MovieChat Forums > Belle (2014) Discussion > Belle is refreshing, painful, beautiful

Belle is refreshing, painful, beautiful

posted 11 years ago by Joliemolie
5 replies | jump to latest

Refreshing break from period pieces where women of African descent are depicted as slaves or servants, a painful glimpse of being caught between worlds, and beautiful in regard to the way in which love transcends societal boundaries. Enjoyed it thoroughly....great cast that didn't over or underact and a good script. The only thing I would had like to have seen done differently is the build up in the beginning in which Lord Mansfield was asked to take Dido in. It seemed a bit rushed.

[–] blackalaureate 11 years ago

i agree. i was surprised at how quickly the beginning moved along.

young belle should have been given more lines.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] JohnnyWeissmuller 11 years ago

I thought Belle was a wonderful movie. Well-written, superbly staged and directed with a real affection and understanding for the material. The acting was also splendid.

NOW TARZAN MAKE WAR!

[–] gypsyeyez 11 years ago

I totally agree with you too. I found this movie quite refreshing for a period piece as well. I also would have liked to know more about Dido before she arrived to be with her uncle. I've seen most the lead actors in other notable movies and I enjoyed their performance as well. Gugu was simply beautiful as Dido.

I may not have all the answers, but I do have all the questions.

[–] Breath_Taker 11 years ago

I also would have liked to know more about Dido before she arrived to be with her uncle.

I think the movie started out just perfectly in the time line.

Any sooner than that would have had to depict Dido as a slave alongside her mother. No thanks.

Still, any further back than that would have us all up in the actual affair between Sir Linday and the slave Maria Dido Belle. No thanks, though this part would have been quite fascinating to see how much this nobleman loved this slave that he pursued care for any offspring he had with her. This was not common for a man of his class to give a damn about the seed he dropped in a slave's womb.

Still, any further back than that would have us journeying with Maria as a slave before Sir Lindsay met and became attracted to her. No thanks.

For this movie, actual slave laboring depictions were not necessary, which is what sets this period movie apart from most others.