Firebrandkika7.8· January 23, 2025Followso, i went into this movie thinking it was trying to be historically accurate... that's my bad, it clearly was not. i got that it was a strong dramatization of the real history after about 1 hour into it, and that it was a fiction piece inspired by real events in the last 10 minutes. that being said, i will judge it as it should be, like a piece of fiction and not of history, in all elements but one: the costuming. God, was it great. every time Catherine appeared in a gorgeous gown, a linen nightgown or riding clothes, my historical fashion lover heart rejoiced. finally a film based in XVI century Europe that kept all the women's hair covered when in public. not only was the costuming department great, so was the director, who took close attention to how the people interact with their clothing; such prowess was seen in one of my favourite little details of the movie, in the scene where Bishop Gardiner enters the Queen's chambers without warning, and the Queen's ladies in waiting cursed and scurried to cover their hair in presence of a man. the only qualm i really have with the costuming is regarding the common folk's clothes. i appreciate that, once again, they were careful enough to also make the lower class women cover their hair (at least, i don't remember a single of those women being unveiled), a decision that is so often ignored by the costuming department of period pieces. that being said, the clothes that the common people showed in the movie wore were not accurate to what actual peasants would wear; peasants also wore colourful fabrics, and like any other person they liked being clean and had the means to be so. regarding the actual story and plot, it was very good. the cinematography, the score, the acting, the direction, all of it was able to create a very effective thriller. i felt as nervous and scared as Catherine when Henry was present, holding my breath to what he might be able to do next. the "fight" scene between them (it was more of an attack by henry, and an attempted rape), made me sob and tremble like i was there, in that room, seeing all of it. Alicia Vikander's performance was mad and wonderful, and Jude Law did an amazing job portraying the unstable, sick and mercurial Henry, so much so that i did not recognize him throughout the entire movie, being used to seeing him play more charming and lively men. i wouldn't say that what they had with each other on screen was chemistry, but they definitely were able to connect like an abuser and abused would; the feeling of domination and subservience, of paranoia and defiance, of false regret and vengeance. other actors that stuck with me after the movie was the ones playing Bishop Gardiner, Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth. overall, a good drama and a great thriller, with great performances and amazing costuming, that should not be looked at in an historical sense, but as fiction.CommentsSign in to react and join the conversation.Sign inGet the app