Belle (2013)

Takes itself way too seriously

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Belle is a pretty picture to look at, a chocolate box costume drama. Somewhere in its story of wanting to find the right husband in late 18th century society is a social drama of what it means to be a black person in Britain and the role of slavery in British society. Are slaves human are chattel?Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) was a real person. The mixed race, illegitimate daughter of a British naval officer and a black slave. Luckily for Belle, her father acknowledged his offspring after the death of her mother and he put her in the care of his family.Belle was raised reluctantly at first by her great uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) who was the Lord Chief Justice of England and his wife Lady Mansfield (Emily Watson.) They were also caring for Lady Elizabeth Murray, Belle's cousin (both Belle and Elizabeth feature in a painting that inspired the movie.) Both treated each other as sisters even though in the Mansfield household they were not entirely equal, as Dido would often eat dinner separately.Despite the Mansfields treating Belle as their own child they were well aware that her colour would affect her social standing and also harm her chances of a suitable proposal even though she would inherit her father's fortune.The film deals with Belle's role in society as she and Elizabeth go through social functions as Elizabeth seeks suitable suitors. However Lord Mansfield is also dealing with an important insurance case, the Zong case which dealt with the payout to ship owners who deliberately threw off slaves from the ship as there was a lack of enough water for the people in the boat.A vicar's son, John Davinier (Sam Reid) who plans to be a lawyer, takes an interest in the Zong case and the abolitionist movement. He believes that the slaves were thrown overboard and drowned because they carried infection due to their cramped conditions in the ship and thus worthless. Belle gets involved in the Zong case because of him. It seems Lord Mansfield's view of the case would be coloured because he raised Belle in his household since she was a child.Belle is an uneven blend of costume drama and social history. The part where both Belle and her cousin hope to marry into a bigoted aristocratic family rather gets in the way of the film which never truly engages you.

Amma Asante's movie is based on a true story which revolves around a painting from 1779 and events leading to what many saw as the beginning of the abolishment of the slave trade in England.Dido Elizabeth Belle (Mbatha-Raw) is the mixed race illegitimate daughter of a navy admiral who is brought over to England and raised by her great uncle the Earl of Mansfield (Wilkinson) the Lord Chief Justice. Her life within the immediate family is happy and settled and she becomes very close to other niece being looked after Elizabeth Murray (Gadon), but underlying racism and ignorance of the time exclude Belle from a certain social gatherings, leaving her to eat with the servants.When Belle inherits a fortune the dynamic between her and Elizabeth does change as all of sudden suiters for her hand now start to appear with her new found wealth. Belle however falls for John Davinier (Reid) son of a local clergyman, wanting to better himself in life and train as a lawyer under Lord Mansfield. His outspoken views on a case the Lord is ruling on which involves the slave trade.The period costume and setting are visually stunning but it is the performances that really catch the eye. Mbatha-Raw is a revelation, in every scene, bewilderment of living in such privilege but having to endure such prejudice. One scene in front of a mirror where she almost wants to tear her skin off carries such power in the simplicity of its execution. The support is excellent, Wilkinson gets better with time and while he carries all the authority, power and standing of an Earl of the time, he still shows vulnerability as a parent figure and also subtle humour in the role. Reid will also win many admirers for his turn as Davinier not just wide-eyed and idealistic he oozes underdog charm.This isn't just a film about racism, albeit taking part in a time where nowadays we really can not understand how deep rooted the ignorance of skin colour was. It also takes a close look at class and sexism, two forms of prejudice that still exist more greatly in the modern world and need just as much attention.

The content of the argument, the script ... have consistency from beginning to end: the principle of human dignity, of the convictions by free will, ethics, key complex personalities, complex characters, well placed at the time period, revolutionary tinted.Excellent performances. Excellent costumes, music, photography ... Good atmosphere with landscapes, architecture, medium of transportation, various decorations, taking social classes in consideration...A democratic and well management of social contradictions from different classes, but increasing in contents into the recognition of human dignity regardless of race, class ... Good Content, humanist ideology and justice as supreme values.I love movies of historic significance based in real facts for the betterment of society.(translated from Spanish with help of Google Translate and with some light corrections from my son, Carlos Sujou)

This is a fine film based on an amazing true story. It is hampered by a pallid lead performance and an over-emphasis on the (mostly fictional) romance between Belle and John Davenier.There is a standout performance by Sarah Gadon, as Dido's sister- cousin. Tom Felton, James Norton, and Miranda Richardson also provide much needed spark.Little is known about Dido Belle, most of our impressions is based on the famous painting. However, the film's characterization fails to convey the charm and playfulness of the woman in the portrait. Instead, the lead actress is left to make 'serious' faces with furrowed brows, watery eyes, and heavy corset-breathing.Oddly, it is the romantic lead which is the catalyst. John Davenier opens Dido's eyes to the iniquities of the slave trade and her status, which is historically inaccurate and a disservice to the real- life individuals. The film seems more concerned with the romantic life of the heroine than exploring the relationship between her and her family. Dido was an unusual woman, but so was her family. It was her relationship with her uncle and his historic decisions which abolished slavery in Britain that makes her story relevant. The writer does a good job though, of portraying all the inequalities of Britain. Dido may be hindered by her race, but her cousin and others are no less hindered by their poverty and gender. And the film does a good job of exploring the complexities and difficulties of Dido's relationship with society.