Beyond Rangoon

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Beyond Rangoon

R

1995

1h 40m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After the shocking murders of her husband and son, Laura Bowman (Patricia Arquette) travels to Burma with her sister, Andy (Frances McDormand), to find peace. There she witnesses protests against the government and the military's violent response. When Burma enters into military lockdown, Laura loses her passport and is unable to leave the country. A professor (U Aung Ko) helps her, but this makes her a target of the government as she attempts to reach the border and cross into Thailand.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 7, 2022

2/4

The movie artfully appeals to some of the more hypocritical parts of my liberal conscience and gives them a gentle workout, but it doesn’t really change anything–except the bank accounts of a few studio executives...

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Michael Sragow

The New Yorker

Feb 9, 2015

Arquette gives the kind of mighty physical performance usually delivered by men in existential action classics like "The Wages of Fear," but she suffuses it with something all her own-she's bulletproof yet vulnerable.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Aug 15, 2002

2/5

In attempting to make its politics palatable as entertainment, the film has grafted them onto a boatload of Hollywood implausibilities whose excesses cripple believability.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Feb 4, 2021

1.5/4

...earnest yet hopelessly underwhelming...

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Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

Dec 13, 2017

John Boorman's Beyond Rangoon is a humane and technically accomplished drama set in the viciously repressive world of contemporary Burma.

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Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Nov 25, 2007

85/100

Do artists, and those who style themselves as artists, have the right to lie to further their visions?

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Stephen F

@aprilia1k May 27, 2026

I am amazed at how rabidly the critics attacked this film. This is not the kind of movie that I go to, generally. I caught it on cable in the early 00's as I recall, but - I was completely floored. Patricia Arquette is amazing in this role. She and U Aung Ko together provide seriously powerhouse performances. I was completely surprised to find out the movie was mostly panned, and did not do well (at all) at the box-office. I completely agree with another review that states "Just about every beautiful scene in this movie is important; nothing is wasted here. It's an earnest and moving film.", and the score was very moving as well. It appears that the movie was quite polarizing - not many middle ratings. Either you loved it or you hated it, I guess. I loved it. I was engrossed, and found myself very enamored of Ms. Arquette. She really is a fantastic actress. If you are on the fence, I seriously suggest watching this movie. I'd give it a 9 at least.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 May 31, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $5,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Belo M

@BelloM Apr 7, 2025

Heartfelt film with intense performances

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Jan 4, 2022

A very intense and deeply moving film. One of my all time favorites

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Dec 31, 2020

It is a wonderful and inspirational story, watched it 20 years ago, and form this perspective it is great to see how the movie holds up against the historical accuracy or inaccuracy of inspirational leaders. It is a must watch and a mast read after reading the movie. Acting is good, storyline is nicely done and a nice view into an exotic countryside.

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george c

@RT94842395 Jun 1, 2019

An inspiring adventure based on a true story. Wonderful movie!

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John Boorman

Director

Patricia Arquette

Laura Bowman

Frances McDormand

Andy Bowman

Spalding Gray

Jeremy Watt

U Aung Ko

U Aung Ko

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Synopsis

After the shocking murders of her husband and son, Laura Bowman (Patricia Arquette) travels to Burma with her sister, Andy (Frances McDormand), to find peace. There she witnesses protests against the government and the military's violent response. When Burma enters into military lockdown, Laura loses her passport and is unable to leave the country. A professor (U Aung Ko) helps her, but this makes her a target of the government as she attempts to reach the border and cross into Thailand.

Director: John Boorman
Producer: Barry Spikings, Sean Ryerson, Eric Pleskow, John Boorman
Screenwriter: Alex Lasker, Bill Rubenstein
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 25, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.1M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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