Sisterly rivalry has been explored in films such as In Her Shoes and closer to a regal setting in The Other Boleyn Girl, but none have captured the fierce female resolution to claim the throne that is Mary Queen of Scots. Josie Rourke makes her debut into feature film society, presenting a portrayal of battle between a birthright claim and a more politically savvy opponent, with the respective performances of Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan delivering far more than a clash of Catholic and Protestant beliefs. If you’re aiming for a film about two of the most influential female monarchs in medieval history, then you’d best not miss.
Mary is the native French Queen with an impulsive streak that is marred somewhat by her bureaucratic naivety and youthful romanticism. Contrasted by her measured, calculated cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie), she lacks the insight of her Court and refuses their advice, leading to inside attacks on her dominion and undermining her chance of establishing peace between the two kingdoms. It’s the cautious, older woman with years and experience under her belt matched with the younger debutante with beauty on her side and a courageous spirit in her arsenal. Matrimony is the weapon that will usurp the seat of England, as the ageing and suspected barren regina Elizabeth scurries to play her cousin into the hands of convenient marital alliances. Sacrificing love over duty, she fears future offspring of Mary’s will send her kingdom into disarray as her own people are threatened by the charms of their rival sovereign. Mary’s own threats are the men who crave their own ambition under the masquerade of dalliance.
Cinematography from John Mathieson gives the picture its beauty with a piercing underside, like the chink in a suit of polished armour. Grassy knolls and open fields often give way to candlelit schemes in the dark, with the costumes dually showcasing the feminine might of the regent and the confines of their obligatory lifestyles. The second third of the movie is slowly paced, yet it gives an opportunity to catch up on the convoluted family trees that can be traced right up until today. Historical accuracy does give way to the narrative-the two cousins never met-yet their confrontation is a poised exercise in dramatic tension that shows restraint and malevolence equally. It’s a time bomb, regardless of whether you know the unruly ending or not.
Worth the attendance at this royal engagement.
Verdict: 8/10
Universal Pictures Australia
About The Author
