Greetings again from the darkness. Always a bit partial to films based on a true story, I would have to label this as one of those fictionalized historical period pieces. While it's a very attractive movie to look at, I was a bit frustrated at the multi-directional approach.
The movie could have focused on the relationship between cousins Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray. Or it could have zeroed in on the unusual complexities raised by the illegitimate mixed race Belle being raised in British Aristocracy. Still another option would have been digging into the historical impact of Zong massacre and the subsequent arguments, trials and appeals. Instead, we get a spoonful of each ... which leaves the viewer wanting more detail on all three topics.
The cast is very strong and features Tom Wilkinson as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Court ... he raises Belle at the request of his nephew (her father). Lord Mansfield's wife is played well by Emily Watson, and Sarah Gadon plays Belle's cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray. The two cousins are featured in the famous 1779 painting that inspired the story. Also featured are Miranda Richardson, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilson, James Norton, Sam Reid, and Tom Felton - who creates yet another despicable character to go with his Draco from the Harry Potter series.
Maybe the best term for this is historical melodrama, as the courtroom decision comes across as anti-climatic, with more third act attention paid to Belle's love interest (Mr. Reid). Very little is known of the actual Dido Elizabeth Belle, but it seems clear that her role in the Zong trial was dramatically enhanced for the purposes of the film. In fact, more drama may have played out for the film's writing credit between the film's director Amma Asante and the WGA. Though the director lost the writing credit, she can be proud enough of the final product.
The movie could have focused on the relationship between cousins Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray. Or it could have zeroed in on the unusual complexities raised by the illegitimate mixed race Belle being raised in British Aristocracy. Still another option would have been digging into the historical impact of Zong massacre and the subsequent arguments, trials and appeals. Instead, we get a spoonful of each ... which leaves the viewer wanting more detail on all three topics.
The cast is very strong and features Tom Wilkinson as Lord Chief Justice of the King's Court ... he raises Belle at the request of his nephew (her father). Lord Mansfield's wife is played well by Emily Watson, and Sarah Gadon plays Belle's cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray. The two cousins are featured in the famous 1779 painting that inspired the story. Also featured are Miranda Richardson, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilson, James Norton, Sam Reid, and Tom Felton - who creates yet another despicable character to go with his Draco from the Harry Potter series.
Maybe the best term for this is historical melodrama, as the courtroom decision comes across as anti-climatic, with more third act attention paid to Belle's love interest (Mr. Reid). Very little is known of the actual Dido Elizabeth Belle, but it seems clear that her role in the Zong trial was dramatically enhanced for the purposes of the film. In fact, more drama may have played out for the film's writing credit between the film's director Amma Asante and the WGA. Though the director lost the writing credit, she can be proud enough of the final product.