A Royal Night Out (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 97 minutes
Director: Julian Jarrold
Writer: Trevor De Silva and Kevin Hood
Cast: Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Emily Watson, Rupert Everette, Jack Reynor

A Royal Night Out will open in Australian cinemas on May 14 and will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. To open in the UK and Ireland on May 15.

Tremendous fun and wonderfully nostalgic, A Royal Night Out champions it's way to finding a terrific balance where it is respectful to those it portrays in the film as well as being charming and hilarious. In Buckingham Palace on V.E. Day 1945, the heir to the throne, Princess Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and her sister Princess Margaret (Bel Powley) watch with envy as London celebrates long-awaited peace with the end of World War II. The two finally convince their reluctant parents, King George VI (Rupert Everett) and Queen Elizabeth (Emily Watson) to allow them one night out on the town without the fanfare that typically follows them everywhere they go. What follows is a night of many adventures that neither of the princesses will ever forget.

A Royal Night Out is a thoroughly enjoyable and very easy watch. While there is not a great deal of story, it is well and truly forgiven as a result of how much fun it truly is. The spots that the princesses find themselves in are a tad predictable, but as they are played out by such strong characters and reasonably original (as one has never seen the two princesses on screen in these situations before) it is accepted and enjoyed. What is so remarkable about the film and what director, Julian Jarrold and writers, Trevor De Silva and Kevin Hood should be commended for, is that it is fun and hilarious without being disrespectful to those involved. One can laugh at the misfortunes of Princess Elizabeth and the carefree and party girl edge that Princess Margaret possesses without feeling even a little bit guilty, which is good news for royalists.

While what happens outside the palace walls in the film is fictional, it notion that the princesses were allowed outside to take part in London's peace celebrations is in fact true. In recent times, it is inconceivable how royal figures such as Prince William and Prince Harry could possibly not be noticed if they venture into the public (as has been seen thanks to the tabloids) as their images are so recognisable due to almost daily coverage on the television, in print and online and a more laid back attitude from their superiors to having them mix in society. In 1945, images of the princesses were seen more in print and it was unheard of for royalty to be socializing outside their class so the lack of recognition they receive is much more believable. One can only imagine that Queen Elizabeth II did in her younger years desire a moment of normality and it can be expected that many of the things she says in the film would not be far from the truth. Indeed, they are things that any member of the monarchy including those current younger members would desire and that is go wherever they want and be just another face in the crowd. Princess Margaret does also have similar notions, but when she states that this many be her only time to go out and have a good time, one cannot help but giggle knowing the party princess she was the earn the reputation of being in years to come.

The film is also a wonderful piece of nostalgia and a fitting tribute to that night of celebration in London that will make many wish they were right there, although the film ensures that it's audience feels as though they are. The costume design by Claire Anderson is truly exquisite and the production design by Laurence Dorman very impressive. The film itself is not an overall emotional experience, but there are some scenes which are in fact quite emotional due to the design and direction. In particular the first look at the celebrations in Trafalgar Square is breathtaking and the dancing scene at Chelsea Barracks radiates freedom and happiness. The soundtrack is also a great deal of fun and fitting of a joyous party in 1945.

The two lead roles of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret are ones that despite this being a comedy and slightly fictional come with extremely high expectations. It has been proven in the past that portrayals of royalty in film are very much hit or miss, but Sarah Gadon and Bel Powley do extremely well in the roles of the young princesses. Gadon personifies the young Queen Elizabeth II with the grace in which she carries herself and her desire to enjoy herself, but inbuilt inability to really let herself go. She is exceptionally strong in the role and has the presence that her character should on screen.

Bel Powley is an absolute riot and hilarious as Princess Margaret. Playing the 14 year old princess, she still has a playful childish charm that is mixed with her wish to be older. Her charming naivety is used as a source of humour and is the cause for many giggles throughout the film. Powley is an absolute delight. Emily Watson also does well and is the perfect embodiment of the regal mother. Rupert Everett is fine, but although he is regal in his approach, does not personify that particular king a great deal.

A Royal Night Out is a great deal of fun and wonderful tribute to the royal family and their sense of duty. A treat for royalists and a party film like no other.

7/10

Dracula Untold (2014)

 

Year: 2014
Running Time: 92 minutes
Director: Gary Shore
Writers: Bram Stoker (characters), Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (screenplay)
Cast: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, Art Parkinson, Diarmaid Murtagh

Dracula Untold will open in Australian cinemas on the 2nd of October 2014 and is distributed by Universal Pictures. Opening in the United Kingdom also on the 3rd of October and the United States on the 10th.

As a new retelling of Bram Stoker's famous creature of the undead, Dracula Untold is an atmospheric and entertaining hybrid of the historical picture and supernatural fantasy. However, unlike other films based on Dracula, it is not as much a horror film as a historical drama with moments of pure human emotion and captivating images from the Transylvanian dark ages. As an origins film, there is the guaranteed ending, but the screenplay by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless gives greater depth to the story which offers welcomed suspense and surprise to this untold story of Dracula.

Although Prince of Transylvania, Vlad Tepes (Luke Evans) has achieved long awaited peace for his country, the threat from the Turks and their leader, Mehmed (Dominic Cooper) is never far away. When Mehmed demands soldiers from Vlad's kingdom for his army, Vlad seeks the help of a supernatural evil in the mountains (Charles Dance) in order to protect his kingdom and save lives. This creature of the dark strikes a sinister deal with Vlad in which he will hold the same powers as he for a number of days in order to save his kingdom, but must not lose his self control or he will become what he is forever. However, Vlad will whatever he needs to do to save his people and protect his wife, Mirena (Sarah Gadon) and son, Ingeras (Art Parkinson).

Dracula is a phenomenon which society will never grow tired of. Gary Shore's retelling of the origins of the mythical creature is an original cinematic experience for the character in this snapshot of a small period in time in which Vlad the Impaler became his alter ego. Whilst the subject is one which the audience is well aware its outcome, there is still a degree of unpredictability in its story which is a welcomed surprise, though it's ending does tend to stroll into the not so unfamiliar territory of cliché. Dracula Untold aims to be as much of an epic motion picture event as it possibly can in a running time of 93 minutes, but evidently tries a little too hard too impress in particular battle scenes which make it seem a little more comical than intended.

Visually, Dracula Untold very much resembles a cross between The Lord of The Rings/ The Hobbit and Game of Thrones, but this is not something which will generally be acknowledged as a negative aspect of the film. For many this similarity will lie with the presence of actors from both of these franchises, but it is more the medieval battles scenes and royal thrones which will prompt this comparison. However, the film is wonderfully atmospheric and the time period is captured in it's intriguing atmosphere of beauty and dread. As a whole Dracula Untold is not surprisingly a dark film in mood and visuals. There are some exquisite landscape shots and incredible production design and art direction. The battle scenes are quite spectacular, if not a little over-exaggerated and shot in an erratic fashion.

Luke Evans is perfect for this role which shows a different side to Vlad/Dracula than is traditionally seen, which is that of a father, husband and leader as well as a monster. He is extremely enigmatic and believable as the man who has a dark side that he insists on hiding from those who love him. Evans has wonderful on screen chemistry with Sarah Gadon and Art Parkinson, who both are also very good and bring an emotional edge to the film. Gadon is right on cue with her show of passion for her husband and maternal instinct for her child, while Parkinson is a real stand out and performs with emotion beyond his years.

As a film which relies more on the historical side of the beginnings of Dracula rather than on the not uncommon horror aspect of his story, Dracula Untold opens this story up to a greater audience. The film is an original spin on a character who has been seen in film and television countless times over the years and allows cinema audiences to find out who was the man before the monster.

7/10

The Conspirator

The Conspirator

Year: 2010

Director: Robert Redford

Cast: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Kevin Kline, Justin Long, Alexis Bledel

In My Own Words

                I am not going to pretend here that I am an expert on American history because I am far from it. Growing up in Australia, American history is barely uttered in our high school education. I hate to say it, but the first American history lesson I got was by watching The Simpsons. Pop culture is great, isn’t it? Can’t say we don’t learn anything from it! The majority of my American history education comes from my trips to Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston, three great cities all with fascinating fragments of America’s history.

One of my friends lives in Washington, DC and certainly knows her US history, so she was the perfect person to have with me to show me the sights and the history behind each place. My favourite sight to see in Washington, DC is the Lincoln Memorial. This memorial is the perfect tribute to the man himself. The statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln is seated in the middle of the memorial as if he is looking back down the Mall towards the Capitol. However, there are some places you can stand in the memorial where it feels as though Lincoln has turned his head and is looking straight at you. The thing I love the most about this memorial is that Abe is larger than life and completely intimidating, just as I expect he was in real life.

One particular scene in The Conspirator which I found particularly haunting was the scene where they are taking Lincoln from the theater to the house across the street after he has been shot by John Wilkes Booth. This film was particularly well made, as it shows the chaos that followed after the assassination. Everybody was confused and distraught, yet wanted to catch a glimpse of their beloved president as he was carried out. The musical score supporting this scene completely enhanced the craziness of this scene as well. The most haunting part about it for me was the fact that I have been outside the Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot and inside the room in The Peterson House where he was pronounced dead. I had never actually pictured all the chaos which was part of that night when I was there, I just pictured a few men running across the road with the president in their arms. The chaos seems far more appropriate for the situation than a quiet night I had always pictured.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review

It has been awhile since we have seen a good American period film. Admittedly there are a few American historical films in the pipeline at the present time, but it can be said with confidence that The Conspirator will be one of the better ones you will see. Robert Redford has done a great job of bringing this part of American history alive, although there are several parts of the film he could have expanded on which would have taken The Conspirator from a very good film to an excellent film.

It is the 15^th of April 1865, the night which President Abraham Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth. However, everyone knows that one man shot the president, but he wasn’t the only one who orchestrated it. In the days following the assassination, the authorities go after the conspirators and arrest those suspected, including Mary Surratt (Robin Wright) who owns the boarding house which Booth and the other conspirators stayed at and conducted their meetings from. Young lawyer, Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) is given the job to represent her in her trial, whether he believes she is guilty or not. He is soon faced with the dilemma that Surratt seems to be accepting guilt in order to save her son who has disappeared and is also suspected, and that also of his reputation in Washington being tarnished.

The Conspirator above all is a great history lesson. The time period is represented beautifully in the way which 19^th century Washington, DC is recreated. The scenery is very impressive and you can really feel what it would be like to be in the city in the time following the Civil War. The way each scene is constructed is commendable as each scene means something and contributes towards the film as a whole. Each scene is informative, entertaining and gives you a piece of new information that you didn’t know in the last scene.

However, it does feel like Redford could have pushed harder with several issues that are bought up in the film, but are not represented the way they should be. For example, when Aiken starts to notice how his social life is affected and how people are treating him in general because of the trial, there isn’t really a sense of it causing him any sense of inner turmoil or any sense of discomfort to the audience. Sure he gets denied going into a party and nudged in the street, but Redford should have pushed this point further in order to grasp what a big deal representing a southerner who is being tried for the murder of the beloved president. It is something which was such a big issue in those times especially because the war was not long over and tensions were still high between the south and the north and the idea of someone from the north representing someone from the south was considered shocking.

Redford may have also done well to push further with the relationships in the film. The relationship between Aiken and Surratt is almost a love/ hate relationship and is quite intriguing. Yet, the relationship between Aiken and his love interest, Sarah (Alexis Bledel) is just dull and would almost do better to not be there, much like Bledel’s performance in the role.

The script was quite well written, yet still seemed a bit weak at times. However, there really are some heart breaking moments in the film. The scene where Lincoln is shot and carried across the road is done brilliantly and a wonderful way to start the film.

Robin Wright is the stand out performance in this film. It is not hard to feel sorry for her character and even be drawn emotionally to her. Wright is just so believable in this role. She truly becomes Surratt in every way. James McAvoy also does very well, but we all know he does well in period films. His performance gradually gets better and better through the film. Evan Rachel Wood is also wonderful in this film giving a heartfelt performance as Surratt’s daughter, Anna.

One thing is sure about The Conspirator, it will be a great film for history classes across the United States in years to come. It is very interesting and there are some wonderful points. Mr Redford just needs to push harder.

7/10