W.E. was an interesting approach to historically significant
events that happened to the House of Windsor.
Directed by Madonna, the film parallels the lives of Wallis Simpson and
Wally Winthrop. Wally, an abused and
lonely housewife, is obsessed with the romance of Wallis Simpson & King
Edward VIII. At first, the transitioning
between the lives of the two women is confusing and uncomfortable to
watch. However, as the film progresses,
one realizes the lives of these women are more similar then just their
names.
Both women experience love, loss, & loneliness. They sacrifice parts of themselves for the men who they love and pay severely for those sacrifices. Wallis is condemned to a life of scrutiny while Wally is abused physically and mentally. While Wally’s story is fictitious, Wallis is portrayed as quite real and intimate. The viewer watches Edward becoming possessed with Wallis to the point of obsession.
Although the film is titled W.E., Wallis is the primary
character in the film. She is brilliantly
portrayed by Andrea Riseborough. The
role is played not only accurately but entertainingly. Her counterpart in the film, Wally, is
portrayed by Abbie Cornish. Unfortunately,
her performance paled in comparison to Ms. Riseborough. One may recognize Ms. Cornish as Sir Walter
Raleigh’s lover in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Elizabeth was played by Cate
Blanchett).
The film is visually stunning with scenes from around the
world tracing Wallis & Edward’s footsteps throughout their life together. The viewer is taken on a romantic journey of
their love affair. All of this is tied
together with a magnificent soundtrack by Abel Korzeniowski.
Incidentally, the obsession Edward has with Wallis closely
resembles Henry VIII’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn. While Edward abdicated his throne, Henry
broke away from Rome; both claiming their wives and the women they loved.
