This movie is a MUST SEE. Watch it before reading this. I love period films like this for the costuming and the drama but this one stood out. As a commentary on the world we lived in and live in this movie stands apart and above the others. As part of the African Diaspora this movie resonates with me. The questions posed then that ask for us as a society to be better and choose better, ....to chose better for the sake of principle and to act by enforcing laws that better protect us from ourselves are still relevant today. "What is right can never be impossible". We hope that this is true and that we can stay the course until it is proven possible. This story is amazingly powerful. The trials that they might have had I am sure were immense but those same issues still permeate our society today. Ferguson, Missouri 2014 a teen, 18yr old Michael Brown, shot by police and left dead on the ground for 4 hrs and the first call the police made was for back-up. Trevon Martin, 17yrs old, shot while walking home after his peruser was told not to and instead shot and killed the unarmed teen who begged for his life while cornered by the same armed man who profiled him as a thief because he was black and wearing a hoody ....never mind the fact that most teens wear it and it was cold and the weather required it. Her struggle with simply being was interesting. It was enacted by her learning how to comb her hair. The scene with Belle and Lord Mansfield speaking about the portrait after completion furthered the point. There was no one like her at that time. She is removed from the ridicule and truth of society as much as is humanly possible thanks to her family. There was safety and danger in that. Formal dinner with guests was a constant reminder of the inhumane and unjust laws of society. Mr. Davinier's question about dinner just brought that thought and pain to the fore. The statements: "Let justice be done though the heavens may fall," and "while my father relies on the bible I wish to rely on the law court" said by two characters at different stages of life. The first, Lord Mansfield, says the words but has at this point fulfilled its meaning in his life to the extent he thought he could and is measured and not reckless ensuring that the LAW is obeyed ALWAYS and the other, Mr. Davinier, full passion and oozing with principle and vigor...eager to change the world and make if different.....better NOW...being moved by mostly emotion and not fully taking the law into account because he is ignorant of it at that point. When Dido played better than her counterpart it forced an unwilling compliment by Lady Ashford. I find than in some circles that principle still remains for women wrt to men professionally and for persons of the African Diaspora. The movie was beautiful: the sets, lighting, cinematography, and locations. Exemplary performances, writing, and directing for this movie. The writing is so good that I have to mention it twice. It was exceptional throughout. There were key scenes that stood out the coming out of the girls where the husband and wife spoke in two separate conversations but with one mind and one voice speaks volumes about there relationship: the respect, love, connection, ideals and idea of union. The denial of the proposal Belle's explanation for why she chose to break the engagement cut right to the meat of it. Mr Davinier. Professing his love...simply powerful acting and words even the uncle had to just sit back and take a moment. "Yes I love her! I love her with every breath that I breathe." Damn. Mr. Davinier when he spoke of the purpose of the law and its place in society which was for the benefit of his peers and Lord Mansfield. When Lord Mansfield said to Mr. Davinier to control his emotions, "The world is a devastating place. You must learn to protect your emotions to prevent matters both in law and love, from devastating you." That was very profound advice. I love this movie and now I have a copy. I trust you have seen it. It is amazing and the cherry on top is that IT IS TRUE.
Review by DeletedBlockedParentSpoilers2014-08-25T09:41:20Z
This movie is a MUST SEE. Watch it before reading this. I love period films like this for the costuming and the drama but this one stood out. As a commentary on the world we lived in and live in this movie stands apart and above the others. As part of the African Diaspora this movie resonates with me. The questions posed then that ask for us as a society to be better and choose better, ....to chose better for the sake of principle and to act by enforcing laws that better protect us from ourselves are still relevant today. "What is right can never be impossible". We hope that this is true and that we can stay the course until it is proven possible. This story is amazingly powerful. The trials that they might have had I am sure were immense but those same issues still permeate our society today. Ferguson, Missouri 2014 a teen, 18yr old Michael Brown, shot by police and left dead on the ground for 4 hrs and the first call the police made was for back-up. Trevon Martin, 17yrs old, shot while walking home after his peruser was told not to and instead shot and killed the unarmed teen who begged for his life while cornered by the same armed man who profiled him as a thief because he was black and wearing a hoody ....never mind the fact that most teens wear it and it was cold and the weather required it.
Her struggle with simply being was interesting. It was enacted by her learning how to comb her hair. The scene with Belle and Lord Mansfield speaking about the portrait after completion furthered the point. There was no one like her at that time. She is removed from the ridicule and truth of society as much as is humanly possible thanks to her family. There was safety and danger in that. Formal dinner with guests was a constant reminder of the inhumane and unjust laws of society. Mr. Davinier's question about dinner just brought that thought and pain to the fore.
The statements: "Let justice be done though the heavens may fall," and "while my father relies on the bible I wish to rely on the law court" said by two characters at different stages of life. The first, Lord Mansfield, says the words but has at this point fulfilled its meaning in his life to the extent he thought he could and is measured and not reckless ensuring that the LAW is obeyed ALWAYS and the other, Mr. Davinier, full passion and oozing with principle and vigor...eager to change the world and make if different.....better NOW...being moved by mostly emotion and not fully taking the law into account because he is ignorant of it at that point. When Dido played better than her counterpart it forced an unwilling compliment by Lady Ashford. I find than in some circles that principle still remains for women wrt to men professionally and for persons of the African Diaspora.
The movie was beautiful: the sets, lighting, cinematography, and locations. Exemplary performances, writing, and directing for this movie. The writing is so good that I have to mention it twice. It was exceptional throughout. There were key scenes that stood out the coming out of the girls where the husband and wife spoke in two separate conversations but with one mind and one voice speaks volumes about there relationship: the respect, love, connection, ideals and idea of union. The denial of the proposal Belle's explanation for why she chose to break the engagement cut right to the meat of it. Mr Davinier. Professing his love...simply powerful acting and words even the uncle had to just sit back and take a moment. "Yes I love her! I love her with every breath that I breathe." Damn. Mr. Davinier when he spoke of the purpose of the law and its place in society which was for the benefit of his peers and Lord Mansfield. When Lord Mansfield said to Mr. Davinier to control his emotions, "The world is a devastating place. You must learn to protect your emotions to prevent matters both in law and love, from devastating you." That was very profound advice. I love this movie and now I have a copy. I trust you have seen it. It is amazing and the cherry on top is that IT IS TRUE.