Beyond Rangoon (1995)

It's not a surprise that it's a movie from the 90s simply because actually there aren't no more American movie like this : a movie that puts a common (not famous) woman in the spotlight, that supports (civil) war victims, that denounces violence and that have no gratuitous sex ! As it happens in Burma, the movie is great for exotic vacations and really transcendent with Buddhism spirit : joy is only temporary and above all, violence isn't the answer for violence : like the old professor says, if we kill our enemies because they kill us, we become like them ! It's so true that everybody forgets it today like welcoming refugees ! The movie also really gets me because i'm writing a world tour novel and it happens i'm in Burma now after getting out Thailand (the reverse of the movie) : so i know the Karen and the desolated, poor way of life: outside the few cities, it's the jungle and the huts, with indeed checkpoints and corrupted soldiers, and for sure Buddhas everywhere ! Patricia may be a shy, quiet girl but she is very courageous to act in those conditions and she shows a strong spirit and find her own illumination! Her old friend is amazing and embodies all the oriental wisdom ! For a movie i watched to check Frances filmography, she ended here as a nice bonus !

I am very surprised to see the good ratings for this movie.I watched the film 9 years ago and I still remember how angry I felt to sit in the movie theatre and to look at this mess. I am a big fan of John Boorman's work. I really like his movies. So I went to "Beyond Rangoon" with big expectations. But I felt like watching a dumb, cheap Chuck Norris jungle movie with all action scenes cut out. Even the soundtrack was very annoying.I can't believe that John Boorman was the director because this movie was so badly done. I think the Burmese people deserve better films to illustrate their struggle.

An incredible and precise depiction of the post 1988 era in the less known country of Burma.I was appalled by the ferocity of the military regime and astonished by the courage of one woman, Aung San Su Kyi, a noble peace price laureate (1991), who stood up bravely in front of the pointed rifles for what she believes in. Although the scenes can not cover the entire brutalities, such as using rape as a weapon, carried out by the regime, the film indeed portrays the events with a moving plot; Patricia Arquette, a tourist in Burma, witnesses the inspiration of Burmese students who are willing to sacrifice for freedom.Turning this VHS into DVD would be helpful in letting the world glimpse at the human rights conditions in Burma. Thank you!

I first was made aware of this film when I saw a preview before another movie. I was intrigued but it didn't get to see it before it's short run in theaters was done.It is not an easy movie to watch multiple times. There is much violence inflicted upon unarmed civilians. There are lessons to be learned here. One of Patricia Arquette's lines sums up on. "To Americans if it didn't happen on TV it just didn't happen" There is a lot of truth to that.Another is that at one point she thinks that just because she announces she is an American Citizen that soldiers will part and let her pass. It doesn't work that way.The scenery is beautiful. The acting is all decent. THE PROFESSOR is especially good. Mainly though I care about these characters. Francis McDormand and Spaulding Gray are fine but their appearance is short, so they don't matter much. Patricia has guts. In the hands of a lesser actor this could have turned out very badly. As it is love or hate the movie you should still come away with the idea that there still exist military dictatorships in the world in this century, and until one of our own is hurt we ignore their oppression.Aung San Suu Kyi, is the female political leader in the movie. In real life she won the Nobel Peace Prize. She was only recently released from house arrest. The W. Bush administration, as of the date I write this, is attempting to pressure the military government to engage in talks with her and re-form the government. The Burmize government was under such scrutiny that is changed the name of the country to the Maynamar Republic. The U.S. Government has yet to recognzie the new name.If you don't wnat a message in your movie don't watch this one. If you don't mind a little educations with your entertainment then it's a fine one.