Saoirse Ronan Stuns With Her Skills In “Mary Queen of Scots”

“Mary Queen of Scots” (Focus Features)

“Mary Queen of Scots” brings to the screen two of 16^th century Europe’s most iconic women. Elizabeth (Margot Robbie) was queen of England while Mary (Saorise Ronan) ruled in Scotland. The conflict between these two countries and these two women in particular provides the backdrop for this educational and illuminating story.

A lot of the in house fighting between the supporters of the two cousins is hard to absorb, but basically it comes down to Mary wanting Elizabeth to name her, or at least her her child, as heir to the British throne. This leads to insurrections in Scotland led by Mary’s half brother James (James McArdle). James is a Protestant while Mary is a Catholic. Elizabeth is, of course, a Protestant.

As the battles rage the film also gives us a glimpse of Mary’s love life. She has three husbands and none of them is a winner. Elizabeth keeps promising England an heir but time marches on. Mary does have a son by her second husband and Elizabeth even agrees to be godparent for the boy.

Mary’s story is the dominant one in the movie and Ronan is the actress you remember most when you leave the theater. She commands the screen as Mary and makes her a fully adult and imposing monarch. When you think that just a year ago she was riding high on her performance in “Ladybird” as a high school teenager you have to marvel at her range. Those two performances have nothing in common except the vastness of Ronan’s artistic talent.

With less screen time Robbie still manages to make an impression as Elizabeth. She seizes every opportunity to widen the range of Elizabeth’s personality. You get her background in bits and pieces but it all adds up in the end. You even learn the secret of why she powdered her face a pale white which was in sharp contrast to the redness of her hair.

Ken Follet’s A COLUMN OF FIRE was the book that first fanned my interest into the relationship between these two volatile women. This movie takes that information and brings it to life. It is a fascinating story that should deeply interest history buffs and even those who just want to watch a movie about two powerful competing women.

The film is rated R for violence and sexual situations.

Ronan and Robbie turn in award worthy performances, and the historical events give them the setting to let their talent fly. The script could have given more attention to the latter days of Mary’s life. That might have broadened the conflict story of the two women. Still what is shown is fascinating.

I scored “Mary Queen of Scots” a regal 7 out of 10.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com