Mary Queen of Scots - Movie Review
Mary Queen of Scots
Plot: Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, Guy Pearce
Director: Josie Rourke
Certificate: 15 (strong violence, sex, sexual violence)
Runtime: 125 minutes
Release Date: Friday 18th January 2019
Historical films have the unfortunate potential to be commonly considered as dull, tiresome and boring and when in the wrong hands, take you back to school history lessons as you slump in your seat, head rested in your hands and slowly tick down the seconds until it's over. However, films of this genre also have the potential to be entertaining as well as informative so long as they find the right balance. Mary Queen of Scots, whilst at times getting bogged down with political conflict and more double crosses than an episode of EastEnders, is ultimately a powerful, poignant and thoroughly engrossing tale.
I could write an entire article about how Saoirse Ronan is one of the top actresses working today and never fails to give 110% in her performances but for the sake of this review, I'll leave it at that Mary Queen of Scots is HER movie. It's a brilliant showcase of the power and elegance that Ronan exudes balancing kindness and civility with an underlying sense of authority. She presents Mary as a queen that is able to see the light in amongst the darkness. The only slight downside to this depiction of Mary is the historical authenticity, as can be said about much of this film. Beau Willimon's script takes plenty of historical liberties in order to take the film out of a dull and dreary context and whilst some historians may find that off-putting, there's no denying that it helps the flow of the narrative. Mary Queen of Scots follows the story of Mary Stuart who, after being widowed at the age of eighteen, returns to Scotland to claim her rightful position as the Scottish monarch as well as fighting against prejudice from all corners to also cement herself as the sole successor to England's throne. The majority of the supporting players in the busy ensemble are on fine form. David Tennant is wonderfully despicable as the horrendously sexist John Knox as is the eerily controlling Guy Pearce. What Mary Queen of Scots depicts so well is the manipulation and puppet controlling abilities by the men in Mary and Elizabeth's lives. Even their supposed lovers and confidants are presented with darker, ulterior motives leaving two monarchs that were typically revered as controlling, conniving rulers, as desperate and afraid human beings.
Plot: Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, Guy Pearce
Director: Josie Rourke
Certificate: 15 (strong violence, sex, sexual violence)
Runtime: 125 minutes
Release Date: Friday 18th January 2019
Historical films have the unfortunate potential to be commonly considered as dull, tiresome and boring and when in the wrong hands, take you back to school history lessons as you slump in your seat, head rested in your hands and slowly tick down the seconds until it's over. However, films of this genre also have the potential to be entertaining as well as informative so long as they find the right balance. Mary Queen of Scots, whilst at times getting bogged down with political conflict and more double crosses than an episode of EastEnders, is ultimately a powerful, poignant and thoroughly engrossing tale.
I could write an entire article about how Saoirse Ronan is one of the top actresses working today and never fails to give 110% in her performances but for the sake of this review, I'll leave it at that Mary Queen of Scots is HER movie. It's a brilliant showcase of the power and elegance that Ronan exudes balancing kindness and civility with an underlying sense of authority. She presents Mary as a queen that is able to see the light in amongst the darkness. The only slight downside to this depiction of Mary is the historical authenticity, as can be said about much of this film. Beau Willimon's script takes plenty of historical liberties in order to take the film out of a dull and dreary context and whilst some historians may find that off-putting, there's no denying that it helps the flow of the narrative. Mary Queen of Scots follows the story of Mary Stuart who, after being widowed at the age of eighteen, returns to Scotland to claim her rightful position as the Scottish monarch as well as fighting against prejudice from all corners to also cement herself as the sole successor to England's throne. The majority of the supporting players in the busy ensemble are on fine form. David Tennant is wonderfully despicable as the horrendously sexist John Knox as is the eerily controlling Guy Pearce. What Mary Queen of Scots depicts so well is the manipulation and puppet controlling abilities by the men in Mary and Elizabeth's lives. Even their supposed lovers and confidants are presented with darker, ulterior motives leaving two monarchs that were typically revered as controlling, conniving rulers, as desperate and afraid human beings.
Considering this is her first feature debut, Josie Rourke proves herself to be a filmmaker to watch. Her eye behind the camera captures the stunning Scottish highlands in all of their grandeur as well as the dimly lit, creaky corridors and lavish ballrooms in both palaces. From the costume design to Max Richter's grand score, Mary Queen of Scots, despite its very character centric story, has an epic feel to it. Sadly though, the film isn't perfect and does suffer from flaws. The first relates to the marketing of the film. Second to Ronan, this also doubles as a showstopping performance for Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth. Not only does she look the part, but she perfects the nuance and quiet inner turmoil that Elizabeth is experiencing from all corners of her world. Nearly every scene featuring Robbie, especially a magnificent confrontation between Ronan and herself, would be featured in a highlight reel but the truth is, Elizabeth doesn't feature as much as she should. Robbie's presence, whilst dominating, is brief and the all important meeting comes too little, too late. Understandably, this isn't her story to tell but considering how this film was advertised, her frequent absence is an overwhelming sore point. Then there's also the matter of time passage. Taking place over the course of a few decades, Mary Queen of Scots struggles in the presentation of this. Sudden time jumps aren't clearly depicted so it becomes a challenge to decipher how far along the action has moved.
Mary Queen of Scots may not have the factual integrity of some historical dramas and lose focus with the passing of time, but the film boasts outstanding lead performances and a remarkable debut for Rourke.
My Verdict: 7/10
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/LukeStapley26
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/stapleyluke/
Comments
Post a Comment