W.E. (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)

The much maligned, brief theatrical film by Madonna W.E. fairs better on the small screen than it likely did in the movie houses. The stories are bifurcated, each one resembling a television creation one a docudrama biopic, the other a contemporary soap opera. That Madonna, who directed and wrote the screenplay with Alek Keshishian, decided to mix the two stories is a bit daring but in some ways it works very well. In other ways the parallel stories seem like time traveling cars on the same highway that never quite travel at the same speed or quality.

The film mixes the notorious affair between King Edward VIII and American divorcée Wallis Simpson with a contemporary romance between a married woman and a Russian security guard. The time is 1998 and at an auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor unhappily married ex-Sotheby employee Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) becomes obsessed by their historic love story. Her own marriage to womanizing, abusive psychiatrist William (Richard Coyle) undermines her feelings of worth and as she learns more about the sacrifices involved in the famous affair, she gains her own courage to find happiness.

The film flips back and forth between the present and the 1930s and it is the historical aspect of the film that is almost flawless. We get to know Wallis Simpson (in a brilliant portrayal by Andrea Riseborough) and understand her failed first two marriages (at the time we meet her she is still married to Ernest Simpson played by David Harbour), and see the American sizzle that made her the talk of England. When Wallis wrangles her way to meet Prince Edward, better known as David, (James D'Arcy) there is a chemistry that develops to the point of passion and ultimately leads to Wallis divorcing Ernest to marry Edward a deed that leads to Edward's abdication of the throne for `the woman I love', which he had assumed when King George V (James Fox) dies, to his stammering brother Bertie (Laurence Fox) and his caustic wife Elizabeth (Natalie Dormer). The paparazzi make their life miserable and the couple is not allowed to return to England until Edward dies, with the faithful Wallis supportively by his side through 36 years of marriage.

Wally meanwhile longs to be pregnant but sustains such abuse from William that she ultimately yields to the loving friendship the auction house Russian security guard Evgeni (Oscar Isaac) and begins her life again. The two stories are connected by Wally's obsession with the royal couple's notorious affair and at auction's end she is given access to private letters between Wallis and Edward that have been in the possession of Mohamed Al-Fayed (Haluk Bilginer) a tacked on ending that feels ill at ease and redundant.

Everyone connected t the biopic angle of this film is excellent and Madonna shows that she knows how to direct affairs of the heart in a royal situation very well indeed. Both Andrea Riseborough and James D'Arcy are superb and the costumes and music and cinematography of this historical portion are exceptionally well done. Though the idea of the contemporary sluggish story is reasonable, Abbie Cornish seems uncomfortable with the script: Oscar Isaac shines as her new love. In all the film, though spotty, has merit and it not a bad debut for Madonna as director. Grady Harp, May 12

After seeing Madonna's love letter to controversial Wallis Simpson "W.E" get savaged by the mainstream media, I was somewhat apprehensive about the film. The love affair between Simpson and King Edward VIII is a stunning and momentous true-life story that resulted in him abdicating the crown and becoming a lifelong exile from the country he had served. It is unparalleled in terms of historical significance. What a fantastic subject! I knew that Madonna had a particular interest in Simpson's side of the story, so this seemed a novel approach to a somewhat familiar tale. From advance previews, it seemed that the film was positioned to be a sweeping romance so I didn't really expect a by-the-numbers historical biography. And in truth, I learned little new about the pair that I hadn't seen in countless other representations. But even taken on its own terms, I don't know that "W.E." really accomplishes what it set out to do. It's not all bad, by any stretch, but the movie keeps the viewer at arm's length throughout.

In a strange decision, Madonna and her co-writer Alek Keshishian filter the famous love story through the eyes of a modern woman (Abbie Cornish). Cornish plays a rather expressionless upscale housewife tortured by an extravagant lifestyle and an inattentive husband. Just to elicit some sympathy for her plight of complete freedom and wealth, her husband is made out to be a cackling caricature of evil. Cornish is obsessively fixated on Wallis Simpson in a very creepy way (Simpson stories play non-stop on the radio and TV, she spends every waking moment studying memorabilia from the time period, and she has imaginary conversations with her idol). Of course, this aloof and troubled married woman is like catnip to a museum security officer (Oscar Isaac) and we all know where that is headed. In a fugue state, we see flashbacks to the courtship between Simpson and the King. Luckily, the scenes from the past are certainly more compelling than the contemporary plot thread which did not elicit my interest at all.

Andrea Riseborough and James D'Arcy are actually quite good in the titular roles and any opportunity to escape into their world is a welcome one. However, if you want solid history, this isn't going to provide it. It's a bare bones examination of the political climate, the other members of the monarchy, or anything of substance. The more controversial aspects of the pair are mentioned, but dismissed as sheer rumor without any introspection. Okay, fine, than hopefully this is a stunning romance. Well, not really. I never felt the real chemistry between these two. In fact, Simpson (especially in their courtship) seems to be manipulating the relationship from the start. I'm willing to believe this was a tremendous love story in real life, but this screenplay never convinces me in the film. And when we're supposed to view Simpson with great empathy at what she's sacrificed, her supposed misery and suffering just hasn't been well established.

And yet, for its faults, I must admit that this is one gorgeous movie! The shot compositions are interesting, the sets are extravagant, the Oscar nominated costumes are lovely, the orchestrations are lush and beautiful. Technically, "W.E." is extremely impressive. The film's shortcomings have little to do with the actors. If half of the movie hadn't been spent in modern times, this might well have been an entirely more satisfying experience. I didn't hate the movie by any means, I think it fell short of its potential and the narrative framing device was a particularly egregious mistake. About 2 1/2 stars, I'll round up for what might have been. KGHarris, 4/12.

Buy W.E. (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011) Now

W.E is an art film, in its essence. The style is, to me, more of French Cinema than perhaps a US film release, but comparisons such as this are for naught and are more suited to Siskel and Ebert styled reviews.

The fact that Madonna co-wrote and directed this film creates a weighted bias, and though I won't directly commit here to my thoughts on this, prior to viewing the movie, suffice to say I was quite surprised to see that Madonna has shown great depth as a director and has challenged her viewers.

This being said, I do think there is, again a bias as to what viewers are willing to accept as directorial genius when the director is not a "whomever". Even more so when a pop star with limited to no directorial experience has accomplished this. I think we've all seen movies wrought of "the geniuses" that have left us possibly shaking our heads at what the PR hype told us it would be, but such is one's individual take, or not.

The sets and costumes are magnificent. The score is beautiful and is presented in a more classic fashion, not resorting to the current trend of, say, overblown choirs stacked on top of big orchestration. Further, the score by Abel Korseniowski is often subtle and far reaching in heightening the film. It reinforces, yet again, for me, that obscure European film composers are far more reaching than what is produced for the majority of the US film industry (such as Wojciech Kilar's ( a student of Nadia Boulanger, hence the greatness) sumptuous understated scoring of Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula"). W.E is further juxtaposed by use of Pop material (as is so in vogue now to do). Hence a lengthy and varied set of song credits do accrue.

The movie is a dualism that compares the maelstrom of King Edward abdicating his throne because he is in love with an American woman, Wallis Simpson, who all of England, it seems, will not accept as a suited wife to the Crown.

The companion contemporary story deals with a young woman, Wally Winthrop (her mother had named her after Wallis-Simpson), in an unhappy marriage and her gradual and ongoing psychological breakdown due to her loss of identity within a marriage which has denigrated to her being, essentially a de-valued trophy wife to a successful, but philandering and abusive husband. Her coping mechanism has been to escape into her inner world, which centers around her fixation of her namesake, Wallis-Simpson, brought finally to fruition in her daily visits to Sotheby's to view and personally interact with a collection of personal items of Edward and Wallis-Simpson to be auctioned.

It is a bit confusing, initially when periods change abruptly in the film, following the comparative presented, often done through use of touchstones, either tangible (as in the museum) or inner escapism fantasies of Wally. However, it is certainly no more far reaching as a transitional concept as was often a confusing Blockbuster, "Inception". However, "Inception" boasts a director, with let's say, an accepted reputation, where "W.E" has Madonna. My feeling is that Madonna accomplished many things very well in this film, but quite possibly her adventurous creative approach will be un-accepted by many simply because she is Madonna.

The movie is worth your time in watching, most certainly. It was filmed on a modest budget by Hollywood standards, and did not re-coup its expenses at the box office, but DVD's live on as a second and longer chance for films like this to be understood and gain audience.

The cast is great! Andrea Riseborough and James D'Arcy shine as Wallis and Edward. Abbie Cornish is wonderful as Wally.

It is well worth mentioning that Katie McGrath (who broke in first in a secondary role on "The Tudors" and was launched as "Morgana" in the BBC's "Merlin") as "Lady Thelma" here is an actress to keep watch on, as Katie is captivating on screen even in brief supporting. Great things lie ahead for Katie McGrath.

As a postscript, I have purposely avoided documenting specific content of the movie because I don't care for reviews which give too much of the movie away, so I would rather present less, than more in this regard.

W.E is well worth your time, and congratulations to Madonna for her success, irregardless of box office, as a director of surprising substance.

Read Best Reviews of W.E. (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011) Here

Madonna does a great job carrying 2 different storylines in this movie. You get swept up in the music and visuals while learning about this love story. Already watched it twice.

Want W.E. (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011) Discount?

I was concerned that the movie wasn't going to be very good, due to reviews from critics. However, W.E., is really good and beautiful to look at as well. I really enjoyed the movie and the music score, highly recommend!!!

Save 44% Off