Belle (2013)

Too much of everything

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Awesome Movie

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

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.

This movie had an amazing storyline.. It was a beautiful story that all people should hear.. This movie showed me a piece of history that's not talked about, that I feel should be because not only did the actors make you feel what the movie was about they also made you think about what it was like back then.. This is a movie I will gladly recommend for others do watch.. I know once I have children this will be in he list of must sees that's just how much I loved itOver all this movie was hands down the best I've seen in my life... Officially my favorite movie... And I plan on naming my daughter after the beautiful and strong Dido Belle.. I know this review is all over the place but I didn't know how else to get 10 lines

I was recently looking up a list of slavery-related films off Wikipedia, and this fairly recent 2013 film showed up, and I had remembered adding it to my watch list on HBO GO, so thought I'd give it a go.This work of "historical fiction" is based on one particular painting, and what is known about it. Now the lead actress is a real cutey-p'tutey, and the cast is first-rate-->> Matthew Goode of the recent "Imitation Game", Tom Wilkinson, etc.. But the overall movie itself TBH was just kinda boring. The production values are first-rate, as are the performances, but the movie never really "takes off" to any great degree. I'm on the fence on this one...

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.