Review of Belle (2013) by David T — 18 Jun 2014

Beautifully filmed, and enhanced to great amounts by the irresistible Gugu Mbatha-Raw and the impressive Tom Wilkinson, but often too unfocused. The film's attempt to include both the social and societal commentaries and iconoclasms with the romantic, sappy love story is admirable, but ultimately misguided and unsuccessful.

This misstep does not sully the impact of the film, however, and Belle certainly ranks as one of the best period films of the last few years, by far.