Film Review – FIREBRAND: Alicia Vikander and Jude Law Deliver Impressive Performances in a Somber Dramatic Film [Tribeca 2024]

Firebrand Review

Firebrand (2023) Film Review from the 23rd Annual Tribeca Film Festival, a movie directed by Karim Aïnouz, written by Henrietta Ashworth, Jessica Ashworth and Elizabeth Fremantle and starring Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Beale, Erin Doherty, Ruby Bentall, Bryony Hannah, Mia Threapleton, Amr Waked, Patsy Ferran, Junia Rees, Paul Tinto, Edward Harrison, Anna Mawn, Ashleigh Reynolds, Ian Drysdale and Julian Clapton.

Director Karim Aïnouz’s hugely ambitious Firebrand has all the markings of an epic historical film but for its dark themes, despite the fine acting, the audience may feel a bit distanced from the material at hand. This film focuses on Katherine Parr (Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander in a commanding performance) during the time she was together with (and away from) King Henry VIII (the terrific Jude Law, almost impossible to recognize here). This picture operates on a grand scale for quite a while until its ambitions later on seem to become slightly more conventional than was expected. The latter scenes in the picture offer viewers intensive character development, though, and it’s to Vikander and Law’s credit that their performances include some of the best, most forceful, work these stars have ever done.

Parr was the sixth wife of Henry VIII. Her first name has been spelled with a ‘C’ at the beginning of it as well. History buffs probably know that Henry VIII’s previous wives met untimely and devastating fates which put Parr in a challenging position. She was the last wife of the King and that’s partly why this movie exists as it does. While the King is away, she’s more than up to the task of handling Henry’s affairs but she’s aware of her actual place in society, thanks to Henry VIII’s formidable personality.

Alicia Vikander takes this role and runs with it, scoring a major career victory in regards to her mature and nuanced acting. Jude Law is fierce and unpredictable as he chews the scenery in his larger-than-life turn as the King who starts to become impaired by his physical ailments. Parr seemed like the perfect match for Henry VIII because she would definitely keep him wondering which way their relationship would turn next.

The supporting cast is more than up to the task of elevating this material to higher levels than the film actually attains as a whole. Erin Doherty takes top honors in terms of the supporting players with her complex role as Katherine’s friend, Anne Askew, who is rebellious and vocal regarding how she thinks religious values should factor into political views. Parr takes some enormous risks for Anne and the bond between these two characters is intriguingly told. Junia Rees makes a perfect Princess Elizabeth and does the most possible with her screen time. Simon Russell Beale doesn’t disappoint either as a Bishop with a hidden agenda of his own. Beale’s performance is a major stand-out in a film that is dark, somber and solemn and, therefore, not easily accessible to those who don’t know their history or aren’t willing to make an effort to keep all the characters’ intentions straight.

Some performances get the job done but aren’t as strong as some of the others. Sam Riley has a role as Thomas Seymour, a close friend of Parr’s and the usually reliable Eddie Marsan gets some moments to perform well as Thomas’s brother but both actors’ performances end up feeling like some of their screen time was unfairly snipped out of the final movie, for whatever reason.

Vikander in the title role could have been a contender to be nominated for another Oscar but the quality of the movie as a whole makes it more frustrating to watch than it should have been which could work against her. Ditto for Law too. Vikander emulates skillful poise as her character stands on pins and needles throughout as an uncertain future awaits her. Parr was a woman of integrity despite any flaws she may have had. It was reported that Michelle Williams was once selected for this role but the way Vikander plays it, it’s a performance that is hard to imagine anyone else doing. It’s a truly admirable character creation. Law plays a figure who is fading from society one day at a time both mentally and physically but his ultimate fate is soon coming. While experiencing the way King Henry VIII harshly judged those surrounding him, the audience gets to see the nature of his reign.

Firebrand is a pretty good film in certain sections but it’s ultimately too gloomy, devastating and bleak to be as strong as its two central performances. This major flaw here has nothing to do with the picture’s production design but rather with the film’s overall tone and dialogue. History connoisseurs may also analyze the film under a microscope and learn the film works better as entertainment than as an accurate history lesson. But, that entertainment value the movie possesses is lessened by the overall dark nature of the picture. If you are a Law fan or a Vikander fan, the picture will definitely have more appeal.

Rating: 6.5/10

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