Friday, February 10, 2012

W.E. Review - 1 Star

Madonna has big plans for 2012—a new album, her performance on the Super Bowl halftime, and this film which she directed “W.E.” based on the romance of King Edward and Wallace Simpson.  You remember he abdicated the throne to marry her—an American divorcee.  Madonna cross cuts between the historical romance and the life of a wealthy but unhappily married New York woman played by Abbie Cornish.  We see the modern woman browsing an auction of the Duke and Duchess’ possessions—rooms full of silk dresses and silver cases which turns the movie into a sort of large screen version of the Restoration Hardware catalog.   The cross cutting’s confusion and the story feel empty.  Andrea Riseborough rises to the occasion as the Duchess.  James D’Arcy struck me as only a so so Prince/King/Prince.   Does it deliver what it promises?  Not the greatest.  Is it entertaining?  Confusion and slow.  Is it worth the price of admission?  As a director Madonna might think about abdicating.