Search - The Iron Ladies on DVD

Soft and Hard all in one!

Yi Chieh | Singapore | 11/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Note that this is a Thailand produced movie so don't be shock if you hear the dialogue is in Thai. There maybe voice over in English or in Thai with English Subtitles (I highly recommend the latter... it's more fun & authentic).Based on a true story in Thailand about how a group of Queens, Gays and Transversites who love volleyball but have never been able to play the game at National Level due to their sexual orientation.When the Lampung Volleyball Team was looking to form a new team and also seek new recurits beacause the new lady coach wants a fresh start. These "gals" went head on to apply and got into the state team with the help and blessing of this new coach who based the selection solely on the players' skills and nothing else.Naturally, this group (called the Iron Ladies) created a wave and caused quite a stir; Not just because they of what they are BUT they eventaully made it to the National Games (The hightest honour in Thailand) and did well. I won't leak out the ending here.It goes to show though these queers may be laugh upon by some but most Thais do show their support and tolerance for them. There are lots of hysterical moments and great punch lines.Just get it, watch it... and chances are, you'll keep falling off your chair with laughter."

A hilarious and touching romp, and it is a true story!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"IRON LADIES is a terrific little movie from Thailand that is based on a true story of a Volleyball team comprised of a group of irresistible characters who range from heterosexual, transgender, gay, and drag queens. Assembled by a new coach chosen to propel a losing team to the country volleyball championship, the antics involve the miscegenation of this varied group into a winning format under the umbrella of a team name 'Iron Ladies'. The over-the-top antics of the most flagrant of the drag queens serves to meld the other semi-closeted and straight members into a true team spirit, upholding the best values of good sportsmanship. As the Iron Ladies gain in winning their way to the finals, the expected parental concerns, gay bashing, and unrequited love stories intervene, but these all only serve to keep the wacky group real and grounded in humanity. This film is not unlike the wide appeal of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert', 'La Cage aux Folles', and 'The Fluffer' to mention only a few of the movies that stretch the audience's experience a bit. It is a genuinely sensitive, well produced, well acted film that deserves a wide audience who seek understanding of all social categories."

Incredible story and performance

Leslie | san francisco, CA US | 09/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful Thai film, based on a true story about an unusual men's volleyball team which won the national championships. The team is made up of gay and transsexual men, who are all played extremely well as strong, caring and determined atheletes, fighting homophobia and bigotry in the local institutions. The production quality is amazing for a low-budget film, and you really get a sense for the local culture. A interesting and thoughtful, yet fun and amusing film."

Has its shortcomings, but a nice story

Andy Orrock | Dallas, TX | 11/13/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Iron Ladies" - as others on these pages have well noted - has its shortcomings: the acting is far from top quality (the 'Coach Bee' character, notably, doesn't act so much as read lines); the sports sequences - for those of us now used to 'Seabiscuit,' 'Ali' or even 'Shaolin Soccer' quality material - is laughably amateurish; the script is trite; the film editing herky-jerky, etc., etc. And, no one is going to rush out and buy this soundtrack, for sure.

All well noted. But what "Iron Ladies" *does* have going for it is a good deal of heart and earnestness in telling what is, amazingly enough, a true story. Indeed, what seals the deal here in terms of having to check 'Ladies' out are the closing credits where - suddenly - we're shown newsreel clips of the 'Real Iron Ladies' squad and we suddenly realize:

a) It's all true (the essential elements of the story, at least).

b) There's a fairly jaw-dropping resemblance between these 'real' folks and their movie stand-ins (and it turns out Coach Bee may not have been such a bad actress after all, as a picture of the real Coach Bee elicted an 'Oh, My God!' from me and my wife).

c) No lie: this group could really play top-notch volleyball (evident in the clips)."