Friday, May 23, 2014

Belle Review

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Jon Pardew Movie Review: 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

Rated: PG
Sexual Content: 2/10
Violence: 1/10
Profanity: 3/10
Drugs/Alcohol: 2/10

Belle is a story based on actual events.  In fact the painting that was painted in the movie was based on the real painting.  The actual painting hangs at Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland, is owned by the present Earl of Mansfield and in 2007 was exhibited in Kenwood during an exhibition to run alongside events marking the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807.

The movie starts when Dido Elizabeth Belle is a child.  Her mother, believed to be a Spanish Slave, had just passed away and her father who was a Royal Navy Captain had come to claim her.  He left her in the care of his uncle the Earl of Mansfield, who lived with his family at Kenwood House in Hampstead, just outside London, England.  There, she grew into a young lady confused about herself and where she fit into society because of the color of her skin.  

Belle is a good historical chick flick type movie.  The dialogue was executed very well AND captured the time period.  The way that the English courted in the middle 1700's was a curious thing to witness as well.  Finding a match was a very different affair than we see today.  Among the rich, courting was very political and formal with heavy involvement of their parents to insure that all went according to plan.  
 
Belle shows that the influence of one and change the course of the world.  Dido died just years before the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.  Her influence on political affairs surrounding slaves is evident.  She inspired her uncle and her uncle loved her very much.  I enjoyed his comments at the end of the movie about is personal beliefs and basically saying that slavery is not right.  He held one of the highest positions in the government so his statements were very poignant.  If you get a chance to see this movie, do so.  You will be happy you did.

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