CLIPS MOVIE REVIEWS

by Roger Tennis

On CLIPS In February, 2012

W./E.

Madonna directs this film about an unhappily married contemporary woman (Abbie Cornish) obsessed with the romance between King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy) and Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough).

TRIVIA: Which 2008 movie marked Madonna's directorial debut?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
      (3 CAMS)        RATED R

Obsessed with the affair between King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy) and American divorcée Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the unhappily married Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) begins an illicit contemporary romance with Russian security guard Evgeni (Oscar Isaac). "W./E." is a two-tiered romantic melodrama that is only fascinating when it focuses on the King and Mrs. Simpson. Director Madonna, who co-authored the screenplay with Alek Keshishian, has fashioned a film that's only half good. Mixing two love stories where only one is interesting is risky at best and the director appears to be more comfortable with the rich and famous account of the man who gave up the throne for love. Part of the problem is the acting. Andrea Riseborough is outstanding as Wallis Simpson. Paired with James D'Arcy, they deliver one of the best big screen versions of the affair that startled the world. On the downside, Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac and Richard Coyle (Wally's husband William) fail to spark interest in the 90s romance - except for a couple of fantasy sequences where Wallis confronts Wally. The costumes and sets are fantastic and Madonna sings a new song, "Masterpiece", over the end credits. "W./E." may not be a masterpiece, but there is enough interesting material in this film to applaud the Material Girl's directorial effort.