BellePosted by Wilson Morales
In Amma Asante breathtaking period drama ‘Belle,’ Gugu Mbata-Raw gives a breakout and tour-de-force performance as a woman torn between her own racial identity, love, and justice. In telling the story of Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay, the mixed-race daughter of British Captain Sir John Lindsay and a slave, ‘Belle’ brings to light the issues regarding slavery and racism from a British perspective rarely seen in American theaters.
As the illegitimate daughter of British Captain Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) and a slave woman, Dido Elizabeth Belle (Mbatha-Raw) is left in the care of his relatives in England while he continues his patriotic duties. Surprised at her skin color, her great-uncle, the Earl of Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson), who also happens to be the Lord Chief Justice and his wife, Elizabeth (Emily Watson) decide that while she is family, she is allowed to eat with them when guests are in the house.
Dido grows up in the house with her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray (Sarah Gadon) and her aunt Lady Mary Murray (Penelope Wilton). When John dies at war, he leaves his entire estate to Dido, making her a wealthy woman. Her cousin, who was left nothing when her father remarried and gave his money to his new wife, is left to look for a husband who will provide for her. Being white and more suitable, Elizabeth is introduced to James (Tom Felten), the son of Lady Ashford (Miranda Richardson) while his brother Oliver (James Norton) takes a shining for Dido.
Within the same time period, there’s a brewing case involving the drowning of many slaves from a vessel and the company that wants to claim insurance from their deaths. Leading the charge to fight for the dead slaves is John Davinier (Sam Reid), who initially was an apprentice to the Chief Justice but left when the views differed. When he meets Dido, it’s a matter of time when, after some resistance, she starts to realize her circumstance in her household and exactly what she represents to the outside world. Having money puts her at odds with her cousin but makes her stronger in the sense that she’s not desperate to find a husband so soon.
Mbatha-Raw is flat out amazing and captivating in this starring role. She breathes strength and confidence in a role that one could have perceived to be weak in her circumstances. This isn’t some rags-to-riches story. This is about a black woman who recognized her status in the community, and with some money, fought to change not only her status within the family but to find love when unexpected. Reid is also charming as the lawyer who’s opposed to the treatment given to blacks, dead or alive. Asante has also blended in a Jane Austen like story that brings out the romance in the film.
Along with a lavish production and Rachel Portman’s lush score, “Belle” brings to the screen one of the rarest times that treatment of slaves is seen outside of America. There’s a lot of politics packed in this film and Asante carefully blends that with old fashion romantic themes that will audiences will enjoy and be enlightened.
