Displaying items by tag: Alicia Vikander

FIREBRAND

UK, 2023, 121 minutes, Colour.

Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Simon Russell Beale, Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Erin Doherty, Junia Rees, Patsy Ferran.

Directed by Karim Ainouz.

There is always something interesting and arresting in any story about Henry VIII. And, this is the case here, Henry VIII at the end of his life, returning from battles, throwing his (heavy) weight around, acting on whims, up and down relationship with his wife, Katherine Parr, and caught up in political machinations, especially with the Seymours, the brothers of his late wife, Jane Seymour, uncles of his heir, the boy to be Edward VI. And, there are ecclesiastical intrigues, strong-minded promoters of Protestant theology, ambiguous Catholic prelates like Stephen Gardiner, and, especially the death of Henry VIII.

While this film is supposed to be a history of Katherine Parr, it is a fiction based on a successful series of novels by Elizabeth Fremantle. At this point, it is worth recommending another series of novels, those of the barrister, Matthew Shardlake, long but engrossing books by C.J.Sansom bringing this period vividly to life.

There is a difficulty with the title here, Firebrand. This is not exactly firebrand storytelling. There are some sparks but, rather, this is a somewhat dark and claustrophobic story, mainly confined within the palace. Nevertheless, it reminds us that Katherine Parr was a strong woman even if in the various stories of Henry VIII, she comes at the end of his succession of six wives. And she survived him (though, with a touch of fiction, Henry VIII in this film does not survive her.)

Katherine Parr is played by Alicia Vikander, an intelligent woman, a writer, collector of prayers, committed to the Protestant cause, in contact with a strong female evangelist who experiences the ire of the King. Katherine has served as regent while Henry has been away at the wars. She has been successful, also a strong stepmother young Elizabeth and the young Edward. At this stage, Mary, with her fiery Spanish background from her mother, Katherine of Aragon, is a young adult at the court.

But, while the film shows Katherine as strong, the performance is not quite as attention commanding as intended. Jude Law is pompous, vulgar, festering leg injury, callous in terms of his lustful roving eye, a monarch of whims, Law certainly holding audience attention. As does Simon Russell Beale as Stephen Gardner, reminding audiences of the complexities of the break from Rome, of the role of the Catholics, of the role of the emerging Church of England. Gardiner machinations, intrigues, has the ear of the king, is hostile to Katherine Parr, the scenes of the film concerning him the most active.

While Katherine Parr survived and married Thomas Seymour, the last part of the film highlights the Tudor history to come in drawing attention to the young Elizabeth, her character, her emerging self-assertion.

Firebrand does not stand out amongst the film is about Henry VIII but, the subject matter is always interesting and intriguing.

1. The title? As applied to Katherine Parr, the historical role, author, promoter of the Protestant cause, relationship with the Seymours, the last wife of Henry VIII? Not so much of a firebrand in this version?
2. Elizabeth Fremantle and her Tudor novels? Adapted, historical interpretations, inventions, the film’s screenplay and further interventions and interpretations?
3. The period, the last year of Henry VIII’s life? His return from the wars? His reputation, Katherine of Aragon and the divorce, the clash with Rome, wanting the male heir, execution of Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth, Jane Seymour and her death, Prince Edward? The marriage to Katherine Parr, her being Regent during his absence, stepmother to his children?
4. The portrait of Katherine Parr, her age, her past, marriages and widow, relationship with the Seymours, the political implications? Her concern about her books, her prayers and compositions, publishing? Her skills, as Regent, the relationship with Elizabeth, good stepmother? The marriage to Henry VIII, a loving relationship, tolerating the relationship, personal, sexual, political? His ability to turn against those closest to him? The execution of two of his previous wives?
5. Katherine Parr, the connection with Anne Askew, the scenes with Anne Askew, her preaching, her beliefs, the Bible, strong Protestantism? Katherine Parr’s support? The gift of the heirloom and its later been used against her?
6. Jude Law’s interpretation of Henry VIII, big, ageing, jovial, hedonistic, whims, narcissistic, back from the war, his past, his children, his hold over them, trusting Katherine Parr, his relationship with her, his vigorous and violent sexuality? Food? His health, the infection on his leg, the doctors treating him, in close-up? The sores, the smell?
7. The King’s behaviour, his whims, erratic, the banquet, his eyeing of the young woman and interviewing her, getting her to sing, all in the presence of his wife? The expectations of the time for the king and women? His relationship with the Seymours? His relationship with Stephen Gardiner, Gardiner’s advice, machinations, against Anne Askew, against the Queen?
8. The Seymours, Katherine’s relationship with Thomas, the planning of Edward, the era of the king, the king suspicions about Thomas, the accession of Prince Edward, Edward and advising Thomas to betray Katherine for their political safety?
9. Stephen Gardiner, Catholic background, in the service of Henry VIII, the fluidity of Catholic prelates and Protestant prelates, the absence of Thomas Cranmer from this film, Gardiner, Catholic attitudes, against Anne Askew, interrogating the Queen, his visits, interviews, his political and religious names?
10. The portrait of Mary, speaking Spanish, memories of her mother, her age, attitude towards Elizabeth, in the presence of the king, the banquets, her relationship to Katherine?
11. The portrait of Elizabeth, strong minded, her age, coping in the court, her attitude towards her father, the memories of her mother’s death? Reliance on Katherine Parr?
12. Prince Edward, his age, heir to the throne, the Seymour’s? His role in the court, his father’s attitude?
13. Katherine Parr, the pregnancy, and invention for this story, the experience of the pregnancy, the king’s reaction, the miscarriage, the blood, the consequences?
14. Katherine, the arrest, in prison, the release, her going to visit Henry, invented aspect of her responsibility for his death? Fiction?
15. The enclosed nature of this story, within the walls of the Castle, some views of the building from outside, but the claustrophobic effect? And in the confines of this Tudor world?

RUMOURS

Canada, 2024. 118 minures, Colour.

Cate Blanchett, Rolando Ravallo, Charles Dance, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Roy Dupuis, Dennis Menochet, Alicia Vikander.

Directed by Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson, Guy Maddin.

Esoteric and exotic are two words that come to mind while watching films by a Canadian rector, Guy Maddin. While he does have narrative and character development, his interest seems to be on the different kinds of impact films can have. His work is praised by critics. But, the average audience is bewildered.

While Rumours is probably the most accessible of his films, it still seems to have bewildered many of the public. To many, this seems so absurd a narrative, that they give up on it.

The basic plot outline, however, seems fairly direct. A meeting of leaders of the G7 takes place in ta castle in a German forest. The seven leaders meet for lunch, served in a pleasant gazebo, discussions, personal interactions, conflicts, and then their being stranded, lost in the forest at night. But, what happens to them in the forest, exposing of the limitations of their characters, the threats of impending apocalyptic doom, certainly takes them and the audience on unexpected paths.

The film does have the advantage of having Cate Blanchett in the central role as the German Chancellor, accented English and all. The other central character is the Canadian, Roy Dupuis, the most complex character of them all and he is given the final rhetorical declarations. The rest of the cast are strong character actors, including Charles Dance, of all people, as the ageing, prone to nod off, American President (and, just as it was a to explain his very proper British accent, he is cut off and we never know). Dennis Menochet dominates his scenes, a large man, -the intellectual, the French president. And Nikki Amuka-Bird, is a black prime minister from the UK.

The film might be seen as a political drama. However, the expose of the limitations of each of the leaders, leads to a satiric approach. The task for the leaders that we watch is their preparing for the communiqué, something like a school project amongst them, small groups, stating the obvious, truisms, platitudes. And then there are many farcical situations, some comedy. And, the three directors have though had an interest in conventions of horror films – so, excavations of 2000-year-old corpses, zombies, sex-obsessed, cavorting in the forest, and an AI program that is a perverse controller, and an overlarge-sized brain out their amongst the trees.

When asked to indicate approach to appreciating Rumours and its satire, a review suggests itself. What if the leaders of the G7, meeting there at the gazebo, all nodded off like the American President and had a communal nightmare. This would be the nightmare, cut off, lost, the very human limitations made all the more manifest, their being manipulated as the world seems to be going to its doom – and, rhetorically, standing there on the balcony, proclaiming some kind of hopeful G7 statement that might transcend the doom. Which means that both the leaders and we ourselves as the audience are often bewildered.

1. The work of the directors? Exotic and esoteric? Ironic comedy? Drama? Touches of horror?
2. The title, rumours, rumours of war…?
3. The basic premise, the meeting of the G7, the world leaders, economic situation, the official statement, reassurance? The screenplay and the presentation of the leaders, strengths, and expose of weaknesses, personal incompetencies, self-importance, relationships, affairs? Their characteristics representing their nations? The meeting, lunch, the gazebo, discussions, the small groups, preparation of the statement?
4. The German setting, the forest, the Castle, the gazebo, the forest? The events in the night, the darkness? The trees, the zombie-like creatures, the excavation of the bodies, Sylvain falling in, the sexual behaviour of the zombies, the ferry, the crossing of the water? The final scenes in this castle? The musical score?
5. The German leader, memories of Angela Merkel, Cate Blanchet, the accent, in charge, hosting, her concerns, the attraction to Maxine, going to search for him, the sexual encounter, the aftermath? Her support, guidance? The encounter with Celestine, her being able to understand and translate?
6. Maxime, Canada, the crises at home, the past affair with the British Prime Minister, his Celestine, the present with the German, his personality, his wife, deceptions? His crises and running away, the drinking, the clash with the British Prime Minister, the sexual encounter with the German leader, wandering in the forest, the discovery of the giant brain, discovering Celestine, the interactions with her? His carrying Sylvain after his collapse?
7. The French Prime Minister, pomposity, large, history, his book on graves, the excavations, his literary quotes, historical quotes, relationship with the other members, especially with the Italian Prime Minister, his notes blowing away, his pursuing them, in the forest, falling into the grave, the struggle with the body, his collapse, Maxine carrying him, the wheelbarrow, the ferry?
8. The Japanese Prime Minister, quiet, participating in the activities?
9. The Italian Prime Minister, small, friendly, quiet, the cured meat in his pocket, helping everyone, is a special concern about the French Prime Minister, the wheelbarrow?
10. The British Prime Minister, black, businesslike, the past relationship with Maxime, f ending him off, the participation in the activities?
11. The American president, as played by Charles Dance, the British accent, the almost explanation but not given? Age, superiority, leader of the free world, yet his falling asleep, his wanting to sleep, the Italian Prime Minister saving him?
12. The satire, the discussions for the statement, like small school groups discussing, the obvious, the platitudes…? The expose of the foibles? Lost in the forest, the zombies, the crises?
13. Celestine, the past, the talk about a new world order, her language, her documents, past with Maxime, the translation, rescuing her? Talk about Astrid?
14. The phone, the messages, Astrid, the little girl, asking for rescue, the group making their way to the Castle, entry, finding the Pres, the AI control, the accusations of sexual abuse, manipulation of characters? The death of the president?
15. The finale, the world up in flames, the rhetorical speech, the seven on the balcony? How much satiric? How much some kind of hope despite everything?

THE GLORIAS

US, 2020, 147 minutes, Colour.

Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Ryan Keira Armstrong, Lulu Wilson, Gloria Steinem, Timothy Hutton, Enid Graham, Bette Midler, Janelle Monae.

Directed by Julie Taymor.

The Glorias is a portrait-biography of feminist Gloria Steinem. It has been written and directed by Julie Taymor, a renowned theatre director, Tony awards for The Lion King, various Shakespeare productions. Her film career includes Shakespeare’s Titus, the biography of Frida Kahlo, Frida, the musical, Across the Universe.

On the one hand, the overall impact of the film provides a continuous biography of Gloria Steinem, her origins, her travelling father, the mental illness of her mother who had been a journalist writing under a male byline, the disturbing early years of her childhood, her getting a scholarship to travel in India as a young adult, her ambitions as a journalist, difficulties in a male-only publishing world, exposure to exploitation in Playboy clubs and writing on this, but her going to the March on Washington for a portrait of James Baldwin, encountering a number of black women, forming friendships with them, beginning to write, the establishing of the magazine Ms and the status of the title for women and its acceptance, participation in elections for Congress, friendship with Bella Absent, the passing of the years and her campaigning into the 21^st-century.

However, there is something of a surreal framework for this biography. A device is used, with black-and-white photography also, of the four actors portraying Gloria Steinem travelling on the bus, discussions with each other about issues, Gloria talking to herself, examining her past, in the past coming alive in the colourful flashbacks. The main focus on Gloria Steinem is in Julianne Moore, but also Lulu Wilson as the little girl, Ryan Keira Armstrong as the adolescent with conventional ambitions but then breaking out and the young adult Gloria played by Alicia Vikander. Timothy Hutton plays her father. Janelle Monae is one of her close friends and allies and there is a tour-de-force performance by Bette Midler as Bella Abzug.

The film recreates the period, immersing audiences in the various decades of the 20^th century, changes in politics, social attitudes, the rise of feminism.

An interesting different view on the feminist years can be seen in the television series, Mrs America, Rose Byrne playing Gloria Steinem, the focus on her opponent, Phyllis Schlafly, played by Cate Blanchett.

1. The title, the focus on Gloria Steinem, from her autobiography, My Life on the Road, the actresses portraying Gloria Steinem, the final sequences with Gloria Steinem herself?
2. The rise of feminism in the 20^th century, in the United States, the key personalities, the role of Gloria Steinem, journalist, international experiences, speaker, civil rights, abortion issues, women’s rights, multiracial campaigning, politics, the variety of associates, the buildup of her speaking engagements, opposition, personal life, the achievement?
3. The structure of the film, actresses, different stages, their being seen together, on the bus, conversations, interactions, the younger with the older Gloria remembering, questions? The effect of flashbacks and flashforwards? And, finally, footage of Gloria Steinem herself?
4. Gloria Steinem in her time, her mother, journalist, breakdown, institutions, her support of her mother? The divorce, her devotion to her father, caravan, the travels, his dealing in antiques, internationally? His illness, her travelling to him? The phone call sequence? The bonding with her parents, the visits to her mother, her mother’s encouragement?
5. Her growing up in Ohio, the travels, the 1940s and 1950s? The actress playing the young Gloria, the curiosity, her parents, and the sequences with the young Gloria and the older Gloria?
6. The teenage Gloria, the sequence of her conventional expectations of life? And her appearing with the older Glorias, the discussions? The teenage Gloria seen as taking strong stances in the later decades?
7. The adult Gloria, the sequences in India, and the later explanations her grant and travels, her interactions with the Indian women, their expectation she should be married, the conversations, the friendship? Drawing on her Indian experience in her career?
8. The revelation that she had an abortion, the visit to the doctor in London, abortion as illegal, that he not mention her name, that she live her life? (Her dedication of her autobiography to him and this quotation?)
9. Her attempts at journalism, the reaction of the editors, males, writes and rewrites, topics? The struggle, her wanting independence? The later meetings, the idea of their magazine, Ms, the discussions, the cover, the issues, expectations, adventurous attitudes, cautious attitudes, the publication, the results, the glimpse of women reading the magazine, the sequence of the interview with Nixon and the issue of titles, the establishment of Ms and its use?
10. The Civil Rights movement, her going to Washington, the march beyond expectations, Mahalia Jackson singing, the discussions, the discussions with the African-American women? And the later saying that after civil rights, women’s rights?
11. The range of associates, in the women’s movement, the importance of Dorothy Pitman Hughes, her presence, demonstrations, ideas, interactions with Gloria? Politics and the significance of Bella abs (and Bette Midler’s larger-than-life performance)? The meetings, the issues, the absolute and her declarations? Attitudes of Betty Friedan?
12. The older Gloria, Gloria from the 1970s, a long career, stances, the issues, civil rights, the attitudes towards abortion, abortion rights, campaigns? Women and their careers? Relationships? The older Gloria in the bus, and the discussions with the other Glorias?
13. The final sequences? Film clips of the actual Gloria Steinem? The background of her campaigning from the 1970s to the 2010s?
14. The changes in American feminism over the decades? Developments by the 21^st-century? The continued challenges in the present and into the future?