Belle, directed by Amma Asante and
written by Misan Sagay is truly a beautiful film that is well-worth seeing.
Based on a true story, the action takes place from
approximately 1769 to 1779 in England. A
mulatto young girl is placed in the custody of her aristocratic uncle by her
father, who is an Admiral in the Royal Navy.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Dido Elizabeth Belle and does so,
expertly, exuding passion and depth. Tom
Wilkinson plays her uncle, Lord Mansfield, who is the equivalent of the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court.
The bulk of the action takes place when Lord Mansfield
must make a decision in the Zong Affair, which was a seminal case leading to abolishing
the slave trade in England…a time when the plight of women was akin to the
plight of African slaves.
Cinematographer Ben Smithard offers up some of the most
beautiful images you’ve seen, taking full advantage of Production Designer
Simon Bowles’ exquisite sets.
Belle is movie-making at its
finest. I give it a 4+ out of 5.
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