Even though Elizabeth McGovern is a star, the movie needed more than her. I watch you for your drama, heartache and all-around amazing quality content, but I expected more from The Chaperone. PBS, I love you, but don’t settle for anything below your highest potential. I wish there were more substance to the movie - especially since it’s based on a true story and there’s no way the conflict could have been that clean in real life. Despite everything that happens in the movie, everyone somehow ends up friends again. The 20-year flash forward at the end is sweet but wraps up the loose ends a little too neatly. But, like the other potential plot lines, it fizzles out too.
There’s one twist in the movie that’s pretty unexpected. While the 1920s aspect was fun, it needed more glitter, glam and scandal to be enough. The movie is slow and doesn’t have a real climax. Admittedly, most of the people who go to see The Chaperone probably dont know much about the pre-fame. You’d expect some sort of scandal within that plotline, yet nothing comes of that either. Elsewhere, Louise and her male (married!) dance teacher flirt and seem to have some sort of connection. But nothing really comes of it - there’s no conflict, nothing juicy. In fact, lack of twist seems to be a recurring theme throughout the film.įor instance, Norma is adopted, and the movie spends a lot of time on her search for her biological family in New York. While Norma and Louise’s relationship is sweet at times, the cautious-adult-and-reckless-kid power struggle is a little overdone, and The Chaperone doesn’t exactly put a unique twist on the theme. Norma slaps some reality back in her and tells her to “just get on a train and go!” The film flashes 20 years forward at the end, and Louise is washed up, back in Kansas and doesn’t want to perform anymore. But by the film’s end, Norma is more open and supportive. At first, the chaperone is standoffish and wary of Louise’s crazy and reckless spirit. Seeing Norma’s character development throughout the film is enjoyable. The dance scenes in particular are some of my favorite parts, with Louise twirling and dancing around. The movie’s Jane Austen-esque ambiance is beautiful, with its pastel dresses and light piano music.
0 kommentar(er)
