Belle

With this, I've just confirmed that historical films simply don't entertain me, and there are only a few dramatic-romantic films that truly captivate me. Belle is definitely not Pride and Prejudice, and although the actors try and their performances resonate well, the film remains a contrived and strained spectacle for me. (12/08/2014)

Belle is a perfect example of a contrasting film that presents the viewer with dual aspects. The first aspect showcases highly professional production values with a strong cast and corresponding performances, excellent set design, and overall well-executed craftsmanship of the project. The second, less sympathetic aspect of the film is its perfect predictability, which can be likened to a primitive children's puzzle. A new character appears, and you immediately assign them the appropriate role - that's the lecherous seducer, that's the devoted admirer with a pure heart who leads the heroine to the altar, and so on. Practically never making a mistake, the film's script could easily be written by even you, as practically nothing in it can surprise or astonish you. Three stars are as good as guaranteed, and I can even imagine a fourth star for fans of Emily Watson or Tom Wilkinson. Overall impression: 60%. (03/01/2023)

Belle is one of those films that rely on the lives of real people from the past and tell a story through them that is important today. It is not important to have facts 1:1, but the message is. Dido Elizabeth Belle (1761-1804) did indeed live, and we can also find a shared portrait with her cousin Lady Elizabeth Finch-Hatton (1760-1825), which plays a certain role in this film. However, the result is an average film with an incredibly bad ending. The ending is almost overly saccharine kitsch, unfortunately. But I attribute that to the fact that the theme of Belle was completely exhausted within a few years. After the exhibition of the double portrait at Kenwood in 2007, at least 6 books and 7 other dramatizations were released, whether for film or theater. It's not possible to rewrite one biography so many times in such a short time without completely diluting it. (25/03/2024)