Anna And The King (1999)

(In theaters, December 1999) A sumptuous, lavishly detailed historical quasi-romance with flashes of comedy, drama and action. Something for everyone, including good performances by Jodie Foster (“an intellectual’s pin-up girl” says one colleague) and Chow Yun-Fat (who here broadens his appeal beyond the tough-guy action roles that have been his trademark for American audiences up to now.) The film does loses its focus midway through and meanders a lot during its final hour. Audiences still get an adequate entertainment and some very pretty scenery.