The film opens in Burma, 1947, when Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) was a little girl, and her father, a national champion of political freedom, was brutally assassinated by the military. Years later the story sweeps to England, 1988, the young girl now grown, and the wife of a prominent Professor from Oxford, Michael Aris (David Thewlis) where they raises their two young sons on Park Town [ironically I had a townhouse at “number 16” one number across from their “number 15.” My neighborhood, my street, my townhouse! I watched them film. What are the chances?]
But when a situation forces Aung San Suu Kyi to return home to her native country still in the grip of violence and military rule, she finds that her people need her. Will Aung San pick up the pieces where her slain father left off, hoping to lead them into democracy? Thus a story of adventure, intrigue and determination envelopes us into Yeoh’s tour de force performance.
Directed by Luc Besson is usually known for such films as Taken and Transporters… while this story is far more elegant, it still weaves the thread of woman-in-crisis set against various cultures and landscapes. Set in Rangoon, it’s an emotionally heart-wrenching TRUE story that expands decades. The Lady feels like The Iron Lady and ironically the Burmese nicknamed her “Steel Orchid” as she sticks to her beliefs in a political agenda and the choice of country over family.
Yeoh brings to the screen an oddly non-explosive performance that somehow screams volumes despite her quiet and contained demeanor. She’s elegant, tortured, and you can feel her soul seep out onto the screen like a silent soldier. The government tries to tear her down – “A tree whose roots are cut off will eventually fall itself” but this Nobel Peace laureate’s decisions of marriage, motherhood, and military might surprise you. Three and a half tiaras