"Belle": Beautifully Tells the Ugly Story of European Slavery (No spoilers)

The only difficulty with Belle is where to start. Pivotal social issues of race, rigid social structure, women's rights, and slavery are delicately and artfully balanced within a textured coming of age and love story. The movie begins with the obvious contrast. Belle's father, an English aristocrat, claims her from the slums of London. Moments later, we are immersed in a country estate rivaling Downton Abbey. Dido (her given name) is quickly accepted into the family and grows up fully enjoying the trappings of the good life.

Dido, portrayed by the stunning English actress, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, is layered and interesting. She is completely believable as an 18^th century English aristocrat and also reveals a complex and emotional performance as the child of a slave. Her gradual awakening to the miseries of the slave trade and the vagaries of her own social

 position as a person of color are portrayed authentically and consistently.

Tom Wilkinson offers a heavy weight performance as Lord Mansfield,  Lord Chief Justice of England and Dido's uncle,  his love and protection of Dido paralleled with his duty to execute judgment in the case of the Zong, a slave ship insurance fraud case.

The performances of all the actors don't merely provide support but stand on their own as individual accomplishments bringing pointed and fresh dialogue to the social issues at hand and infusing the major plotlines with unexpected perspective.

This movie while being extremely well written, directed, and acted in its own right offers a creative counter weight to “12 Years A Slave.” We finally get to see the extent of European complicity in the slave trade and the impact of England's legal directives on African slavery. Also, the appearance of Blacks in the English courtrooms provides a glimpse into the active role that former slaves and freeman played in abolishing slavery and impacting global slave laws (including America's Fugitive Slave Law). Some may believe that Dido's mixed-race parentage was an isolated incident, but to do so only denies history and perpetuates the tragedy that more of these movies haven't been made before now.

I can't overemphasize the importance and quality of this movie. The story is monumental. It compels and immediately demands further research, discussion, and retrospection. It doesn't “tell” a story as much as it immerses you in their lives and thoughts and hearts. I would do this movie a severe injustice if I revealed more of the plot.

This movie is unequivocally 5 stars. Every emotional note is plucked without resorting to convention. Every character utters complex and interesting dialogue, worthy of 2^nd and 3^rd viewings. The costuming is as detailed and beautiful as Coppolla's Marie Antoinette. Most importantly, the historical accuracy and meaning of this movie as a pivotal shift in the narrative of slave movies cannot be overstated. Please insist on seeing it for yourself.

Also contact Fox Searchlight Pictures if this movie is not playing in your area.