Review of W.E. (2011) by Will D — 11 Jun 2018
A sweet tale.
And thus the critical savaging this film endured is indeed perplexing.
The film is pretty cool, and intellectually rewarding. It focuses on the Wallis-Edward story from Wallis' point of view and it's juxtaposition against Abby Cornish's character's life in 1998, when she engages (profoundly!) with the display and sale of Wallis possessions at Sotheby's. Through her connection with these things, and the flashbacks to Wallis' and Edward's lives, Abby learns how she is actually deeply unfulfilled in her married life, but through the depth of the love and difficulties suffered by Wallis and Edward.
As Wallis and Edward's romance develops, her own with a security guard at Sothebys blossoms.The acting is great and subtile by all four leads, especially Riseborough. I think Madonna's direction is classic, almost like a music video with its pace and sharp close ups.
A slight critique could be levelled at the unbelievable hockey moments like the cheering in the auction hall and calling the King of the United Kingdom, the King of England, was for me a little grating.
There is also a charming nod to the Diana and Dodi relationship, when Abby travels to Paris to research Wallis further.
I really enjoyed this film.
It is a shame that this film was treated so purely by the critics, as people will have been deprived of a warm pleasant story.
This review of W.E. (2011) was written by Will D on 11 Jun 2018.
W.E. has generally received mixed reviews.
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