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.
