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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Thursday 6 december 2018
Film puts a modern spin on 'Mary, Queen of Scots'

By LINDSEY BAHR everyone is attempting to
Associated Press manipulate an unstable
"Mary, Queen of Scots " is situation. Elizabeth tries
an ambitious re-imagining to offer up a husband to
of the Mary Stuart and Mary, in her own lover Rob-
Elizabeth I saga with mod- ert Dudley (Joe Alwyn), as
ern flourishes and bold a strategic plant. But, Mary,
performances from Saoirse seeing through the plan,
Ronan and Margot Robbie. weds another Englishman,
But the film, for all its pres- the charismatic Lord Darn-
tige and edginess, its lofty ley (Jack Lowden), ensur-
goals and contemporary ing that her offspring would
messages, is not a partic- have a legitimate claim to
ularly engrossing experi- the throne.
ence. There are interesting ideas
It's a shame too, because to explore about being
most of the elements are a powerful woman in this
there. The gorgeous cos- time. But the script from
tumes and meticulous set- "House of Cards" creator
tings are breathtaking, and Beau Willimon seems to
they couldn't have chosen oversimplify things. He
two leads better suited to imagines a relationship that
playing these women, with devolves mostly because
Ronan as Mary and Robbie his image released by Focus Features shows Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart in a scene from "Mary of Elizabeth's jealousy of
as Elizabeth. They just don't Queen of Scots." Mary's youth, beauty and
come together very well, Associated Press ability to bear children.
straddling an awkward line But choppy editing and to rule. She has eyes on Eng- relationship between the This point is hammered
between wanting to be stilted story evolution never land too, which is under the two countries impossible. over and over, as Eliza-
both a modern referendum really do justice to what rule of her cousin, Elizabeth But the question of a suc- beth, hearing that Mary is
on the real struggles of be- should be an epic and sus- I, a Protestant who refuses cessor remains and be- pregnant, gathers her skirt
ing a female leader in the penseful tale of political to marry and produce an comes urgent when Mary to just see what she would
16th century and a "Game machinations and power heir. A husband, Elizabeth comes back on the scene look like pregnant in silhou-
of Thrones"-style actioner. struggles. accurately concludes, will and starts making her own ette. The birth scene is even
Director Josie Rourke, who The story itself is fascinat- just try to take the throne claims to the throne. The more noxious, cutting back
has a background in the- ing. Mary, a Catholic wid- from her. And the men in two rulers correspond and and forth from Mary in la-
ater, certainly has a knack owed at 18 from the King of both of their camps try their negotiate in an elaborate bor, to poor, sad Elizabeth
for grandeur and drama. creating the only thing she
France, returns to Scotland best to make a peaceful game of chess in which
can — paper flowers.q

Actor-comedian Kevin Hart will host

2019 Oscars

him "to the family."
The announcement came
hours after trade publica-
tion The Hollywood Report-
er posted a story calling
the Oscars host position
"the least wanted job in
Hollywood."
Hart clearly doesn't feel
that way, writing on Insta-
gram that it has been on
his list of dream jobs for
years. The 2019 Oscars will
be broadcast Feb. 24 on
ABC.
"I am blown away simply
In this Dec. 11, 2017 file photo, Kevin Hart arrives at the Los because this has been a
Angeles premiere of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" in Los goal on my list for a long
Angeles. time...To be able to join the
Associated Press legendary list of host that

Associated Press Hart announced his selec- have graced this stage is
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin tion for the 91st Oscars in unbelievable," Hart wrote.
Hart has a new job — he an Instagram statement "I know my mom is smiling
will host the 2019 Acade- Tuesday. The Academy from ear to ear right now.
my Awards, a role the pro- of Motion Picture Arts and "I will be sure to make sure
lific actor-comedian says Sciences followed up with this years Oscars are a spe-
fulfills a longtime dream. a tweet that welcomed cial one," Hart wrote.q