The Iron Ladies

2001 "Sometimes Even Sportsmen Want To Be Ladies."
6.6| 1h44m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 19 January 2001 Released
Producted By: Tai Entertainment
Country: Thailand
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

Mon and Jung, play two gay transvestites, who had been constantly overlooked by volleyball coaches because of their appearance. However, when a local team changes coaches, the new coach holds tryouts for a new team. When Mon and Jung are selected, most of the old players resign, leaving the new coach, Coach Bee, in a sticky predicament.

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Reviews

NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!
Acensbart Excellent but underrated film
Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.
Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama
bob the moo When he fails to make the volleyball team Mon suspects it is because he is gay – a position not helped by the very loud presence of his drag queen boyfriend Jung. They sign up for the local state team and are good enough for new coach Bee to pick them alongside the usual tall, butch players. However captain Mann refuses to play with "fags" and quits the team – taking all the strongest players with him. Without a squad to draw from, Bee listens to Mon's suggestion that they rebuild the team from their friends – who mostly happen to be gay like them.With the sort of plot that you don't associate with the Thailand market, I thought this was worth a look despite the fact that I prefer Thai films with minimal dialogue simply because I find it a rather grating language to have to listen to for any length of time. Regardless I quite enjoyed it although you should know that it is neither as original nor as funny as some of the other reviewers seem to think it is. The plot is the usual "underdogs" sports story with the twist of the gay characters – the latter being the main thrust of the film as there is actually quite few "big game" moments on the way to the climax. Part of the problem for me is that most of the characters never went beyond the level of caricature and it was only one or two scenes where I felt the film had something interesting to say or show me. For the rest of it the queen clichés are enjoyable enough but did occasionally grate on me. The "to thine own self be true" stuff is OK but hardly that clever or different – par for the genre course really, all this film has done is put makeup on it to make it appear a bit fresher.In terms of laughs the film is amusing but rarely hilarious. This may be partly down to me not liking the queen stereotypes that much but I think it is mostly down to the material not being that strong. The cast are pretty good regardless and at least seem to be having fun but I think the lack of a "big game" moment might be something to do with the majority of them not actually being able to play. They help the comedy be consistent at least with their delivery and it is not their fault if the film rarely goes deeper than that.So an amusing genre film then but not a great deal more than that. The story and characters are serviceable without the beauty or touching stuff that the genre delivered in pieces such as Babe. Different enough to be worth a look but just don't expect it to be any different from American "be yourself" and "sports underdog" genre/cliché films just because it comes from Thailand.
Bifrostedflake I really enjoyed watching this unusual movie. A group of drag queens from Thaileand make up the bulk of a volleyball team. The film is great, it's comedy mixes perfectly with the real-life story. Definitely worth a watch.If you don't mind watching a film with subtitles The Iron Ladies is a great feel-good film. The highlight of which has to be the character Jung. Whose happy outlook on life just keeps you smiling throughout the film.Because the storyline follows a true life story there are few dull moments, if your ever stuck for something to watch, and you see a copy of this movie, get it, trust me, you won't be able to stop yourself from smiling.
preppy-3 True film about a volleyball team from Taiwan composed of gays, transvestites and transsexuals, who battled homophobia and hatred and won a championship. The film does advocate tolerance and (sometimes) shows homophobia is bad BUT those messages are buried under a ton of offensive material. The men playing gay characters all act VERY effeminite--too much so. They're all wearing makeup, screech and scream constantly (it's played so the audience will laugh at it) and are always preening and acting bitchy. Jokes are constantly made at their expense--THREE times we see one member go hysterical when he breaks his nails! Also three times we see his nails deflating balls (that's impossible but hey--anything for a joke). Also the film contained almost every gay verbal slur known--I almost walked out. As a gay man I found this film offensive and sickening. I'm giving it a 2 only because some of the guys were handsome, some of the acting was good and the climatic match was exciting. Otherwise, it's offensive trash.
bad apple It is amazing that this is a true story, as the structure is almost formulaic. I had the opportunity to quiz the director about the '7 Samurai'/'Golden Fleece' resemblance, he claimed that was the side of the story that required the least adjustment.Touching, moving, and funny. Iron ladies, squeezes every laugh out of the material without degrading the subject. The audience is drawn into the story. The film carries no definite style and this assists the progression. Flexibility is the key to it's success; flexibility of camera and performance, large when needed, subtle enough to maintain empathy.Above all else, it's fun to sit in a packed cinema with everyone laughing for the right reasons. I was entertained more than I had hoped.