The Lady (Blu-ray)

This may not be a masterpiece, but it is nonetheless riveting; as difficult to stop watching it as it is to take one's eyes off the charismatic Aung San Suu Kyi. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that this tiny woman, all of about 90 pounds, is at the same time so huge.Michelle Yeoh is outstanding (as are the other leads).As for releases:My first copy of this was from Canada (featuring French menu, and with a French voice track and subtitles, in addition to the English), but via Hong Kong. The English subtitles (which remain on screen even when the actors are speaking English) are atrocious. For that reason, though hesitant because of the price, I bought blu-ray copy of the "Cohen" release. The English subtitles are reworked, so are fine. And they aren't on screen when the dialog is in English.So if you enjoy the film, prefer accurate subtitles, and the price isn't too much of an obstacle, go for the "Cohen" release._____For those who've seen it, and if they had questions about her conversation with her son Kim while her husband is dying -- her saying, "try to understand," and, "my hands are tied" -- this, from her speech, "Freedom from Fear," illuminates, in which she is speaking of "a-gati" of Buddhist ethics:"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it. Most Burmese are familiar with the four a-gati, the four kinds of corruption. Chanda-gati, corruption induced by desire, is deviation from the right path in pursuit of bribes or for the sake of those one loves. Dosa-gati is taking the wrong path to spite those against whom one bears ill will, and moga-gati is aberration due to ignorance. But perhaps the worst of the four is bhaya-gati, for not only does bhaya, fear, stifle and slowly destroy all sense of right and wrong, it so often lies at the root of the other three kinds of corruption. Just as chanda-gati, when not the result of sheer avarice, can be caused by fear of want or fear of losing the goodwill of those one loves, so fear of being surpassed, humiliated or injured in some way can provide the impetus for ill will. And it would be difficult to dispel ignorance unless there is freedom to pursue the truth unfettered by fear. With so close a relationship between fear and corruption it is little wonder that in any society where fear is rife corruption in all forms becomes deeply entrenched."Specifically:"Chanda-gati, corruption induced by desire, is deviation from the right path in pursuit of bribes or for the sake of those one loves."And: ". . . . chanda-gati, when not the result of sheer avarice, can be caused by fear of want or fear of losing the goodwill of those one loves . . . ."I read somewhere a cryptic comment about her son/s being angry, apparently at her for not being there when their father died. I am assuming that conversation refers to that.

This film's great merit is its incredibly inspirational subject, a later-life biography of the luminous, internationally acclaimed democracy and peoples' rights activist, and Noble Peace Prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi.Like much of the world, I am a long-time admirer of Aung San Suu Kyi. I became familiar with this incredibly inspirational woman from just reading news articles about her in THE WASHINGTON POST. This film admirably fleshes out these biographical details, into an extremely compelling story about her late-life activist endeavors on behalf of the "Burmese" people, a role she did not seek. But she accepted this role, with unbelievable self-sacrifice on the part of herself and of her loving family.Aung San Suu Kyi's petite physical attractiveness and captivating yet disarming personal presence, suitably complements her humanistic character. The actress Michelle Yeoh is something of an Aung San Suu Kyi look-alike, and is a perfect choice to portray the attributes and accomplishments of Aung San Suu Kyi. Michelle Yeoh's charismatic performance of this role is outstanding.Maybe I love Aung San Suu Kyi because she always wears flowers in her hair - always. Remember the famous song lyric from the 1960s, "Be sure to wear flowers in your hair!"I was fortunate to view this film shortly before Aung San Suu Kyi made her triumphal visit to Europe in the summer of 2012, in part to receive a long delayed bestowal of her Nobel Peace Prize, and to hear parts of her acceptance speech.Aung San Suu Kyi's triumphal tour of Europe also physically exhausted her - there was simply not enough of this petite and forcibly secluded woman to satisfy the overwhelming emotional embrace and demands of many people, and many countries, who all seemed to want her for themselves. She even had the extremely rare honor of, I believe, a private citizen addressing the Parliament of the UK.To quote the Olympic Creed, because Aung San Suu Kyi has "endured the struggle," Aung San Suu Kyi "Has brought honor to us all."Watch this DVD, and see why.I will purchase a copy of this DVD for my 15-year old daughter, so she will know what a woman can do - particularly a woman in a repressive, patriarchal world.

I have the utmost adoration for this wonderful lady. If I could give her 5 stars in person, I would. She is worth her weight in 24 carrat gold (even if her countries government and losers don't think so). Michelle Yeoh does a wonderful portrayal of the lady in question.For what she has had to put up with in her life, she deserves the freedom she now has.A non democratic government, run by the money hungry military, can only be looked upon as a bunch of losers.Losers who have mistreated one of their own in the manner she has been treated, deserve no sympathy from anyone, any country or any government.We can all love her for who she is, for what she is, for the tragedies that she has faced and hopefully her government will stand by their word and let her be the wonderful woman she is....a person who loves her country and its people who suffer hardships because of the way of life they have been forced to live.

The story of Aung San Suu Kyi is one of the great struggles of out time and Michelle Yeoh takes the part quite brilliantly. The settings in Thailand are very well done and the murderous generals portrayed with great skill. I felt however that the role of her UK family were out of proportion to the business in Burma and rather over done. They were not easy roles to play and were as well acted as the script allowed, there was just too much of it and all a bit too emotional. I would have liked more on the political behind the scenes activities to put pressure on the generals which was rather skated over. The lack of optional subtitles for the hearing impaired is also to be regretted.

This is a great film. I missed it at the cinema when it was on general release and so was glad to be able to be able to buy the DVD. This is a true story and tells something of the suffering of the people of Burma under the harsh military junta who control the country. Aung San Suu Kyi is an extremely brave lady and this film depicts something of her life. If you believe in democracy and want to see Burma a free country this film will interest you and may persuade you to become actively involved in supporting the reasonable demands of the Burmese people to be free from oppression.

My lasting memory of this film is not just the Lady, but more the Lady's family. As a work of art it is worth five stars. Very well created and with many subtleties and touches and of course some wonderful acting. The terrible effects of military dictatorship are well presented with just the right amount of violent imagery to convey the seriousness. Equally as strong are the stresses and losses the family are forced to accept in the cause of principle and justice.

excellent film of Aung San Suu Kyi's fight for Burma's opening up and democratisation while kept apart from her dying husband. Closes the story short of her entry into the new parliament and subsequent activity but very fine performances from everyone in the cast. Well worth the time to watch and the money spent.