Jill McCracken

I was so excited for a film on Catherine Parr. I understand it's not a documentary, and based on a novel. I was thrilled to see era correct costuming, foods, customs...the attention to detail is incredible! There's so poetic license, but the angst between traditional and reformers is well done. The acting superb. And then... The last 15 minutes ruined everything. What a shame.

I wanted to love it so badly. Some aspects are done well; the respect for the Osage, truth to details, the evil hidden in plain sight. But, truth is, it slow, long and boring. How this story could be boring, with murders, conspiracy, and a love story... I'm bewildered. But, there you are. The acting is very good, the script sluggish. There's just no..intensity.

Intelligent, real, with details that keep you sharp,and twists you can't see coming, but are satisfying.

A tortured mess. How anyone could watch is beyond me. I love a good psychological film, delving into the depths. But this? Whoa, this just left me wondering WTH? Where is the actual dialogue? The heavy music, strings that annoy .. how irritating. I only gave it a 2 due to Kristen Stewart doing the absolute best she could, spinning, walking fast, dressing, undressing. Spend the 2 hours doing so etching fun.

Having not read the books, it's quite a task deciphering what is going on as nothing is ever explained to the audience. It's assumed you read the series, so..eh, why bother with actually explaining who anyone is, what's the difference between the magical groups, blues and reds- episode 4, no idea. It's pretty, well acted. I'd just just like to be "in" on the story. Utterly frustrating. Exposition storytelling component is forgotten entirely.