Movie star Grace Kelly, who married Prince Rainier III to become the Princess of Monaco, was from afar the ultimate in tragic fairy-tales. From Hollywood’s leading lady, to a princess in a distant land, she captured the world’s attention through her striking looks and serene façade long after leaving Hollywood behind. Ultimately, she was lost too soon—a victim of a car accident.
Today’s leading lady, Nicole Kidman, seems a fitting choice to take on the central role of Princess Grace. The physical likeness is easily replicated and Kidman’s confidence as an actor has seen her succeed in bringing to life well-known and loved female icons in the past, perhaps none greater than her performance as Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
Alongside Tim Roth as Rainier, the film had promise. Casting, however, was not enough to transform this film into one of note.
Grace of Monaco tells of the difficult transition for Kelly, from that of screen siren to a princess and representative of a royal dynasty under threat. We join her several years after settling in her new home. She’s lonely and struggling to find friends, thanks to her brash American candour.
Her openness about politics wins few friends and puts in jeopardy several of her husband’s key relationships. Soon, Monaco finds itself without allies, and the French are keen to extract financial support, threatening to invade if this is not forthcoming.
With a film offer from Hitchcock tempting her back to Hollywood, the young wife and princess must choose to either stand by her man or return to the world where she was most adored.
Politically, the film explores the events and tensions that preceded the Agreement of 1963, but sadly it does so only superficially, and anyone with an interest for historical narrative is left underwhelmed. The key events are skipped over as the dates on the calendar literally roll by. It’s hard to know how significant Princess Grace’s role was in the eventual treaty, and the film offers what feels like an unrealistic resolution.
Like many biopics, too much emphasis is on revealing the inner workings of the subject and not enough attention has been given to strengthen plot and script. There were times during this film that I found myself questioning not only the logic, but also even the purpose of some scenes.
As an audience, we were asked to gaze in adoration at the wonder and the beauty that was this icon of the silver screen. While beautiful, unlike the strong work of Hitchcock from which Kelly herself carved her enduring screen legend, this film was a bit flimsy and fell far short of the aura the real Kelly effortlessly commanded.
This film has been plagued with rumours suggesting the Monaco royals were less than approving of their representation. The clear instruction that appears in the opening credits reminds us that this is a work of fiction, inspired by true events. What it is, sadly, is a cop-out.
The costumes are beautiful and the sets decadent, but the film’s quality is only skin-deep. To tempt us with such a gifted cast and interesting subject matter, but to deliver so little, is disappointing. Here’s hoping this interesting chapter is one day explored with a more deft hand.
Directed by: Olivier Dahan
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth
Rating: TBC
Runtime: 103mins
Release Date: June 5
Reviewer rating: 2/5