Thursday, May 29, 2014

MOVIE - Belle

PG (1:45)
Limited Release 5/2/2014
Viewed at ElCon with Sheila and Ronnie on 5/28/14
RT Critic: 84  Audience:  89
Cag:  5/Loved it
Directed by:  Amma Asante
Fox Searchlight

Actors: the lead has the enticing name Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Tom Felton (Malfoy!) 

My comments:  I wonder why they decided to title this movie "Belle?"  I guess DIDO might be a little .... off-putting?  Anyways, this was a wonderful movie, with an ending that was deliciously happy, so I bet some people would like the movie less.  It was based on a true story and took place somewhere around 1780 (80 years before the American Civil War) in England.  It was beautifully crafted in every way, from casting to setting to costume to thoughtful dialogue.  The man sitting beside me said this was the third time he'd seen it!  A GREAT was to learn a little history and be totally entertained at the same time.

Reviews;  BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode). Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from the traditions of noble social standing. While her cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) chases suitors for marriage, Belle is left on the sidelines wondering if she will ever find love. After meeting an idealistic young vicar's son bent on changing society, he and Belle help shape Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England. 

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