@ Anna and the King w& & * (out of 5) Directed by Andy Tennant. Starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun- Fat. Starts Friday at Park & Tilford Cinemas Julie Crawford Fitm Reviews ‘FHE temptation to spin out a good yarn has become too great for Hollywood filsomakers. What used to hit the cutting room floor now remains in the film, with mixed results. The Green Mile and The Messenger both exceeded 24 hours with limited effective- ness. Anna aad the King suf- fers the same fate. Tf not for an extrancous plot of treachery against the king and some unnecessary explosions, Ansa and the King would have been a con- cise, beautiful Alm. By now most people Park & Tilford Cineplex 200 — 333 Brooksbark, North Vancouver (985-3911) Anywhere But Here (PG) — Fri 7:15, 9:35 p.m. Sat-Tue 1:10, 3:40, 7:15, 9:35 p.m. Anna & the King (14A) — Fri 6:45, 9:40 p.m. Sat-Thu 12:45. 3:45, 6:45, 9:40 p.m. - Amserican Beauty (14A) — Fri 7, 9:30 p.m. Sat-Thu 42: 50, 3:20, 7, 9:30 p.m. Being John Malkovich (14A) — Fn 6:50, 9:25 p.m. Sat- . Thu 12:55, 3:35, $:50, 9:25 p.m. “Stuart Little (G)- — Fri 6:55, 9:15 p.m. Sat-Thu 12:35, 2:35, 4:35, 6:55, 9:15 p.m. - End of Days (18A) — Fi 7:5, 9: bee .m. Sat-Thu 12: 30; 3:28, 7:08, 9:50 p.m. “Mian on the Meon APG) —- ‘ Wed/Thu 1:10, 3:40, 7:10, * 9:45 p.m. Yo i] Esplanade 6 Cinemas _ 290 W- Esplanads, North». “Vancouver (983-2762) ‘The Green Mile —12: 20, $2 8:15 3 y Hol ow — ~ Fri- Tue ; 9:46 p.m. : Toys tory 2 — Eri-Tue 1:15, - 3:50 p.m. Wed Thu 1 45, 4:30, 7:20, 9:35 p.ra. a Deuces Bigal > — 1:30, 3:45, 7:30, 9:45 p.m. “Phe World Is Not Enough — 3, 4,7:10, 9:55 p.m. Any "Given Sunday . Wee/Thu 1:10, 220, 8:30 . Mi. ’ Bicentennial Man — 12:45, 4 16, 7,9:50 p.m. Bi Caprice Park Royal - West Vancouver (926-6699) - “. The Insider (214A) — 7:30 “p.m. “Double Jeopardy (4A) — 7:05 pan The Bone Collector (14A) — 7, 9:15 pm. Sixth Sense (144) — 9:10 p.m. ” (@ Fifth Avenue Cisemas 2110 Burrard at 5th, Vancouver (734-8700) . Cider House Rules (PG) —~ ug gestions —$Siiver ré “& Gold Jewellery; 1637 Lonsdale Ave-. N, Van. 84-6700 1c, W. 926 low Male Gigolo know the story of Englishwoman Anna Leonowens, who journeyed to Siam to be governess to King Mongkut’s 58 children. The story has been told before in 1946's Anna and the King of Siam and the well-known Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and 1. Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat may not waltz as gracefully as Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, but both are inspired casting choices. With Auna and the King 7, 9:35 p.m. plus Sat/Sun 1:30, 4:10 p.m. and Mon-Thu 4:10 p.m. The Green Mile (14A) — 7:30 p.m. plus Sat-Thu 4 p.m. Mansfield Park (PG) — 7:05, 9:25 p.m. plus Sat/Sun 2, 4:20 p.m. and Mon-Thu 4:20 p.m, Tumbleweeds (PG) —7:15, 9:20 p.m. plus Sat/Sun 1 40, 4:40 p.m. and Mon-Thu 4:40 p.m. (no 7:15, 9:20 p.m. show on Mon, Dec. 20) Being John Matkovick (14A) —~ 7:10, 9:36 p.m. plus Sat/Sun 1:50, 4:30 p.m. and Mon-Thu 4:30 p.m. Chow Yun-Fat traverses the gap between Hong Kong action flicks and mainstream North American cinema, He brings a zen-like serenity and regal stature to the role of King Mongkut. Foster mixes the right amount of phallocentric Western arrogance, tenacity and feminine vulnerability to the role of Anna Leonowens. When she first arrives in Siam, Anna says: “The ways of England are the ways of the world.” Anyone who has journeyed to the East even today will appreciate the Western prejudice thac we bring as baggage. Bur Anna slowly realizes that the King and his culture have as much to teach her as she has to teach them. If we are to take the jour- nals of Anna Leonowens as gospel, over time she and King Mongkut formed a strong friendship, then fell in love. “If love was a choice, who would ever choose such exquisite pain?” The forbid- & Park Theatre 3440 Cambie at 18th, Vancouver (870-2747) Sunshine (18A) — 7:36 p.m. plus Sat/Sun/Tue 3 p.ns. @ Holiywoed Theatre 3123 West Broadway, . Vancouver (738-3211) An Ideal Husband (PG) --- 7:20 p.m. My Life So Far (PG) — 9:20 p.m. @ Pacific Cisematheque 1131 Howe Sc., Vancouver den relationship berween one of the king’s concubines, Tuptim (Bai Ling), and her lover nicely parallels the for- bidden affections beoween Mongkut and Anna. The restrained, unrequit- ed passion between Anna and the monarch grows slowiy but is palpable by the film’s end. Director Andy Tennant (Ever After) presents Siam as 3 vast land of unpenetrated beauty, ruled by a court of amazing opulence. He is aided by production designer Luciana Arrighi (Hewards End, Remains of the Day) and costume designer Jenny Beavan (Remains of the Day, Sense ana Sensibility) both Oscar winners with a good knowledge of the period. Overail, the film does what it ought to da: despite majestic scenery and interest- ing history, only in the last half hour does it veer from its main focus, the story of the two would-be lovers. More ruthless editing would have rated she movie much higher. Shep online at your favourite local JODIE Foster (left) is Anna Lecnowens, the gov- erness who captured the heart of the king of Siam (Chow yun-Fat) in Anna and the King. rs stores... B.C.’s leading online shopping market. www.mycitymarket.com Se airen : Bik _ sauce. Served with our signature fries & creamy coleslaw. Fir dessert, enjoy our fudgy chocolate brownie topped with ice cream made with mini Oreo cookies, hor fudge drizzles & real whipped ercarm. om 99 Phas applicable taxes.