La Reina De Fuego

1500s-based "Firebrand" re-imagines the marriage of Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander) to King Henry VIII (Jude Law) of England - when it was torn by religious division. As his sixth wife she tries steering him & his kingdom onto a liberal path, while treading a careful political line. Allies like Eddie Marsan help as they can, but the power of the church (represented by Simon Russell Beale) is against her. Performances are strong (esp Law & Beale), Karim Aïnouz's direction's solid, and the second screenplay from sisters Henrietta & Jessica Ashworth (aided here by Rosanne Flynn) is interesting & engaging. Feminist period dramas ain't for all, but this one isn't bad.

STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful

Henry VIII (Jude Law) returns from battle, ailing and injured. His present wife, Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander) has an alliance with Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a radical who still preaches the Protestant faith with a group of fellow followers. After executing a friend of Katherine's, she is forced to maintain a solid show of unity with her monarch husband, as he cracks down on the Protestant rebels, and all who support them.

While I did have a brief fixated interest in the Tudors and Stuarts as a young boy, it gradually faded over time. But one that remained ingrained in my, and probably many others who studied the topic, was King Henry VIII, a figure as large in figure as he was in life, the rock and roll king, who played by his own rules and lived his life in full blown bombastic fashion, in a manner that would make Donald Trump and Boris Johnson blush. Director Karim Anouz's historical drama delves into his being with unreserved zeal, portraying him as the tyrannical monster he truly was.

In the lead role, what must be a heavily made up Jude Law portrays said king, completely unrecognisable as a result of his transformation, but still able to deliver quite a compelling performance. In the other central roles, Vikander and Doherty are two powerful, commanding female leads, in roles as vital to the accuracy of the tale as the main character, complimented by a supporting cast including Sam Riley and Eddie Marsan. Anouz certainly doesn't hold back visually either, with some full on sex and violence. Despite all of this, however, there is never enough spark and energy in the script to really give it the power it needs.

In the present turbulent times with 'strongmen' leading everywhere, this is an even more prescient and inspiring idea for a film. The performances are strong and the era recreation is convincing, but they're sadly let down by a script that doesn't match them. ***

I liked it! Was it the best historical drama ever? No.... But it was still entertaining. It's worth it just to watch Jude Law!!! Jude law was extraordinary. His interpretation of Henry felt historically accurate although the story itself isn't historically accurate. Alicia Vikander is always fun to watch. One of my favorites of hers is "Royal Affair". She just knows how to rock a period film.

It really captured how up and down Henry was, how his leg injury affected him, and how domineering and paranoid he could be. Throughout the whole film, I was constantly scared for Katherine's life. Overall, it was an interesting perspective about the king's last wife that is not normally depicted in TV or cinema.

Some positive notes: Alicia Vikander is amazing, costume design is great and it's visually stunning.

I don't mind historical inaccuracies. I do care about boring movies. How could it be so boring? The cast is amazing! The costumes are great, the acting is wonderful and the colors are beautiful. Yet, I watched a lot at my watch halfway in.

But, I don't know why, it fails to really entertain. It's not really a thrilling or grim movie but I have a feeling it was supposed to be. Also because it lacks emotion. That's because of the script and not because of Jude Law and Alicia Vikander.

Should you go see this? I'm not sure.

Alicia Vikander and Jude Law . The try of Karim Ainouz to explore the contribution of Katherine Parr to modelate last part of reign of her royal husband and the delicate balance between risks.

Motives to see this film, correct crafted, not always faithful to historical facts but working as honest sketch about a period and its challenges. And not bad resume of Henry VIII reign and the relation with his wives.

The only reproches - the feeling about soulness story, a presentation of venerable history teacher to his students after too many years of teaching. Second, the eccentric end and the impression about feminist manifesto.

But the costumes, rooms, relation of Katherine with the children of her king and the nice performances- Jude Law is, real, a good Henry VIII- are enough good points for appreciate this film.