Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Belle 2013


Belle


     This movie is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle in Britian of the late 1800 and early 1900 centuries.  She was the mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Captain.  Sir John Lindsay brought young Belle to live with his great-uncle and his wife as his heir after the passing of her mother.  His family did take her in and they called her Dido but they were taken aback because of her illegitimacy and the fact her mother was of darker skin.  She has privileges because of the status of her father yet her skin prevents her full participation in the traditions of her social standing.  When her father passes away at sea, she is awarded a yearly allowance which makes her more eligible for marriage.   During the social coming out season for Dido and her cousin Elizabeth, this inheritance will attract young noblemen without money of their own.  Elizabeth will be more desirable for marriage but the man will need to have his own money since she has no allowance.
     Dido is appalled by the way she is forced into a double standard only due to her skin color.  A suitor interested in Elizabeth treats Dido abdominally.  He has his own money so he doesn’t need her allowance but his brother does.  How can she marry into a family with one of the members loathing the sight of her?  I was worried in the beginning that this film would get too bogged down in the traditions and customs of this time period.  It does begin to move away from this focus and gets better.  3* (This movie is OK)

104 min, Drama directed by Amma Asante with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Sarah Gadon, Miranda Richardson, James Norton, Tom Felton, Penelope Wilton, Alan McKenna.

Note:  Imdb 7.4 out of 10, 83% critic 83% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*.







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