"Beautiful Boxer" is a poignant story (based on a true story!) of a Thai boy who struggles with his feelings that he is a woman, yet he engages into the ballsy sport of muaythai kickboxing in order to raise some money to support his family, and ultimately for his sex change operation. The movie begins with Nong in his childhood, showing us how he is fascinated with women and girls (but not in a sexual sense!). One night, he attends a city fair where there are muaythai kickboxing matches, whose violent bloodgoring fights turns Nong off as he heads off to the open-air theatre stall. There is capitivated by the performing beauty clad with traditional Thai costumes and heavy make-up. After the performance, he goes to the back to spy through a window and watches the performers put make-ups on themselves. A lipstick falls onto the floor and Nong takes it home.

At dinnertime, the family is waiting for Nong to come to the table, however they are surprised to see Nong wearing lipstick as well as some dresses. He makes a signing entrance, which makes the whole family snicker, except for the father, who obviously is not pleased with the spectacle. Later on, we see the family moving around the country in search of job, and Nong gets sent to the local monk school where he is expected to follow the right path to lessen any sufferings for his parents. Some circumstances have led Nong to skip monk school in order to work for money for his family. Ultimately, he is punished, as he is sent on a pilgrimage tour of the country with an old monk.

Later on, we see Nong grown up with his friends and one night, they happen to go to the local fair. Nong's brother had hoped to be in a kickboxing match that night, however Nong was selected instead. Although he lacked any muaythai training, he still wins the first match and a prize of 500 bahts. He then begins the journey into a muaythai kickboxing training camp, where he spends time to think about his desires. Although kickboxing turns him off big time, he trains hard in order to earn some money from the matches he win so that he could support his family. Incidentially, the wife of the trainer realises Nong's love for make-ups and such, and gently guides him into expressing his true desires, despite the jokes and jeers from Nong's kickboxing comrades.

Nong goes on through kickboxing, winning 22 consecutive matches. Nong's trainer decides one day, that Nong should be allowed to wear his make-up at the kickboxing ring, much to the chagrin of the Thai kickboxing world. The movie leads on the journey Nong goes as he struggles to finally become a woman.

Initially, when I had read the synopsis of the film, I didn't expect that it would turn out to be a good movie, however I was quite captiviated by the storyline. My opinion is that transsexuals and crossdressers are usually portrayed in a comic fashion in the movies, so it was nice to watch a "serious" movie about a transexual kickboxer, and to see how he struggles between the manly world of violence and gore, and being in touch with his feminine side. I give the movie 3 1/2 stars.