Film Reviews

The Iron Ladies

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Dirrector: Yongyoot Thongkongtoon.

Charming, if shoddily executed, comedy-drama about a Thai volleyball team, which is made up of homosexual men, and transsexuals and transvestites. Based on a true story (which took place in 1996), the story follows the team, The Iron Ladies (hence the title) and their struggle to be accepted by Thai society and taken seriously by rival teams. Since it was made on such a tight budget, there's little concession available for the usual dramatic nuances usually associated with sports movies. Instead Thongkongtoon attempts to focus on the series of relationships within this unconventional team and their (often difficult) personal lives. While the director makes no bones about going for every sentimental cliché he can, inexplicably, there's still something disarming and uttering endearing about The Iron Ladies. An enjoyable mess.

Review by Garreth Murphy