Beautiful Boxer Essay Example

achieve his desires in this life, and with that in mind, Toom returns home.

Toom and his brother discover a nearby kickboxing camp and decide to unofficially observe it before finally summoning the courage to explore it themselves. Although Toom doesn't possess a specific interest in fighting, his innate talent catches the attention of Pi Chart, the coach. Despite expressing concerns about potential injuries, Pi Chart emphasizes that skilled fighters rarely get hurt. Consequently, Toom opts to reside at the camp, where he inevitably faces the challenge of sharing sleeping quarters and showers with numerous sexually aroused teenage boys. Despite excelling as a fighter, Toom's anxiety causes him to isolate himself by showering alone and finding solace in a private spot for sleeping.

The coach's wife provides him with lessons when he can no longer resist the urge to experiment with lipstick. Surprisingly, Pi Chart is accepting of this. Upon discovering Pi Chart's new interest, his boss, the attention-seeking camp owner, is excited. He gives Toom money so that he can buy waterproof makeup to prevent it from running when he sweats. Toom decides to go public with his newfound hobby despite initially facing harsh taunting. One of his competitors mimics Toom by also wearing makeup and parading around the ring. Toom confronts him and states that individuals like him tarnish the reputation of people like Toom. To resolve the situation swiftly, Toom delivers a powerful roundhouse kick to the competitor's head.

From there, Toom quickly rises to fame as a national and international celebrity, getting closer and closer to his ultimate goal: becoming a woman. This adds social relevance to the film "Beautiful Boxer," a boxing film

that gives a unique twist to the genre. Instead of focusing on a macho hero overcoming odds and gaining success, this film tells the story of a man who wants to transition into a woman using the money he earns from fights. "Beautiful Boxer" is inspired by the true story of Nong Toom (Parinya Charoenphol) and showcases the potential of Thailand. Although the plot is simple, it is solid gold for a first-time director. The fights are well executed, the characters are typical but still captivating, and the message is clear. The standout performance in this film belongs to Asanee Suwan, a real kickboxer making his acting debut. Despite being new to acting, he portrays the character's feminine side flawlessly, making him fantastic just like this movie. It's surprising to see the unwavering support Nong Toom receives from his family throughout his life journey.

Most films typically portray the disapproval and eventual disownment of the protagonist by their family when they engage in activities that go against societal norms. However, this film takes a different approach by showcasing the parents' relatable reactions when faced with an unexpected situation. Nong Toom's life remained secretive from an early age, as he had interests that differed from those of typical boys, such as makeup and spending time with girls. Nevertheless, what sets Nong apart is his genuine nature. When his family faced financial difficulties and legal trouble, Nong Toom, who was only seven or eight years old, started working to help them out.

That’s how Nong got into kickboxing - to support himself and his family. He initially hid his true feelings, but they were discovered by his trainer. Nong

then started wearing his makeup in the ring, causing controversy and being ridiculed for being authentic. Despite the backlash, he was a formidable fighter, defeating his opponents with force. However, it seemed that he didn't care about such achievements. His true focus was always on transitioning into a woman. When he started taking hormone pills, he was officially recognized as a woman and consequently prohibited from boxing.

During his visit to Japan, he engaged in a battle with a woman which led him to reflect on his own identity. Despite being genuine, the attention he received made it seem like he was pretending for publicity. Eventually, he reached the climax of the story by undergoing a sex change and achieving his long-awaited goal unintentionally. Although he had no intention of fighting or causing harm, he unknowingly accomplished what was necessary. In conclusion, while I acknowledge that the film could have benefited from better editing, considering it was the director's first attempt, it successfully delivers impactful moments throughout. Notably, there are scenes featuring an enigmatic woman whose true identity remains undisclosed until the final sequences.

This woman represented Toom's ideal personality, the person he aspired to be. However, we also discover that even when he transitions into a woman, Toom does not want to lose his masculine side. There is a particular scene that encompasses all aspects of his identity, from his childhood to the woman he has become. The film is visually well-executed, although some scenes could have been improved. Nevertheless, the kickboxing scenes were impressive and conveyed a sense of brutality. There were even moments that evoked a sense of encouragement, such as when Toom's friend

reveals that his mother is terminally ill and urgently needs the money from the fight, prompting Toom to offer support.

It is later revealed that the protagonist's mother passed away a month before and he was deceiving Toom for money. The only scenes that were displeasing were the ones with English dialogue, which felt artificial. I really disliked the American actor who portrayed the reporter. This narrative follows Toom as he discovers his true self through a sequence of events. Despite his aspiration to become a woman, it was essential for him to be a man in order to obtain the necessary funds for his surgery. Asanee Suwan is flawlessly chosen for this role.

Imagine the feeling of not taking action at first and then ultimately becoming the owner of a film, for which you will eventually receive the best actor award. The actor's simplistic approach to the character was essential for the success of the film. It is evident that he displayed true dedication to this story, spending nearly a year making the character come to life. Among the various characters in the film, very few truly stood out; most were quite typical. There was another transsexual character who appeared somewhat forced, leaving uncertainty as to whether it was authentic or not. Nonetheless, Suwan's performance is what truly drives this film; without him, I doubt it could have achieved such excellence. Presently, Toom is a model/actress.

The decision made was clearly worth it and the message is simple: be true to yourself. The movie showcases this idea by depicting Toom's determination in facing and confronting his problems directly. Although it may not be the greatest film ever

created, it provides a refreshing contrast to the constant acclaim given to Tony Jaa films from Thailand. It is reassuring to know that they can produce movies that are truly worth the price of admission. What I gained from this film was a sense of destiny and perseverance; it shows that even actions deemed wrong by others can serve a purpose and help individuals achieve goals that initially seemed impossible.

It is regrettable that Beautiful Boxer has been out for two years without the appropriate recognition it deserved. The storyline is simple, and the underlying message is equally straightforward. Asanee Suwan's portrayal is outstanding, and I look forward to seeing him in future movies (this being his sole appearance thus far) as he exhibits immense potential. This film truly impressed me and I eagerly anticipate more projects from the director. Typically, this genre isn't my preference, but I thoroughly relished it. Sadly, this exceptional film did not attain the worldwide acclaim it rightfully should have.