Jodie Foster

Anna and the King

Genre/Type:  Period Drama, Romantic Epic, Epic, Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating:   PG13
Major Cast:   Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling
Director:   Andy Tennant
Plot Summary: The true story of Anna Leonowens's experiences as a governess to the children to an eccentric Asian king has been adapted into a book of memoirs, a biography, a stage play called Anna and the King of Siam which was adapted into a 1946 film, a stage musical called The King and I which has been made into both live-action The King and I (1956) and animated The King and I (1999) feature films, and a short-lived 1972 TV series. Now the story has been brought to the screen yet again, as Jodie Foster stars as Leonowens, hired by the King of Thailand (Chow Yun-Fat) in the 19th century to help care for his children. The King wants the best for his children, but Anna soon discovers that he is a strong-willed but quixotic leader, and her stay in Thailand becomes a struggle for power with romantic overtones, as they decide who will have authority over the royal youngsters. Anna and the King was directed by Andy Tennant, best known for his 1998 variation on the Cinderella story, Ever After. -- Mark Deming ( All Movie Guide )