I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the 18th Century was not the ideal time for a person of color in an Anglo country. Of course, it didn’t improve much by the 19th Century, either. Or the 20th. Or 21st. I guess there are grades. And there are grades to the African-American or African-European existence during different points in history. It sucks to be a slave, yes, but even where there isn’t slavery, that doesn’t make it a picnic.
Belle is a pretty ambitious attempt at PC centuries before PC existed. Mulatto child Dido Elizabeth Belle is found in the traditional London Waif Distict acting as bootblack, chimneysweep, filthpeddler, or some such fool thing. Her white noble father claims and uproots her from all that to become a Charlie’s Angel to an estate of leisure and privilege where she may spend her days wiping her feet on the servants. The transformation from ragamuffin to princess is so dramatic, it’s like there’s a different actress involved. There is, of course. Teen Belle is played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who is a great deal prettier than her name. Her main handlers, the Lord and Lady of the manor (Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson), contemplated the matter thoroughly and chose “Dido” among the girls’ three possible names. The movie went with something different. You tell me, cuz I don’t get it.
This is an interesting take on the whole English noble v. working class theme. Dido’s inclusion among the elite poses several unique problems. While she metaphorically “has a place at the table,” in reality, she actually lacks a place at the table – Dido is neither allowed to eat with the servants (too low), nor her family (too high). Her nobility exists on a unique plane – and yet, she is the one guaranteed a secure future. As her noble father claimed her and then conveniently died, Dido is guaranteed to be rollin’ it forever. This makes for a juicy conflict with her companion cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon). The latter is guaranteed no such fortune as h
as to marry for it. Is Draco Malfoy available? I think he’s got some sugar to his name.
Dido is told early on that she won’t marry. Lord Mansfield believes that any willing to wed would be a match below her station. This is even true when Dido inherits the fortune that would set her for life. There are two consistent and conflicting working themes in Belle — one is of the question of race in society, but another is this unique personal role where our heroine is financially free but socially caged. And there’s a subtle dig there at all modern culture in which greed is prized above all. Will financial freedom drive happiness? Belle says, “no.”
So the set-up here is good, as is the acting, and we hit all the correct PC plot points. Yay. Belle might have been a darn excellent film if it weren’t clear from early on exactly how everything was to unfold. From the moment outsiders first discover the new Mansfields, Dido is gonna end up with somebody as a result of this journey and we’re gonna condemn racism en route. Points for level of difficulty, deductions for execution.
♪Mansion house
It’s a quite villa
Every day
Shut behind the door
Mansion house
Full of belittling people
Dropping by to say:
“Bonjour!”
“You whore!”
and
compli/insults more! ♫
Rated PG, 104 Minutes
D: Amma Asante
W: Misan Sagay
Genre: PC, 18th C. Style
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Privileged pariahs
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Racists
♪ Parody inspired by “Belle”
