Belle

Director: Amma Asante

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Sam Reid, Miranda Richardson

Released in UK: Friday 13^th June

The painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle alongside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray caused quite a stir when it was first presented in the 1700’s. The image of a beautiful young black woman dressed in fine garments next to that of her white female companion was one of a kind. Pictures of the era were full of black men and women, however they were always depicted as slaves or servants and mostly looking up at the white subject in owe as a statement of their power status.

The picture of Dido and Elizabeth however is of equality, friendship and beauty.

This very picture triggered an interest in the British Bafta-award winning director Amma Asante who has released a semi-biopic feature film about Dido, presented in this moving romantic period (Jane Austen inspired) drama.

1769. Belle (Mbatha-Raw) is the daughter of an aristocratic Royal Navy admiral (a brief appearance by Matthew Goode) and a slave mother. When her mother dies, he unusually acknowledges her and takes her back to his family in London where their initial response is of utter confusion and shock. Given the name ‘Dido’ by her new family, she is taken under the wing of her Aunt and Uncle, The Lord and Lady Mansfield (Watson and Wilkinson) and raised as one of their own alongside her cousin Elizabeth Murray (Gadon). However Dido struggles with identity, as her colour continues to single her out in society.

The painting hung at Kenwood House until 1922, but in a grossly insulting and shocking turn of events, Dido’s name was scrubbed off and the very memory of her name disappeared. So for years people had no idea of the identity of the dark woman in the picture. Was she a servant or was she an aristocrat?

Dido was only very recently re-identified in the painting in the 1980’s, an incredible find considering its history. There is very little information about the life of Dido, however recent publishing’s by Paula Byrne and Fergus Mason, no doubt triggered by the interest in this film, will provide more background into the life of this amazing woman.

The very reason for the film being titled Belle and not Dido was as Asante puts it herself  ‘to honour her mother.’ Dido was the name given to her by her adopted family, not at birth.

The particular themes recognised are valued in this film, closely that of slave trade of the times. Did’s Uncle was also Lord Chief of Justice, and presided over cases of slavery including the Somerset ruling, and then the Zong case where more than 140 slaves were throw overboard a trading ship purely to claim insurance for their loss. Lord Mansfield’s particular affection for Dido alters and shapes the choices he makes, and indeed that of British Law altogether.

In Belle, Dido is treated with contempt by many of those she came into company with. While her family loved and cared for her, the colour of her skin, being that of mixed race or ‘mulato’ as it was once called, caused much talk. Much of this contempt is targeted by the wealthy Ashford family, led by the deliciously scheming Miranda Richardson and her elder son James (Tom Felton), who shows nothing but utter contempt towards poor Dido. Though she was loved and treated well at home, she was still not even allowed to eat with her family when they entertained (too lowly to dine with company and yet too wealthy to dine with the servants), completely alienating her.

The only love Dido experiences outside of her family, comes in the form of dashing John Davinier (Sam Reid), an idealistic young vicar’s son who falls for Dido when he begins an apprenticeship for Lord Mansfield.

Mbatha-Raw (who herself is half English, half South African) plays Dido with such an elegance and poise, she would have made a perfect candidate for any Jane Austen story, however with a lack of stories that have someone like her as the main character, this is her first chance in a leading role.

Much praise also goes to the magnanimous Tom Wilkinson in a superb performance and one of the finest in his recent repertoire, showing Lord Mansfield as kindly and honourable.

Any fault lies with the fact that pacing is a little slow and that it also deviates from historical facts. In reality Dido went on to marry a French steward, and as a single wealthy woman at the time, she would not have embraced a man in public. It would have been a scandal. Just a few romantic liberties taken to please a modern day audience, which Asante has acknowledged.

It’s also a shame to once again see poor Tom Felton type cast as a villain. He seems to be eternally stuck in the shadow of his evil counterpart from Harry Potter Draco Malfoy. It would be a pleasant change to see him have the opportunity for other diverse roles.

Asante has pulled a brilliant team together, from the script to the costume and music. She is dedicated to telling her story, though admitting making a lighter romantic piece less heavily laden with the racial and slavery issues. 12 Years A Slave this ain’t, but it is a beautifully constructed drama, showcasing some excellent talent, both on and off screen.

VERDICT: * * *

This lovely piece is a refreshing twist on the Jane Austen yarns we’ve come to know and love, telling a captivating story about race, equality and love in a very unforgiving and prejudiced society.

While Wilkinson’s performance is brilliant, leading lady Mbatha-Raw’s tough and moving performance is perfectly cast here. Expect to see a lot more from her.

Belle opens nationwide in UK cinemas 13^th June