Post by mikef6 on Mar 8, 2019 22:39:11 GMT
2018 gave us two BOATS (based on a true story) films about historical women writers that sent me to Wikipedia as soon as I got home. Both are a little dry and drag a bit in the middle. Both leave a lot of history out of the women’s lives, but reading about them was very interesting.
Mary Shelley / Haifaa Al-Mansour. This true story of the author of “Frankenstein” - Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (1979-1851) - demonstrates the top notch set design and costuming that has become the standard in period pictures. Other than that it is a by-the-numbers bio-pic and something of a snooze until the final quarter. Once her story arrives at the actual writing of her famous novel, interest picks up a little even though there is a contrived ending where Mary, who was forced to issue the first printing of “Frankenstein” anonymously because of her gender, is finally acknowledged as the only author. There is some needed liveliness to the middle part of the film when Tom Sturridge as Lord Byron appears.
Colette / Wash Westmoreland. This biopic of the famous French author is distinguished by a fine performance by Keira Knightley. Knightly expertly takes us through Colette’s growing idea of independence and the need for acknowledgment of her achievements (her husband’s name was on her first successful books). This was a better movie than I thought it would be, thanks to Keira.
A speaking of women as a subject of a bio-pic in 2018, let’s not pass on the acclaimed and awarded “The Favourite” with historical characters most Americans have never heard of.
Mary Shelley / Haifaa Al-Mansour. This true story of the author of “Frankenstein” - Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (1979-1851) - demonstrates the top notch set design and costuming that has become the standard in period pictures. Other than that it is a by-the-numbers bio-pic and something of a snooze until the final quarter. Once her story arrives at the actual writing of her famous novel, interest picks up a little even though there is a contrived ending where Mary, who was forced to issue the first printing of “Frankenstein” anonymously because of her gender, is finally acknowledged as the only author. There is some needed liveliness to the middle part of the film when Tom Sturridge as Lord Byron appears.
Colette / Wash Westmoreland. This biopic of the famous French author is distinguished by a fine performance by Keira Knightley. Knightly expertly takes us through Colette’s growing idea of independence and the need for acknowledgment of her achievements (her husband’s name was on her first successful books). This was a better movie than I thought it would be, thanks to Keira.
A speaking of women as a subject of a bio-pic in 2018, let’s not pass on the acclaimed and awarded “The Favourite” with historical characters most Americans have never heard of.