I’d like to run a disclaimer. I do not write movie reviews. Rather, I write about how a film makes me feel and my thoughts while watching.
With that said, “The King and I,” reminded me I am a man who can wear many hats. On one hand I saw an adorable film with heart-warming scenes, lovely dance choreography, and musical accompaniment.
On the harsh side of reality, I saw stereotypes and caricatures —I could have easily had a field day picking the film apart.
But I was determined to enjoy myself. I let my senses take over and was charmed by the characters Anna and the King of Siam: Anna, being the world traveler and educator, and (KING), the firm ruler of Siam who has knack for learning and a love for science.
I must say, the King, played by Russian actor Yul Brynner and Anna, played by Deborah Kerr, had great chemistry on screen, developing a touching relationship—all with tears, laughter and dancing. I was truly moved by the 1950’s “innocence” injected into the film, a nice thing to see in a world so jaded.
After the film, I researched the back-story of Anna Leonowens. In the late 1800s, Leonowens took a teaching position in Siam—modern day Thailand—giving King Mongkut ‘s 82 children and 39 wives a western education.
Leonowens arrives from England, with her son Louie, bearing a wealth of knowledge—the West meets the East. She wrote about the concubines and her thoughts on the King, all of which would influence Margaret Landon’s book “Anna and the King of Siam.”
Many of the accounts, which believed to be sensationalized by some circles, were grounds for even having the film banned in Thailand. It appears Leonowens would take credit for inspiring and molding King Mongkut’s successor—his son Chulalongkorn.
She believed introducing Chulalongkorn to the Uncle Toms Cabin heavily influenced his decision to abolish slavery. But Thai historians firmly deny her role Chulaglongkorn’s many reforms.
However, it seems “The King and I,” captures our attempt at understanding and connecting with each other rather than a historical account. But, for me, the accurate, or inaccurate, telling of history is not as jarring the depictions of Asians in the film. —And no. I’m not Asian, so what? Even if largely based on Landon’s book, the film reflected a harsh reality of innocent 1950’s America. The mere fact that Russian actor played King of Siam is telling. They’re many roles that were not played by Asians, but rather a Caucasian in yellow face.
If you want to see our social progress in America, I would like to challenge you to watch the evolution of Anna Leonowens’ story.
There’s a 1946 film, “Anna and the King of Siam, King Mongkut played by Rex Harrison—the no need to be politically correct era. And a 1999 version “Anna and the King,” King Mongkut , this time, played by Chow Yung Fat also starring Jodie Foster—pretty interesting transformations of the King. I’m currently checking out the 1946 film for kicks and giggles.
As for the King and I, I feel the film is definitely worth watching, especially for those who enjoy musicals. There are plenty of classic songs, which I didn’t know came from this film. As always, there are many different perspectives to view a film with, many different hats to wear. It seems I always enjoy a film when I take off the thinking cap… I thought it was funny.
With that said, “The King and I,” reminded me I am a man who can wear many hats. On one hand I saw an adorable film with heart-warming scenes, lovely dance choreography, and musical accompaniment.
On the harsh side of reality, I saw stereotypes and caricatures —I could have easily had a field day picking the film apart.
But I was determined to enjoy myself. I let my senses take over and was charmed by the characters Anna and the King of Siam: Anna, being the world traveler and educator, and (KING), the firm ruler of Siam who has knack for learning and a love for science.
I must say, the King, played by Russian actor Yul Brynner and Anna, played by Deborah Kerr, had great chemistry on screen, developing a touching relationship—all with tears, laughter and dancing. I was truly moved by the 1950’s “innocence” injected into the film, a nice thing to see in a world so jaded.
After the film, I researched the back-story of Anna Leonowens. In the late 1800s, Leonowens took a teaching position in Siam—modern day Thailand—giving King Mongkut ‘s 82 children and 39 wives a western education.
Leonowens arrives from England, with her son Louie, bearing a wealth of knowledge—the West meets the East. She wrote about the concubines and her thoughts on the King, all of which would influence Margaret Landon’s book “Anna and the King of Siam.”
Many of the accounts, which believed to be sensationalized by some circles, were grounds for even having the film banned in Thailand. It appears Leonowens would take credit for inspiring and molding King Mongkut’s successor—his son Chulalongkorn.
She believed introducing Chulalongkorn to the Uncle Toms Cabin heavily influenced his decision to abolish slavery. But Thai historians firmly deny her role Chulaglongkorn’s many reforms.
However, it seems “The King and I,” captures our attempt at understanding and connecting with each other rather than a historical account. But, for me, the accurate, or inaccurate, telling of history is not as jarring the depictions of Asians in the film. —And no. I’m not Asian, so what? Even if largely based on Landon’s book, the film reflected a harsh reality of innocent 1950’s America. The mere fact that Russian actor played King of Siam is telling. They’re many roles that were not played by Asians, but rather a Caucasian in yellow face.
If you want to see our social progress in America, I would like to challenge you to watch the evolution of Anna Leonowens’ story.
There’s a 1946 film, “Anna and the King of Siam, King Mongkut played by Rex Harrison—the no need to be politically correct era. And a 1999 version “Anna and the King,” King Mongkut , this time, played by Chow Yung Fat also starring Jodie Foster—pretty interesting transformations of the King. I’m currently checking out the 1946 film for kicks and giggles.
As for the King and I, I feel the film is definitely worth watching, especially for those who enjoy musicals. There are plenty of classic songs, which I didn’t know came from this film. As always, there are many different perspectives to view a film with, many different hats to wear. It seems I always enjoy a film when I take off the thinking cap… I thought it was funny.
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