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Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Here we go again with another review of a musical. YAYYYYYY!!!!!!! This time around and coming in hot, we have the one, the only, the iconic the King and I! YAYYYYYY!! I have heard about this musical for years and never even gave it a chance. We all know the reasons why? I am not a big fan of musicals. If you have read any of my past reviews, you know that is starting to be a lie. I had to modify that statement with that I don’t like musicals that are straight songs. If I have dialogue, then I can hang. It is starting that if the musical has a great song and a great story, then I get hooked. Case in point: My Fair Lady, Oliver, West Side Story, and don’t get me started on those Disney cartoon films.
Here we go again with the King and I, and I absolutely thought this movie was great. Directed by Walter Lang and based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. That novel was based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became the schoolteacher for all the kids of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The film begins when widowed schoolteacher Anna Leonowens (Kerr) arrives in Bangkok from Wales with her young son Louis. She was summoned by King Mongkut (Brynner) to teach his many kids, getting a salary of 20 pounds per month along with a house. When Anna meets with the King, she becomes upset as she has to live in the Royal Palace. She threatens to leave, but upon the introduction of King Mongkut’s many children, she decides to stay. Anna and King Mongkut become friends and soon develop feelings for each other. Yet, the two are at odds with each other as both are headstrong, nor does Anna want to be part of King Mongkut’s harem. When the two have a major argument, the decision of whether to stay or go soon crosses each of their minds.
I want to start off by bowing down and giving the biggest and highest praise to Yul Brynner. I LOVED him in this role because he was a BOSS!! When homeboy walked in, he straight-up did the power pose throughout the whole film. What I think I found great about Brynner is that he seemed to have absolute fun in this role and act like the King. I found his line, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera,” special and unique because it added to the character. What I like about his character is that he ruled but was funny at the time. When he said that Anna should never be higher than him and should copy him, he played to it by lying down or sitting up. I am happy that Brynner won the Academy Award for Best Actor because he deserved it.
As for the story, I was pleasantly surprised. I always thought that it was going to be a boring ass musical with some princess or commoner striking up something with the King. I didn’t know what to expect. When I watched the film, I thought it was great because it had two forces almost butting heads. On one side was Anna, who came to the kingdom to teach but also had her very own house. When she didn’t get it, she was about to bounce. Her teaching was sweet as the King who wanted to bring Western knowledge to his kingdom. I don’t know if doing a skit on Uncle Tom was the best choice. Yet, Anna loved all the kids and will do anything for them.
The story with King Mongkut is pretty complex. He is a man who is stubborn and believes in ruling in one way. He becomes troubled over rumors that the British regard him as a barbaric leader and are sending a delegation. To counter all of this, he decides to accept a European delegation. He is also one who is proud of his many wives and children. He leads by example and leaves all the details to someone else.
As far as the music goes, it really was actually one of the weakest musicals I have seen. It doesn’t take away from the overall film because the other areas are so strong you can almost do without the music. Getting to Know You is the best-known song from the movie. It is a sweet song that someone to use after a few dates. Shall We Dance? Is another great song. It makes you want to dance and have a great time.
I want to give some major props to Deborah Kerr. She was a delight to watch as the lead actress. She was elegant, charming, beautiful, and a joy to watch. I don’t think she raised her voice once. She had great chemistry on screen with Yul Brynner. The way they played off each other was something special, and Kerr should be applauded for her performance.
The King and I are one of the best musicals I have seen, and I enjoyed every second of it. Yul Brynner is an absolute BOSS, and I could watch him power pose and tell people off daily. He is my new idol. Kerr was great as Anna and should also receive high praise. The story, music, and costumes are also great. I could go on and on, but as King Mongkut would say, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.”
