Starring Michelle Yeoh, David Thewlis
Directed by Luc Besson
Over his career, Luc Besson has shown little aversion to dumbing it down, with the results ranging from vacuous entertainments (The Fifth Element) to boneheaded misfires (The Messenger). However, rarely has he concerned himself with being either respectful or respectable, making this staid hagiography of Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) an extremely uncharacteristic undertaking.
Perhaps this explains why Besson doesnt seem to know precisely how to find his way into this biopic. After a prelude in 1947 Burma, he whisks us to 1998 Oxford, where Michael Aris (David Thewlis), Suu Kyis English husband, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As he withers away, flashbacks reveal how he was separated from his wife. Cut to 1988 as Suu Kyi journeys to Burma and becomes embroiled in pro-democracy protests. From there, the plot points mirror Suu Kyis Wikipedia page, as shes elected to parliament only to be placed under house arrest by the oppressive military regime.
Given that factually accurate is the highest praise that Rebecca Frayns screenplay might possibly warrant, The Lady begs for a director who can breathe life into the intimate moments between the landmark events. With his noted preference for broad-stroke storytelling and characterization, Besson simply isnt that filmmaker. Just as the cartoonish depictions of the Burmese military undermines their cruelty, the beatific light Suu Kyi is cast in does her a disservice, depriving her of any complexity. Consequently, when she suddenly claims to possess a terrible temper thats never once glimpsed in 132 minutes, you cant help but laugh.
Regrettably, unintentional humour is this films strongest suit.. Curtis Woloschuk
