First Take: Belle- a film based on a painting?

SYPNOSIS:

The mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle in 18th century England

I may hate the costume drama genre with a vengeance, and yes, this was a difficult film for me to sit through, but I do have to admire the sheer filmmaking brilliance of Amma Asante. Belle is a masterclass in how to make a costume drama for the big screen.

The film is directed very well by Asante, as she is able to give a sense of scale to the 1700′s setting of the film, making Misan Sagay’s excellent script come to life in a brilliant way. This is also shown through the incredible performances in the film- Tom Wilkinson is on fine form alongside fellow cast members Emily Watson and Penelope Wilton, but the real star is Gugu Mbatha-Raw in what can only be described as a perfect performance as Dido Belle, the main character of the piece. It’s shot brilliantly by Ben Smithard, and it does remind some audience members of Downton Abbey- that’s how grand we are talking.

THE VERDICT

Belle is one of those films that really showcases what British talent can do. With an incredible cast, some top notch direction and a very good script, this is a great historical drama that fans of the genre will love and adore.

Smit Rating- 5/5