When I first saw the trailer for Belle a few months ago I couldn't wait to see it, I was caught in it's net way back then. And unlike some other films where the trailer looks fascinating but the movie falls flat, Belle lived up to and exceeded expectations. This is a film that could have turned Dido Belle Lindsay easily into a caricature, but instead those responsible delivered a beautiful film on every level, and one that made you think. The cast was exceptional starting with Gugu Mbatha-Raw who plays Belle. I knew she was a beautiful woman, I had no idea she was equally as talented and if her performance is overlooked then that would truly be a crime. Playing Dido's father, Captain Sir John Lindsay is the talented Matthew Goode who finds Dido living in the slums and takes her from one extreme to another as he delivers her to his aunt and uncle, Emily Watson and Tom Wilkinson who play Lady and Lord Mansfield respectively. They are already in the care of another niece, Dido's cousin Elizabeth Murray played by Sarah Gadon.
Rounding out the cast is Penelope Wilton as Lady Mary Murray, Miranda Richardson as Lady Ashford, James Norton as Oliver Ashford, Tom Felton as his older brother James Ashford, and Sam Reid as John Davinier. For those that are unaware of this remarkable true story, Dido has been brought to live with her aristocratic aunt and uncle, her uncle who is the supreme court justice and is considered to be the second most powerful man in England next to the King. As Dido grows her uncle is eventually faced with the case of the Zong slave ship, where 142 slaves were thrown overboard and drowned. The slavers wanted the insurance company to pay for their losses and had the courts ruled in the favor of the slavers, it would have been business as usual but evidence was revealed to show that the slavers lied and Lord Mansfield had to choose either to potentially cripple England's economy by ruling for the insurers or keep that economical slave engine running by ruling for the slavers. In the midst of that, there is an beautiful, and heartwarming love brewing between Dido and John Davinier, who wanted to become a lawyer himself.
The look and feel of Belle, the world created on the screen was immersive. You felt like you were there as the candles were snuffed out, the wooden floors creaked, and the gentlemen came calling for Elizabeth. No one came for Belle except one but she chose to break the engagement due to his family issues with her complexion. The cinematography by Ben Smithard was exceptional and the score by Rachel Portman was pure perfection. Belle was practically flawless, from the performances to the pace to the costumes and I highly recommend it, for it is the best film of the year...thus far. I'll see you at the theater.
www.markericentertainment.com
No comments:
Post a Comment