Review of W.E. (2011) by Manny C — 11 May 2012
Oh Madonna I love you but step away from the movies please. We always knew Madonna was unsuited to be acting in films, but she's still trying her hand at directing, despite the disaster that was 2008's Filth and Wisdom.
Say this for her, she has real tenacity, but the film doesn't match it. W.E. is a frustratingly inert period drama, where the only thing that shines are the exquisite costumes. Not that the premise doesn't have something of an idea.
Madge and co-screenwriter Alek Keshishian (who directed Truth or Dare) tell the story of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough, giving some real heft to this tepid affair), the American socialite and divorcee who fell in love with King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy) which resulted in Edward abdicating his throne t marry her.
W.E. stands for Wallis and Edward. Thing is, Madonna doesn 't delve deeper into their romance than 2010's the King's Speech did. Instead, she adds something else: present day Manhattanite Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), who identifies with Wallis and so their stories are interlaced a la Julie and Julia.
Except here you often have no clue what the fuck is going on, nor will you care much. W.E. is a torturous disaster.
This review of W.E. (2011) was written by Manny C on 11 May 2012.
W.E. has generally received mixed reviews.
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