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Mary Queen of Scots

Tyler Harlow

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, Jack Lowden


Director: Josie Rourke


Based on the book "Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart" by John Guy


18 year old Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan), now widowed, returns to Scotland from France where she ruled as queen. She finds both England and Scotland are under the rule of Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Determined to establish herself as queen of Scotland, she begins to undermine Elizabeth in an attempt to take what is rightfully hers. She soon finds Elizabeth isn’t her only adversary, as she finds those around her are planning their own treachery. While Saoirse and Margot get top billing, this is very much Ronan’s movie and she carries it like you would expect an actress of her caliber to. However, I went in expecting many show stopping face-offs between her and Margot. I ended up disappointed because Margot is only in a handful of scenes, mostly in the beginning of the film. I desperately wanted to see more of Margot as she really impressed me in I,Tonya. She does get one very well written emotional scene very late in the film and she makes the most of it. If only she had gotten more during the rest of the film. As messy as the politics were back then and as willing as everyone seemed to be to stab each other in the back, I never felt the tension or intrigue that was meant to come with it, if there was meant to be any at all. Instead, the film just felt like a re-enactment of the events with really good actors rather than adapting the story for a feature film. A lot of effort was put into the costumes and make up and I expect there will be some nominations for the film in those categories. Fans of period dramas will finds lots to enjoy in that regard. While well done, well acted, and well researched, I wasn’t drawn into the story as much as I should have been. More Margot couldn’t have hurt either. C

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