Movie Review-----W./E.

Madonna should have used a nom de plume. I am convinced that if the critics didn't know that Madonna was responsible for the direction and for co-writing the screenplay to W./E., it would have had a fighting chance with audiences. Tonight, I sat with relatively low expectations to watch this glossy ensemble drama and two hours later, I was elated and quite moved by it. The film juxtaposes the lives of famous divorcee Wallis Simpson and Wally Winthrop, a 1990s housewife. As Wally attends an exhibit at Sothebys highlighting artifacts from the infamous affair and marriage between Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII, the film flashes back to tell the story of how the famous couple met, fell in love and stayed married until his death in 1972. The contemporary story deals with Wally's realization that her marriage of comfort is no way to exist, especially when a handsome Russian security guard from Sotheby's begins paying her a little extra attention. The performances are wonderful all around, especially Andrea Riseborough as Wallis Simpson. She is mesmerizing. Oscar Isaac makes an impression as the compassionate Sotheby's employee and Abbie Cornish is gorgeous and convincing as a conflicted contemporary housewife second guessing everything in her life. The cinematography is wonderful, the music score is lush and romantic, and the costumes are beautiful. Madonna's work as a Director and a Screenwriter is without flaw, in my opinion. Until you hear her singing voice over the end credits, it's easy to forget that Madonna's hand is anywhere near the film. I think critic's claws were out for her from the beginning and because of that, people avoided W./E. and continue to. But I implore you to give it a try. It is romantic, compelling, and ultimately heartbreaking. I immediately went to Amazon after watching it and ordered it to own. Simply loved it.