W.E.

Madonna has had a varied career when it comes to films. Her success as an actress has been very hit and miss. Perhaps more misses than hits. Now she is trying her hand at direction.
I have not seen Madonna's previous directorial effort 'Filth and Wisdom', so this is my first chance to judge her as a director. I must say that she is quite impressive. Because of low expectations, I think she did an excellent job. Madonna has a great visual style that shows she knows how to make a film and tell a story. The story of Wallace Simpson and King Edward VIII is an interesting one and a story you would not see playing out in the English royal family today. Perhaps they learned their lesson from this incident. A man giving up the throne for a woman is quite a big deal. We got a little bit of the story recently with 'The Kings Speech' but this film explores it on more detail. I have not seen any other films about the relationship so this is the first time I got to find out what happened. Wallace is certainly a fascinating woman and you can understand why Edward fell in love with her. Madonna has chosen to tell the story through a flashback, with a woman, Wally Winthrop, visiting an exhibition of W.E. memorabilia and reminiscing about what would have gone on. That is a good way to tell the Wallace Simpson story but Madonna has chosen to do it as a parallel with the modern Wally too. The modern story is good but I don't think was necessary. It was a good way to lead into the past but we did not need so much details. I kind of felt that it was a separate story and could have deserved its own film.
While her story was not important, Abbie Cornish still does a wonderful job as the modern Wally. She nicely plays the put-upon wife who is struggling with her marriage to a nasty man. Andrea Riseborough is excellent as Wallace Simpson. Andrea brings out the dignity and grace of the character while showing some emotion. James D'Arcy is good as Edward but has a very understated role despite being an important character. James does a very good job but could have had more to do. Oscar Isaac is very cool as the modern Wally's love interest.
This film is further proof that Madonna is a skilled artist who is constantly reinventing herself. While not a perfect film it is still a great deal more impressive and most films out there.