Thanks Heavens we are seeing it in India within a month of its Cannes premiere making us wonder what made the western media write such obituaries about the film.
May be the western media expected something more `real' from Olivier Dahan whose screen biopic of tragic French songstress Edith Piaf "La Vie en Rose" did ring the right bells at Berlin International Film Festival in 2007.
May be the western press didn,t expect another real life inspiration this time the Hollywood actress Grace Kelly from Dahan for this year's Cannes big ticket that also laid the red carpet for Yash Raj Studios debut in international market.
Never the less it is fascinating to see `Grace Of Monaco' is not at all a calamity as a film as the west suggest. In fact it's steeped in beautiful Mediterranean locations, filled with some genuine women virtues where Nicole Kidman rules and dominates the screen all the way in this elaborately designed production.
Set in the 60's `Grace of Monaco' is inspired from the life of Hollywood actress of the 1950s Grace Kelly (played by Kidman) the most wanted American actress of her times meets Prince Rainier III (Tim Roth) during Cannes Festival and a photo shoot turns into a fairy tale love story for Grace who after marriage and kids finds herself struggling for identity.
In her quest to find herself Grace is all set to return back to the silver screen with a comeback offer from Hitchcock in his movie `Marnie'. But the surroundings are not favorable to give Grace her desired light camera and action moments her country is in threat French leader Charles De Gaulle (Andre Penvern)is on the verge of invading Monaco forcing Prince Rainier to frustration.
Experiencing all this Grace stands up to the occasion transforms herself from a `reel' heroine to a `real' life heroine saving Monaco from the threat of France by playing the role of her lifetime as Her Serene Highness.
Yes it will appear farfetched for those who don,t believe in fairy tales but it has its has its share of `real' human pulse when we see a women refusing to be pushed down and standing on her own for her family and her country no matter how superficially she achieves her feet.
Production values are excellent. Nicole Kidman stands out charming all the way giving an outstanding portrayal of Grace frame by frame.
Tim Roth is brilliant. Supporting cast chips in with fabulous support lead by Frank Langella as father Francis playing Grace's philosopher plus guide and Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Alfred Hitchcock.
Conclusion: Grace Of Monaco although fictional but its an inspirational tale of a woman who when pushed aside bounces back to stand for her love, her family and her country. Recommended for its sheer universal women virtues fascinatingly portrayed by Nicole Kidman.
Rating ****
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