- ...visually dull and intriguing in only the most generic sense, but still a showcase for the twin talents of Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.
- An epic look at the intimate frustrations of two massively powerful young women who spend most of their energy navigating between who they are and what they represent.
- Rourke's film feels well suited to the #MeToo moment, contrasting Mary and Elizabeth's far different strategies for maintaining what each believed to be her God-given legacy.
- Director Rourke exhibits confidence and enthusiasm in dealing with such juicy material in the company of her two outstanding young actresses.
- Acknowledges both the struggles of women and the fact that people of color have always been part of society, even during the Renaissance and Age of Discovery.
- Mary Queen of Scots is a film that will always gild the lily, which proves fatal since it's seemingly set in a garden of them.
- It's basically House of Cards for royal politics. You get to watch two smart and savvy women make political maneuvers.
- Mary Queen of Scots does a decent job of laying out the foundations of Mary Stuart's importance, even if it often feels like it's leapfrogging through history.
- In a wicked display of tension and percolating drama, Josie Rourke's smartly effective and intoxicating 'Mary Queen of Scots' showcases two grandiose performances from Academy Award nominees Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.
- Ronan is the monarch of the lens in this feisty, feminist royal biopic, which favours queenly clashes over battlefield action.
- History never fails to repeat itself. The factional fighting in colorfully picturesque Sixteenth Century England is mirrored today in the grayer environment of the U.S.
- At the center [of Mary Queen of Scots] are fiery women fighting for their rightful place, queer representation and diverse casting that elevate this period drama and raises the bar for future ones.
- The historical accuracy of the action feels less important than the overall statement the film makes on women and power: Much has changed in the last 431 years, but not nearly enough.
- Rourke's greatest achievement is the performances she's coaxed out of her two lead actresses. They're so good they're like De Niro and Pacino in Heat.
- Although the film's palace intrigue gets a bit dense, the story never loses sight of its compassion for these characters and their shared plight of being held hostage by conniving, belittling, power-hungry men determined to usurp their authority.
- Mary Queen of Scots is no staid, stuffy period drama, as restrained as the breathing of corseted women. Instead, this a vital film, whose lace-trimmed bosom heaves with life.
- In telling the story of Elizabeth's ill-fated cousin, Mary Queen of Scots sheds the bonds of the old costume drama by adding a modernist/feminist twist into the mix. Features outstanding work by Margot Robbie.
- [A] lush and ravishing period piece...
- A history lesson with more fire in the belly than most. It turns out that a feminist angle really can revive the same old Tudor psychodramas, thanks in large part to Ronan and Robbie's authoritative performance.
- Rourke and Willimon have crafted a juicy, darkly compelling drama that offers a sleek alternative to what's come before. It's hardly revolutionary or particularly revisionist but there's enough here to make it feel like a worthy endeavour nonetheless.
- ...visually dull and intriguing in only the most generic sense, but still a showcase for the twin talents of Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.
- An epic look at the intimate frustrations of two massively powerful young women who spend most of their energy navigating between who they are and what they represent.
- Rourke's film feels well suited to the #MeToo moment, contrasting Mary and Elizabeth's far different strategies for maintaining what each believed to be her God-given legacy.
- Director Rourke exhibits confidence and enthusiasm in dealing with such juicy material in the company of her two outstanding young actresses.
- Acknowledges both the struggles of women and the fact that people of color have always been part of society, even during the Renaissance and Age of Discovery.
- Mary Queen of Scots is a film that will always gild the lily, which proves fatal since it's seemingly set in a garden of them.
- It's basically House of Cards for royal politics. You get to watch two smart and savvy women make political maneuvers.
- Mary Queen of Scots does a decent job of laying out the foundations of Mary Stuart's importance, even if it often feels like it's leapfrogging through history.
- In a wicked display of tension and percolating drama, Josie Rourke's smartly effective and intoxicating 'Mary Queen of Scots' showcases two grandiose performances from Academy Award nominees Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie.
- Ronan is the monarch of the lens in this feisty, feminist royal biopic, which favours queenly clashes over battlefield action.
- History never fails to repeat itself. The factional fighting in colorfully picturesque Sixteenth Century England is mirrored today in the grayer environment of the U.S.
- At the center [of Mary Queen of Scots] are fiery women fighting for their rightful place, queer representation and diverse casting that elevate this period drama and raises the bar for future ones.
- The historical accuracy of the action feels less important than the overall statement the film makes on women and power: Much has changed in the last 431 years, but not nearly enough.
- Rourke's greatest achievement is the performances she's coaxed out of her two lead actresses. They're so good they're like De Niro and Pacino in Heat.
- Although the film's palace intrigue gets a bit dense, the story never loses sight of its compassion for these characters and their shared plight of being held hostage by conniving, belittling, power-hungry men determined to usurp their authority.
- Mary Queen of Scots is no staid, stuffy period drama, as restrained as the breathing of corseted women. Instead, this a vital film, whose lace-trimmed bosom heaves with life.
- In telling the story of Elizabeth's ill-fated cousin, Mary Queen of Scots sheds the bonds of the old costume drama by adding a modernist/feminist twist into the mix. Features outstanding work by Margot Robbie.
- [A] lush and ravishing period piece...
- A history lesson with more fire in the belly than most. It turns out that a feminist angle really can revive the same old Tudor psychodramas, thanks in large part to Ronan and Robbie's authoritative performance.
- Rourke and Willimon have crafted a juicy, darkly compelling drama that offers a sleek alternative to what's come before. It's hardly revolutionary or particularly revisionist but there's enough here to make it feel like a worthy endeavour nonetheless.
Mary Stuart Me too, I've seen it before. I do hope they get their finger out and make a movie. Dec 10, 2014. Carol Peletier likes this. Mary Stuart Counting down till Wine 'o' Clock and Wicked at the Theatre. Its ok, i'm allowed to drink. I was up at 5am working out!