Everyone knows that the story, as it is presented in the film, Anna & the King, is nothing more than sensationalised fiction. When the previews first began airing, I couldn't help but be sceptical of what the finished product would look like, being naturally leery of any Hollywood film that boasts of being based on a true story. A platonic love story between an English school teacher and an Asian king in Victorian times already seemed to be stretching the limits of my disbelief, and my suspicions were quickly confirmed.

Anyone who wants to take a closer look at the 'real' life of Anna Loenowens might want to check out this Thai Students Online site which contradicts just about everything presented by the filmmakers. It's really no surprise that the Thai film review board banned the film, citing it as historically inaccurate and insulting to the royal family.

The plot is fairly shallow, but the account that the script is based on does not lend itself to anything of substantial depth - one of this film's predecessors was, after all, a musical. There are good guys, and bad ones as well in the form of traitors to the Siamese court, and there is a lot of moralising praising both the 'excellent intentions' of Anna and those of the Siamese, from whom she should learn. There is music, manners and a liberal dose of action thrown in for those in the theatre that maybe don't like the odd period piece.

Nevertheless, despite all these quirks and foibles, Anna & the King still manages to be an entertaining little bit of filmmaking. Director Andy Tennant's (Ever After, Fools Rush In) mastery of the glossy, romantic atmosphere definitely motivates the overall look and feel of this movie. The sets are tremendously interesting and are a true feast for the eyes. So, while the historically minded may want to keep away from this one, the romantics in the audience are sure to get a good dose of what they came looking for.

Anna & the King is rated 14A and is currently playing at the Pacific and Centre Cinemas.