Grace of Monaco (2014)

Waste of time

Sadly Over-hyped

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

This movie has sucked me into watching it twice now and, you guys, I'm mad as hell. The trailer leads you to believe that it will be this dramatic re-telling, albeit largely fictional, of Grace Kelly's life when all it really depicts is one or two inconvenient situations that she was faced with. The first time I watched it I was so disappointed and bored by the end but I decided not to review it because I am a Nicole Kidman fan. But then the unthinkable happened. This movie is so boring that I forgot I'd already seen it before and watched it again only to fall victim to the same torturous boredom AGAIN! Do you see what I'm saying, it's that boring I forgot about it. This movie is 1 hour and 43 minutes of stifling yawns and trying to stay awake all while just waiting patiently for it to get even remotely more interesting. What a let down.

I agreed with the reviewer that there could have been a different title for this film (perhaps "I am Monaco"). However in the final scene I understood why the title fit.When Hitchcock offered Grace one million dollars to play a part in a movie I thought this might have been a plot device where the sum could have gone toward paying off Monaco's debt to help show that even that would not sway the Princess from her new role or that it was such a pittance it could not address the deficit to help understand the severity of the blockade.There were sufficient intrigues without that aspect. The story and portrayals were touching making the film worthy watching. Although I appreciate the negative reviews they did not sway me from enjoying the movie.

Oscar winner Nicole Kidman stars as Hollywood legend, Grace Kelly, in this film about her crisis of marriage and identity- during a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III and France's Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 1960s. I vaguely remember this movie being announced, and then had forgotten about it, and would recently see it on Netflix. I believe this either was not released in the states, or barely got a release here-?? Overall, I'm totally on the fence on this one. Really, I think it plays out as not much more than some mediocre Lifetime TV movie, but does feature some decent performances from Kidman and Tim Roth, and that actor playing Onassis!- he was a hoot! LOL And that dude playing De Gaulle- WOW!- does he look like him!?? Parker Posey and Frank Langella co-star.

No one who watched Grace Kelly's life unfold could question, seeing the expression in her eyes, that she paid a large price for her ascent to royalty. While this movie is dissed roundly, it is often dissed roundly by men, who focus on the historical details (evidently not accurate down to the letter, while I would guess these same men would overlook similar literary license in say, "The Bridge over the River Kwai.") But this is about a woman who had risen to the height of power in Hollywood, and gave it all up for her family and husband. It is very clear that the Monegasques held her hostage, for so shining an actress would clearly step away from her source of creativity and power (financial, creative, you name it) only when forced. I personally have often wondered if Grace's family, with it's famous athleticism and competitiveness, forced her to a height of so-called "achievement" with a brand of snobbery and narrow-mindedness that overlooked her incredible acting talents and achievements in favor of a traditional role - "snaring" the world's greatest single man "catch" of the time- which of course turned into a nightmare. That is what is strongly implied here and this is a wonderful movie of discovery - watching Grace understand that her life is now a permanent movie role, ultimately her acting ability being used to place Monaco on the world stage. Whether or not Grace was instrumental in somehow saving Monaco from French aggression, this emotional journey rings true. It is the story, really, of every woman who either chooses to or is forced to subsume her own worldly ambitions for home and family, and the price that she pays. A price that men often cannot even recognize, even in the movies. Bravo to Nicole Kidman for this sensitive portrayal of the princess held captive in her castle, choked by her diamonds and weighted by her tiara. Keep them (the men desiring to lock us women up, breeding and smiling) squirming!