iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Madonna's 'W.E.' Film Set To Launch - Has She Pulled It Off This Time?

To watch this video, you need the latest Flash-Player and active javascript in your browser.

The Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 09/12/11 14:40 GMT Updated: 09/12/11 14:59 GMT

Amazing
 Inspiring
 Funny
 Scary
 Hot
 Crazy
 Important
 Weird

Unkind words have been said in the past about Madonna's film career.

Alongside the undoubted highs of Desperately Seeking Susan and Evita, there have been some less praiseworthy offerings. Body Of Evidence, Who's That Girl and A League of Their Own.

Working with Oscar-winners Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy) and her then husband Sean Penn (Shanghai Surprise) didn't save her screen reputation, and persuading second husband Guy Ritchie to direct her in Swept Away nearly did away with his film career as well.

But she's nothing if not valiant, and her latest feature-length drama W.E. has drawn far more favourable, if mixed, comments.

Here's the official blurb:

Madonna's W.E. is a beautifully crafted, passionate tale about the search for true love in the modern world, viewed through the prism of one of history's most fabled romances. The year is 1998, and Manhattan is abuzz with anticipation about the upcoming auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. But the auction is far more than a diversion for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a transplanted Southerner trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Transfixed by the exquisite artifacts of the Windsors' lives, Wally becomes obsessed with the love story of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the chic, charismatic American who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy). As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness.

UK audiences will be able to decide for themselves when Madonna's take on the Abdication crisis hits screens in January. In the meantime, here's the trailer above for a sneak peek, the blurb below and some stunning pics proving, visually at least, it's stunning...

1  of  5
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
Madonna's big screen take on the Abdication crisis - Andrea Riseborough and James D'Arcy star in 'W.E.' - in UK cinemas in January 2012. Picture: StudioCanal
MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT >   |   < PREV

FOLLOW HUFFPOST UK ENTERTAINMENT

Unkind words have been said in the past about Madonna's film career. Alongside the undoubted highs of Desperately Seeking Susan and Evita, there have been some less praiseworthy offerings. Body Of...
Unkind words have been said in the past about Madonna's film career. Alongside the undoubted highs of Desperately Seeking Susan and Evita, there have been some less praiseworthy offerings. Body Of...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

 
 
  • Comments
  • 12
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Recency  | 
Popularity
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
farmerlady
Blonde, Democratic socialist, and unwilling expat
2196 Fans
10:44 AM on 12/11/2011
Seriously, Madonna has had two flop films, "Swept Away" and "Body of Evidence"--all the others, especially "League of their Own" were very successful in critical and popular terms--so I have no idea why it's an accepted trope that she's had a "failed" film career--she's obviously had a superb run, much better than fellow "big stars" Aniston, Lohan, and Simpson, all of whom have made their name looking hawt in a couple of terrible movies and then becoming permanent tabloid fodder and nothing else. Madonna's fim career looks quite stellar in comparison.
Permalink  |
photo
Elrancho2
Nature boy
1860 Fans
03:00 PM on 12/11/2011
I think you have forgotten "The Next Best Thing"...? I can't agree with you describing her film career as "quite stellar" when she simply can't act! She probably could if she could "let go" but she can't because her entire, fabulous career was achieved by being totally in control, and one of the first things you learn in drama school is that you must let go and trust those on the stage with you. Up till now she hasn't been able to. Perhaps this film will be different.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
farmerlady
Blonde, Democratic socialist, and unwilling expat
2196 Fans
06:22 PM on 12/11/2011
She isn't acting in this film, I don't believe.
Permalink  |
terryjackson1nyc
39 Fans
11:47 PM on 12/10/2011
A League of Their Own was both a critical and box office success. It was number one for a few weeks and was on a number of end-of-the-year "Top 10" lists published by some of the most reputable critics. I have no idea why you'd lump it in with Body of Evidence and Who's That Girl. (Similarly, Dick Tracy was well received and made five times its budget at the box office. Like Evita, it even won a few Oscar nominations... and wins.)

If you include Truth of Dare, Madonna's batting average is about .500, which is as good as just about any other major actor's. Sure, she's had a few bona fide bombs (as has anyone of any historical significance).

I'm not sure if W.E. will be any good. I have no interest in the story, but she has clearly worked hard on learning a new craft. The trailer is decent and the film is as beautifully shot as any movie ever has been, with costumes, art direction and set designs that are proof of her attention to detail and her ability to bring a vision into fruition.

I am more concerned about the quality of the script than I am about anything else, since I do not believe she is a very good writer. If she can put aside her ego and/or fear and produce/direct something written by an accomplished screenwriter, I'm sure she'd do a fine job.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
farmerlady
Blonde, Democratic socialist, and unwilling expat
2196 Fans
10:45 AM on 12/11/2011
She's best when playing some version of herself, as in "Evita". Fortunately that is always quite interesting to watch.
Permalink  |
sabrinatee
94 Fans
07:21 AM on 12/10/2011
Good lord, first the US edition and now the UK: how much did the producers pay Huffpost to write such an obvious puff piece? This film has been savaged everywhere it's been screened! It's a weird vanity project - no more, no less.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CtrlClick
31 Fans
 
04:27 AM on 12/11/2011
I saw it when it was screened as part of some BFI thing in london. Too long. Made for TV feel to it. Not worth paying to see it in the cinema.
Permalink  |
photo
eric14
1215 Fans
 
11:26 PM on 12/09/2011
Look beautifully filmed. Madonna's videos (I think) are better than her music. She understands dance and movement.

But the movie is not for me, being red and republican.

One angle never touched upon. The brat was a half-baked Nazi sympathiser. Wallis saved the monarchy by destroying the career of the man she loved. Or did she cut a deal?
Brit Govt was ecstatic making the brat abdicate. Abdication crisis was awfully jolly convenient, don'tcha know?
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ussuri
ask questions, question answers
659 Fans
07:22 AM on 12/10/2011
why is saving monarchy of any value?
Permalink  |
photo
eric14
1215 Fans
 
01:48 PM on 12/10/2011
I wrote ''being red and republican'' so why are you asking me?

I was describing not advocating.
Permalink  |
photo
Elrancho2
Nature boy
1860 Fans
03:03 PM on 12/11/2011
(Even the President can't get through to a Republican so there's really no point wasting one's time).
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LilacGypsy
Its time the right gets a grip on Reality...
284 Fans
07:14 PM on 12/09/2011
Looks pretty good..I'd go see it.....
Permalink  |