My unintended sabbatical from reviewing is now over; I’ve got ten or twelve recent releases reviews to present, and shall do so as quickly as possible.  The first is an historical drama that was poised to be an Oscar contender, but which largely failed to impress.  This story was told in 1971 with the same title (but adding a comma after Mary) to better effect, with Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson.  This time around it is a showcase for the talents of young Saorise Ronan and Margot Robbie.

Josie Rourke’s film presents both sides of the Mary Stuart (Ronan) / Elizabeth I (Robbie) relationship, yet it definitely favors the cause of Mary Stuart to have become the rightful queen of the United Kingdom in the 1560s.  The script’s revisionist glimpse into the past seems to alter some fundamental facts involving the actions and personal proclivities of various historical figures — but since I am no historian, I cannot speak to this with any expertise.  What I can say is that at times the film was not particularly convincing, nor balanced.  It certainly is dramatic, anchored by a very solid performance by Ronan as the would-be leader unable to break back into the royal circle.

Its production values are impressive; movies like this make one wonder how people ever lived comfortably without handy power, plumbing or food sources.  But its script (by Beau Willimon, based on John Guy’s book) never establishes, for me at least, the congeniality and friendliness of the two women — conducted through letters to each other — as they spar over the throne.  The big buildup to their eventual meeting — in a room filled with swirling curtains, a maze of color and obfuscation — is more than a bit much.  And at the end, a time jump of quite a few years is made in a matter of seconds, with Mary looking no older, sadder or wiser than she was a few moments previously.

There is definite merit in this movie; historical dramas like this are nice to see amidst the glut of superhero adventures and crude comedies that comprise film fare these days.  That said, this particular drama should be better than it is; the talent before the cameras was not supported by the talent behind them.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  9 March 2019.