Two Queens one Kingdom

Mary Queen of Scots

by Kathia Woods

Many are familiar with the story of how Queen Elizabeth the first rose to Power, but many are not familiar with the story of Mary Queen of Scots. We all have acclimated to the fact that Scotland has been under English rule and never looked back.

This movie seems to remedy that. We meet young Mary upon her return to Scotland from her exile in France. In this movie, Saoirse Ronan portrays the young woman with a great Scottish accent. Margo Robbie my pick for Best Actress last year is the stark Queen Elizabeth.

What I loved about this movie besides the outstanding costumes and scenery is that we get to see two strong women leading — women that were challenged merely because of their gender. They understood that their every decision was questioned only because of their gender. Both women must live an isolated life because they couldn't trust anyone.

Margo Robbie as Elizabeth demonstrates it beautifully in scenes where she pushes back about marriage. The emotional turmoil she experiences upon sentencing Mary to death is breathtaking. Ronan is no slouch in her portrayal of Mary. She gives life to a monarch that is often mischaracterized or spoken in vain. She stuck between fighting her brother and tolerating her gay drunk husband.

I can say the highlight of the Movie for me is when the two queens finally meet face to face. The dance of words alone is worth the price of admission. The only drawback to this movie is that it starts very slow. It takes a minute to get going which will turn off some moviegoers however once it finds it footing its quite good.

Diversity- it receives a seven because Josie Rourke chooses to cast Adrian Lester as one of Queen Elizabeth's advisers. There were also other people of color featured in an Elizabethan story.

Scale- I give this movie a seven and a half because of its slow beginning.