the story, you might question why Suu Kyi is so passionate to the cause and just what her specific contributions are.
The movie begins with a bit of back story. We see Suu Kyi's father (a hero of the independence movement) murdered as Burma is presented as a land ruled by force. We then fast forward to Suu Kyi playing the role of an average British housewife. She has a perfect family, her husband (David Thewlis) is an Oxford professor and her two teenage boys are vaguely interchangeable. When her mother back home in Burma becomes ill, she returns to her homeland. Due to her heritage, she is held up as a prominent face for reform. Soon she is being elevated to leader status, but the screenplay never really explains this process in any detail. One day she's just ready to take the mantle. I wanted to see more of what made this transition, get closer to the Suu Kyi character. But we remain somewhat distant throughout due to the split focus. While Suu Kyi is becoming a political power (mostly off screen), Thewlis struggles with cooking and laundry. Really? But "The Lady" is meant to be a more personal telling as the family is divided and threatened. Once again, though, some insight into these personal travails would also have been appreciated. Yeoh and Thewlis never waver from their convictions, display doubt, or wrestle with these hardships in any tangible way. They just accept them nobly and, thus, the love story also lacks a certain depth.
But it's hard to dismiss "The Lady" and, indeed, I quite recommend it. I just don't think that it is the great film that it might have been. Through it all, I couldn't take my eyes off of Yeoh and this is easily her strongest performance in years. Despite the gaps in the story, she made me believe that Suu Kyi would stand as a country's role model. I wish the story wasn't so muted in its political explanations, because really understanding Burma and its struggles would have made this a profound experience. With this woman of sacrifice and solidity, though, the movie still packs an emotional punch. More a love letter to a relationship than an in-depth biography, "The Lady" is a well made film for adults. But for me, it misses the mark to make it the unforgettable epic that it deserved to be. I'd love to see the subject matter explored again with a slightly different perspective. But, for now, "The Lady" and especially Yeoh have whetted my appetite to read up on the real life Suu Kyi. And that's something. KGHarris, 9/12.
The movie begins with a bit of back story. We see Suu Kyi's father (a hero of the independence movement) murdered as Burma is presented as a land ruled by force. We then fast forward to Suu Kyi playing the role of an average British housewife. She has a perfect family, her husband (David Thewlis) is an Oxford professor and her two teenage boys are vaguely interchangeable. When her mother back home in Burma becomes ill, she returns to her homeland. Due to her heritage, she is held up as a prominent face for reform. Soon she is being elevated to leader status, but the screenplay never really explains this process in any detail. One day she's just ready to take the mantle. I wanted to see more of what made this transition, get closer to the Suu Kyi character. But we remain somewhat distant throughout due to the split focus. While Suu Kyi is becoming a political power (mostly off screen), Thewlis struggles with cooking and laundry. Really? But "The Lady" is meant to be a more personal telling as the family is divided and threatened. Once again, though, some insight into these personal travails would also have been appreciated. Yeoh and Thewlis never waver from their convictions, display doubt, or wrestle with these hardships in any tangible way. They just accept them nobly and, thus, the love story also lacks a certain depth.
But it's hard to dismiss "The Lady" and, indeed, I quite recommend it. I just don't think that it is the great film that it might have been. Through it all, I couldn't take my eyes off of Yeoh and this is easily her strongest performance in years. Despite the gaps in the story, she made me believe that Suu Kyi would stand as a country's role model. I wish the story wasn't so muted in its political explanations, because really understanding Burma and its struggles would have made this a profound experience. With this woman of sacrifice and solidity, though, the movie still packs an emotional punch. More a love letter to a relationship than an in-depth biography, "The Lady" is a well made film for adults. But for me, it misses the mark to make it the unforgettable epic that it deserved to be. I'd love to see the subject matter explored again with a slightly different perspective. But, for now, "The Lady" and especially Yeoh have whetted my appetite to read up on the real life Suu Kyi. And that's something. KGHarris, 9/12.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By adakongpo
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
this movie is an epic and an inspirational one story.... Anyone who believes in the spirit of human being will appreciate this movie... despite some people's supression, the lady came out as iconic figure who provides voice to her people....
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Amazon Instant Video
This is a must see movie about love dedication and selflessness. The cast and the storyline was phenomenal.! was phSimply awesome
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Lady, A wonderful movie
My review of this movie, I'm tired of Hollywood garbage. I enjoy movies that have some truth to them. and she is a true hero.
Published 28 days ago by david schuster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting film -- and note on different releases --
This may not be a masterpiece, but it is nonetheless riveting; as difficult to stop watching it as it is to take one's eyes off the charismatic Aung San Suu Kyi. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JNagarya
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting film on the life of a real life champion.
I found out about this film from a Wiki page. On ordering and then viewing it I was impressed by the story and characters. I know very little about this part of the world. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Steve Manion
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful film!
This film was a beautiful depiction of the rightful leader of Burma, and yet a sad tale of the corruption that is still taking place in that ravaged country.
Published 2 months ago by Jeffery C. Schlitzkus
5.0 out of 5 stars
A poignant glimpse into the realities of modern day oppression
Like the omnipresent shadow of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia or the corrupt state of Vietnam, it's a humbling fact to know much of South East Asia does not share the simple pleasures... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Quang Trinh
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Steel Orchid
Despite the flaws in this dramatized biopic of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi - far too long at 132 minutes, more emphasis on a family drama than an important change in... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Grady Harp
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed this movie
I am taking a "Great Decisions" course and this was very relivant to our study of Myanmar. It gave me a better understanding of the history of this country and the people... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Judith Quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great interpretation
I wanted to see this movie so much I ordered it from the US. I was not disappointed. Michelle Yeoh really captured the character. What a change from her usual portrayals. Read more
Published 2 months ago by C.A.Schofield
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRAVO
This film told a true story of the selfless devotion to an honest cause, the dominion over the evil that presents itself to thought, and is a tribute to the true dignity of man. Read more
Published 2 months ago by kathleen marie merewether
5.0 out of 5 stars
A five star movie.
One of the best movie. The characters are awesome and the story is a real life event about the brutalities of a military rule.
I would recommend it to others.
I would recommend it to others.
Published 2 months ago by WOW
