In our continuing effort to stay on top of the possible Oscar nominations, today we have a guest review from WMK Movie Reviews of Mary Queen of Scots.
Mary Queen of Scots has the makings of something much greater than what it achieves. With a mix of period melodrama and slow pacing, it doesn’t use the talent of its amazing lead actresses to push it past predictable.
Both Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie turn in stunning performances, though I did feel Robbie’s screen time was lacking.
The story of the two sisters is simply a big budget dramatization of an historical effect. A lot of the direction and Shakespearian-like dialogue felt very reminiscent of a BBC-meets-Lifetime-TV-made picture. This will likely garner an older demographic and some may be pleased with its ambition to stick to its Victorian era roots, but it really didn’t do a whole lot for me.
It’s a bit disappointing as the makeup, costume design and end sequence between Mary and Elizabeth are incredibly well established and emotionally resonant. Mary Queen of Scots could have had the means to be Oscar worthy but falls victim to the shadow of the recent, more original The Favourite.
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