Movie Review: Beautiful Boxer (2003)

Based on the true story of Parinya Charoenphol, also known in the ring as Nong Toom, flawlessly played by newcomer Asanee Suwan, champion Muay Thai kick boxer in this is the tale of man who since childhood was not comfortable in his body. As a young boy, he was drawn to lipstick and playing with flowers. His parents attribute his transvestite state to poor karma and send him off to become a monk. This compelling tale finds him later winning his first match by skill and beginner’s luck in the kick boxing ring at a local temple fair. The rest as they say is history. He continues with the sport, eventually wearing makeup in his bouts, so that he can afford his sexual reassignment surgery.

The real Parinya Charoenphol

I really enjoyed this movie. Although his parents were accepting of his sexuality, the very male kick boxing camp was not. So Pari had to hide his sexuality again. His coach finds out because he catches him with his wife, sharing makeup. But this was really on purpose, because he needed a gimmick to get him to the big arena in Bangkok. He wore makeup to one local fight, and was promoted to the big arena in Bangkok. Then the question arose, was he really a transvestite or just faking it? There was really so much more going on, but I don’t like to give the whole plot away in my reviews. Also, there were stunning kick boxing sequences (all performed by real kick boxers) and breathtaking views of Thailand. This movie is definitely worth a look. I give this movie:

**** of five stars.