While it is certainly true that Aung San Suu Kyi has been, and indeed remains a great figurehead for Burma and their struggle for democracy, one wonders quite how, after watching this film, Besson managed to make it quite so long. This, in fact, is my main criticism. 'The Lady' is simply far too long, and, in addition to this, is on a downhill slope after the initial stunning 10 minutes or so of cinematography. This opening was exciting, moving, and perfect in almost every way, but from that point on, the film just deteriorated.
The use of music was excessive, and I found it intensely irritating when practically every shot of the military junta was accompanied by 'evil' music. This simply trivialised a matter which is still relevant today, and patronised the audience. Furthermore, the dialogue between the junta leaders was a bit clumsy, a bit stereotypical, and a little bit soft.
However, this was a film that had bits of brilliance. David Thewlis was masterful, and every bit of his heart and soul went into his performance. Michelle Yeoh was radiant, although she looked a little bit out of her depth every once in a while, when she let her character slip. It only happened a couple of times, but that is enough. Typically for Luc Besson, the shots were beautifully executed, and I particularly liked the splicing of footage into re-constructed events. All these things, however, did not come together well enough.
Perhaps the reason why this film doesn't hold together very well is that she has not finished yet. Aung San Suu Kyi's story is not over, and she has not yet succeeded in her aims. The film itself just did not have enough substance to work with, and in that respect, it can be of some credit to the director that he made an unrealistic project into a passable film.
The use of music was excessive, and I found it intensely irritating when practically every shot of the military junta was accompanied by 'evil' music. This simply trivialised a matter which is still relevant today, and patronised the audience. Furthermore, the dialogue between the junta leaders was a bit clumsy, a bit stereotypical, and a little bit soft.
However, this was a film that had bits of brilliance. David Thewlis was masterful, and every bit of his heart and soul went into his performance. Michelle Yeoh was radiant, although she looked a little bit out of her depth every once in a while, when she let her character slip. It only happened a couple of times, but that is enough. Typically for Luc Besson, the shots were beautifully executed, and I particularly liked the splicing of footage into re-constructed events. All these things, however, did not come together well enough.
Perhaps the reason why this film doesn't hold together very well is that she has not finished yet. Aung San Suu Kyi's story is not over, and she has not yet succeeded in her aims. The film itself just did not have enough substance to work with, and in that respect, it can be of some credit to the director that he made an unrealistic project into a passable film.