MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this Friday from director Josie Rourke and Focus Features is the story of a woman who would be more with MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Mary (Saoirse Ronan) is returning to Scotland from France after the death of her husband King Francis. Taking up her crown as Queen of Scotland, she is met by her half-brother James (James McArdle) the Earl of Moray who doesn’t seem pleased to see her.

He isn’t the only one as John Knox (David Tennant) makes it very clear that he isn’t about to change faiths to accommodate her. Mary makes it very clear that he his council is no longer welcome at her court. James tries to tell Mary that she has started something that could hurt her along the way.

The one thing Mary wants is to seal any breach with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Elizabeth is being told repeatedly by her advisor William Cecil (Guy Pearce) that Mary is a danger and only wants to take the throne. Trying to find a middle ground, Elizabeth suggests that Mary marry an Englishman and offers up her own lover Robert Dudley (Joe Alwyn). Mary has other plans and marries Lord Darnley (Jack Lowden).

Realizing she may have made a mistake, the only way to solidify her position is by having a child before Elizabeth. When she has a son, it changes her feelings and she shares with Elizabeth asking her to be the child’s godmother. Elizabeth believes that this may just be the tie that binds the two women.

Mary is having a difficult time as well when Darnley has no problem showing his disregard for her position as Queen. When her own council tries to take the throne, Darnley is talked into being part of the conspiracy. Intrigue continues to plague Mary as the men around her lay claim, force marriages and don’t understand the fierceness of the Queen.

Seeing one last hope, Mary asks to meet with her sister-cousin Elizabeth in hopes to get support in fighting back those who would take the Scottish throne. Although Elizabeth feels for her cousin, it becomes clear to Mary that she may be at the end of her reign.

Two queens who want the same thing in different ways.

Ronan as Mary is remarkable but then again she is a remarkable actress. The first movie I ever saw her in was the intense and emotionally draining film ATONEMENT followed by the equally intense film THE LOVELY BONES. Since then nothing has stopped her from honing her craft in every way possible and with characters that have obviously taught her more and more about choosing roles and defining who she is as an actress. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS is another example of why I will see every piece of filmmaking she is in – always. This is a character driven by a woman up against men who see her as a trophy to be one and then disguarded because she is, after all, only a woman. Well done Ronan, well done!

Robbie as Elizabeth doesn’t hesitate to put every little bit of her Queen out there – from her lovers, illness and inability to be told who to marry and what children to have. Robbie presents a strong force of a woman that shows moments of private struggle but when push comes to shove Robbie helps Elizabeth straightens her spine and her crown. The scene between the two queens is one of the most poignant and double-edged I have seen in a while on film.

McArdle as James is clearly a man who has been led by the nose at the hands of the council and happily so until Mary comes back. Then his little hurt feelings are put out for all to see and he wants justice for it all. McArdle is an actor on a mission and playing the role of a spurned brother isn’t easy. Lowden as Lord Darnley is just another man in Mary’s life that believes he is owed something at the cost of everything else. Tennant as Knox is a religious zealot who barks a good game hoping others will do the fighting for him.

Pearce as Cecil is a part of the pack on the other side of the pond who wants what he wants and thinks whispering in Elizabeth’s ear means he will get it. Alwyn as Dudley is a man who love Elizabeth the woman but takes orders from Elizabeth the Queen. Not easy being told to go be your enemy’s husband and Dudley is only saved by Mary’s hot headedness.

Other cast include Gemma Chan as Elizabeth Hardwick, Brendan Coyle as Matthew Stewart, Ian Hart as Lord Maitland, Adrian Lester as Lord Randolph, Maria-Victoria Dragus as Mary Fleming, Alex Beckett as Walter Mildmay, Ismael Cordova as David Rizzio and Simon Russell as Robert Beale.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS is a film about two women in a man’s era fighting for their crowns. They should never have had to make that choice between the two of them but with so many men whispering in their ears, I don’t know how they lasted as long as they did with each other.

Mary clearly didn’t know what Elizabeth did and that is you practically have to give up being a woman to hold onto the throne. Clearly having more time to learn that lesson than Mary, Elizabeth wanted to embrace their sisterhood-of-crowns but hard headedness got in both of their ways.

The film is beautifully done and the costuming is breathtaking. I have a weakness for period piece films and when they are done as well as MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, well I can’t help but find no fault in it.

There have been other films that have touched on the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, and even a television show called Reign that gave viewers a glimpse of her life in France. MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS is a look at what happened once she left France and before the infamous and shocking red dress. From a young woman married to a French king to becoming a widow and returning queen of her own country – there is nothing about her life that is easy or without intrigue and betrayal.

In the end – bow to no one!

YOUTH Brings Honesty to This Life!

 

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray this week from director/writer Paolo Sorrentino and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes the beauty of YOUTH.

Best friends Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine) and Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel) are on vacation in the Swiss Alps. Staying at a resort Fred is a composer who is now retired and Mick is a filmmaker trying to create a visual masterpiece.

Daughter Lena Ballinger (Rachel Weisz) joins her father to drop news that her husband Julian has left her for a pop star. That doesn’t surprise Fred, nor does it surprise Mick who is Julian’s father! Being her father’s assistant keeps Lena busy but not busy enough to tell her father exactly how she is feeling about her upbringing and her life in general.

Fred has also been asked to perform for the Queen and to write a book for the French. Both of these he turns down demanding to be left alone hanging on to the feeling that he is retired. When cornered on why, Fred finally let’s loose his reasons which move his daughter greatly.

Actor Jimmy Tree (Paul Dano) is also there taking in the characters all around him. Jimmy is frustrated that people only remember his film playing a robot and wants to be known for more. He befriends Fred and tries to get him to share about himself.

Each person at the spa come to terms with their life, whether good or bad, trying to remember that there is always a future when you wake up every day.

Caine as Fred is absolutely stunning in this role. All the pain and sadness reside not only in what he says, but in those moments where he is alone remembering. Watching his personal story unfold was a combination of heartbreaking and heartwarming. Talk about the difficulties of emotional duality! Caine continues, even now, to surprise and delight me with every role he takes. There is nothing common or repetitive in his performances and in YOUTH he is breathtaking.

Keitel as Mick is a man working with a crew of writers to come up with a script that will show his ability to bring a great film to screen. It isn’t until he comes face to face with who he thinks will star in his film, Brenda Morel that he gets a punch in the verbal face with the reality of how he is seen in Hollywood. The scenes with Caine and their conversations are just a pure joy to watch.

Weisz as daughter Lena is going through her own life crisis when husband Julian seems to prefer the company of a young pop star. Dedicating her life to being her father’s assistant makes it difficult to deal with him about how this is all affecting her life. Weisz is still stunning in both performance and beauty.

Dano as Tree once again reaffirms that this actor brings so much to film that has yet to be noticed. The first performance I saw Dano in was LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE in 2006 and I not only have made sure to see his previous work but continue to follow everything he has done since. From THERE WILL BE BLOOD to PRISONERS to 12 YEARS A SLAVE, Dano delivers solid performances that, in my opinion, need much more recognition. I loved watching his performance of Jimmy Tree and although stunned during one scene I shouldn’t have been – he is a treasure.

Two characters of note: Jane Fonda as Brenda Morel has a scene with Harvey Keitel that just rattled my brain. She has the verbal strength of ten men when she takes on Mick Boyle straightening him out about who owes who. The other performance is that of Luna Mijovic as the Young Masseuse. I can’t even explain what drew me to be fascinated by her but then again perhaps that was the point. She is amazing.

Other cast include: Ian Attard as the 1^st Queens Emissary, Adam Smith as the 2^nd Queens Emissary, Madalina Diana Ghenea as Miss Universe, Nate Dern as Funny Screenwriter, Alex Beckett as Bearded Screenwriter, Mark Gessner as Shy Screenwriter, Tom Lipinski as Screenwriter in Love, Chloe Pirrie as Girl Screenwriter, Luna Zimic Mijovic as the Masseuse and Jane Fonda as Brenda Morel.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is amazing to once again bring just what fans want for their home library. Continually bringing new entertainment content for everyone’s media library, their format includes DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. To discover more of what they have to offer please visit www.foxconnect.com.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give YOUTH four and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. Not only are these performances that awards are made of but stunningly portrayed. Receiving an Academy Award Nomination is not a surprise to me what so ever.

The cinematography is ethereal, stunning, and absolutely beautiful and has a day dream quality to it that completely melds with the storyline. It is the performances of Caine, Keitel, Weisz and Dano who are not only a joy to watch but are captivating in the characters they portray.

YOUTH garnered Jane Fonda a Golden Globe nomination. David Lang’s music composition of “Simple Song” also received a Golden Globe nomination as well as a nomination for an Academy Award.

The Bluray includes the Special Features of: Featurette of Michael Caine, Featurette of Paolo Sorrentino, Featurette of the cast, Featurette of the cast, music and sound, The Essence of Youth, 24-image gallery and Theatrical trailer.

In the end – youth isn’t wasted on anyone!