Belle (2013)

It's hard to look at films about slavery in the same way after the relentless physicality of 12 Years a Slave, especially when they're presented as costume dramas like Belle. Fortunately for us, it manages to tell its unique tale with enough conviction and passion to step out of 12 Years's shadow.The year is 1765. The four year-old Dido Belle is the daughter of an African slave and a British Royal Navy officer. After her mother dies, he entrusts her to his uncle, William Murray, the Lord Chief Justice, and his wife. Although he's hesitant, he agrees. Dido finds a companion in William's niece, Elizabeth and together they experience a happy childhood, free from the nasty truths regarding racial relations. Yet, in her gut, Dido always felt something was amiss, as when she noticed Negroes in paintings were always positioned in such a way as to seem insubordinate to whites. She grows up and marital possibilities are considered. The Ashford family contain suitable candidates for Dido and Elizabeth, but there's also John Davinier, a vicar's son who's William's apprentice. He learns of an incident where a group of slaves were thrown overboard for the sake of the ship. It's to go to trial, a trial considered to be a crucial step in abolishing slavery.After the emotional punishment viewers received at the hand of 12 Years's brutal treatment of slavery, Belle seems tame by comparison. Combining slavery with the costume drama genre the Academy loves so much screams 'award bait' at first glance. Yet, if anything, Belle is not tame. Clichéd occasionally, but never tame. In fact, it's the ever-growing emotional intensity of Dido coming to realize the truth about the world and her place in it that form much of the film's core. The script is key in this regard. It's jam-packed--perhaps too much so--with impressive scenes where characters opinionate with the kind of clarity only film can provide.As for the acting, much of the praise deserves to go to newcomer Gugu Mbatha-Raw who's very persuasive as Dido. The more Dido becomes aware of her societal position and that she has to take action, the better her acting gets.Naturally, since this is a film based on history, there's the question of how much of it is actually based on history. Apparently, Dido wasn't very much involved with the case of the slaves who were thrown overboard. The film suggests her bond with William Murray contributed to his eventual ruling in that case, but apparently, he only called for another hearing where new evidence would have to be presented. Even so, the film's intertwining of both Dido and the case makes sense, because it provides a buildup of tension and emotional release for Dido.It takes a while for Belle to get going, but once it does, it's pretty involving. Although it lacks the raw intensity of 12 Years a Slave, the intensity is definitely there, particularly during the scenes where Dido confronts others. Not a groundbreaking film, but definitely worth a watch.

I have to say, this film is one of my favorite's ever! It really gave us the feeling of how racism and slavery was involved so much in the 1800's but to be honest, it's still worse today. It has never changed and unfortunately never will until we hit the ground...Gugu Mbatha-Raw looked so beautiful like the real elegant Dido Elizabeth Belle. She reminds me as Kerry Washington doing a British accent. Seriously I thought she was Kerry Washington throughout the movie until I saw Gugu's name appear in the end credits.I loved in the film that they showed Captain Sir John Lindsay and Lady Dido's relationships growing stronger and stronger every time they see each other. I was so annoyed she accepted her engagement with Oliver Ashford as he just wasn't right for her and plus, he hasn't got a respectable family. Also he has a messed up brother who wouldn't shut his mouth! It was so good to see Tom Felton after the Harry Potter years because really, he needed a break from being known as Draco Malfoy.I'm glad to have seen this film. 9/10

The story of Belle has been filmed before (though I haven't either read into the actual story/painting nor have I watched any of the other movies made about Belle), but this seems to be a good place to start. Maybe it can be the only one to watch. You have to like period movies in general obviously too.Racism seems far away (or seemed before a couple of incident of late) in 2015. But it wasn't that unlikely in the period the movie is playing, even though our main character might not understand all of it and still has some luck in that overall crazy situation. All of which is rounded up by an incident, that has consequences on relationships and impacts a lot of lives ...

I really have only one criticism regarding this film -- it's a little slow "out of the starting gate". But just when I got ready to yawn, the plot began to develop more interestingly, and I ended up watching it in one sitting (which I rarely do at home).The first strength of the film is the acting. With every film I see him in, I more and more come to the conclusion that Tom Wilkinson is one of today's very best actors; he never disappoints. Gugu Mbatha-Raw was impressive as the title character, although as my first experience with her, I'd want to see other examples of her acting before making any overall comment about her ability. We're not supposed to like Miranda Richardson's character, and I didn't, and I wasn't convinced in this one setting of her acting ability. On the other hand, Penelope Wilton -- as Lady Mary Murray (film wife of Wilkinson) was wonderful. I was impressed with Sam Reid as the fiery minister who opposes slavery and eventually wins the hand of Belle -- John Davinier. It was interesting to realize that Tom Felton (from the Harry Potter films) had an important -- though nasty -- role here; I kept wondering who is that...he seems familiar...only to realize who he was after looking it up. The other actors do their parts...they're fine...though without particular distinction.The second strength of the film is the story line...and there are two. The first, and it would seem the main story line, is of mulatto Belle who grows up in a White British world and how she adjusts to her role in life. That would be enough story for many films. But intertwined with it is the story of a slave ship that threw most of the slaves overboard. Was it for merely a profit motive? And there's where Belle's uncle (Wilkinson) comes in as England's head jurist who must decide the value of a slave. In coming to his conclusion he struggles with the law as it is (or may be interpreted), the value of a life, and his niece's romantic involvement with an anti-slavery minister. Again, it would be enough for one movie. But, the two story lines all fit together very nicely to form a complex story.The production is lush, the settings elaborate, and the costumes impressive.I was tempted to give the film and "8", but I reserve that for films that stand above Hollywood's (although this was a British picture) usual standards...and this does...although not quite over the line. So I give it a very strong "7".