Grace of Monaco

French Director Olivier Dahan has taken artistic licence to heart with Grace of Monaco, played by a plastic Nicole Kidman.

The film is set six years after Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Rainier III (Tim Roth). While Monaco struggles with political tension with France, unsurprisingly Kelly finds herself caught between her royal duties and the temptation of returning to Hollywood.

Although a potentially interesting story, the screenplay by Arash Amel, coupled with Dahan’s direction, creates a film that is heavy-handed and needlessly glamourised. They suggest the conflict with France is partly due to the controversy surrounding Kelly, which only serves to diminish her personal conflict. Kidman remains one-dimensional, relying heavily on close-ups of her tear-stained face. (ATS)

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