Stories about royal scandal are usually surefire hits. The stories are there to be told. With a decent screenplay, nice costumes and some good actors, you should be able to create a decent film...unless the direction and concept is as cack-handed as this. I am often annoyed by films that move forward and back in time without chronologically telling the story. It's often a cover for poor editing. This is very much the case with this film. My head was spinning from all of the location and date changes. Another problem I had with this film were the supposed parallels between the modern day Wallis and Wallis Simpson. The links were very weak indeed. I was waiting for the scene that tied up both women's stories and it never came along. James D'arcy was a ridiculous choice for the part of Prince Edward. He is about 6' 3". The real Edward was around 5' 8". They looked nothing alike. Archive footage of the real Edward VIII intercut with the actor made the whole film look ridiculous. It was like a spoof scene were the stuntman looks nothing like the actor being punched. Overall this film was only watchable really for the acting of Andrea Riseborough, who looked very like Wallis Simpson and was believable as well. Not a film for repeat viewing. Overlong, boring and nonsensical
Review of W.E.
