Tudor Tale Never Fully Reaches Its Potential

Fans of historical dramas may appreciate the spin screenwriters Henrietta Ashworth, Jessica Ashworth, and Rosanne Flynn make in their revisionist period piece, Firebrand. The film attempts to offer a more feminist depiction of Katherine Parr (also known as Catherine or Kateryn Parr), the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII. But even with Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) and Oscar-nominee Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley) as royals, there’s not enough majesty to hold this story up.

Directed by Karim Aïnouz (Madame Satã), the film does, however, paint a realistic portrait of 16th century England, and between its stunning set pieces, exceptional cinematography, vibrant art direction, and costumes, there’s enough to keep you curious, even though the film leaves you wanting more.

The problem lies in Firebrand’s uneven focus. If we’re promised a period piece that tells us early on that “we must draw our own, often wild, conclusions” about historical events, and the film we’re about to watch is touted as a showcase for the strength of Katherine Parr as she attempts to secure her own survival against an ailing manic king, then show us a strong Katherine Parr, not somebody continuously having to react to her husband’s moods. Good news: Vikander and Law are marvelous, turning in compelling performances. If only the script worked in their favor.

Firebrand Portrays a Queen and Her King in Flux

Firebrand

2.5/5

Firebrand is a historical thriller that follows Katherine Parr, King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, who finds herself in grave danger when her husband returns from an evangelical campaign of carnage and conquest. With her childhood friend accused of treason and executed, Parr fights for survival against a king that continues to veer down the path of a tyrant.

Release Date June 14, 2024

Director Karim Ainouz

Runtime 2h

Writers Henrietta Ashworth , Jessica Ashworth , Rosanne Flynn

Studio(s) Brouhaha Entertainment , Magnolia Mae Films

Distributor(s) Neon

Pros

• Alicia Vikander and Jude Law are absolutely excellent and mesmerizing.
• The costume and set design is beautifully done.

Cons

• Firebrand feels shallow, failing to delve into Katherine Parr’s motivations or mindset with any depth.
• Firebrand plays it relatively safe and never really picks up momentum.

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The story takes into the mid-1500s when Katherine Parr is named regent while the tyrant king is battling abroad. The film’s first 25 minutes reveals what Katherine is up against as the men in the king’s court strut and exert their power. She has other ideas, some that require a bit of coaxing for approval.

Katherine’s desire to break free from the Catholic Church and assure that bibles are published in English so that churchgoers can form their own interpretations shines through, yet there’s hardly enough creative runway to truly capture Parr’s purported verve. That’s because when King Henry returns, he brings with him a flurry of problems — fatigue, ailing health, paranoia. It immediately shifts the focus of the film.

It’s delightful to see Katherine’s friendship with Anne Askew (Erin Doherty in fine form), a beloved poet who backed the English Reformation, but the filmmakers don’t showcase that with the kind of depth or intrigue that would have allowed us to understand Katherine’s inner workings more broadly. Katherine tells Anne that the reason she’s with the king is because she was chosen by God to influence him. There’s no deeper reflection on that — perhaps a flashback would have revealed how something that big could shift a person’s entire purpose in life. It’s smoothed over here.

Related: Best Series About the Tudor Dynasty

King Henry’s ongoing health issues figure prominently. At times, members of his court must hold their breath or force back a dry heave because of the foul stench the man gives off. All this from, in part, his rotting leg. As the film moves along and various players are tossed into the mix while the issue of English Reformation plays out, the story we’re shown is one of whether King Henry can trust Katherine. This was the man, after all, who ordered the executions of two of his six wives: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. It’s not irrational for Katherine to fear she could experience a similar fate.

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The Actors Turn in Excellent Performances

Still, with all that, there’s something mesmerizing about watching Vikander and Law in their roles. Law is a commanding presence and brings to this version of King Henry VIII a kind of raw vulnerability; a man fading, but fully determined to keep as much of a grip as he can on the things he once controlled. Take delight in watching Jude Law’s Henry famously grumble his way through several scenes. Vikander, wonderfully talented, captures this version of Katherine with a kind of grace grounded in conviction. She shines, but she deserves more from the script she’s given.

Related: The Best Portrayals of Kings in Movies, Ranked

The film is also buoyed by a supporting cast that includes Eddie Marsan and Sam Riley, who play brothers Edward and Thomas Seymour, respectively, Katherine’s allies, and the memorable Russell Beale, morphing into Stephen Gardiner, a Catholic bishop. Collectively, the actors, the backdrop, and the set pieces create a vibrant kaleidoscope of the Tudor period, and it’s a suitable adaptation of Elizabeth Fremantle’s prominent historical novel, The Queen’s Gambit, but you tend to feel there should have been more offered.

A Lack of Excitement and Fulfilled Potential

This is especially the case during the latter part of the film, where there’s a lack of build-up to some kind of climax that would have enlivened the movie overall. By this point, Katherine has already become pregnant, a kind of saving grace as it thwarts the king’s suspicions. Naturally, everybody is hoping for a boy.

Compelling at times and driven by its two fine leads, Firebrand may not hit its ultimate potential, but two powerhouse performances are enough to warrant a look into this story. Though you may wish for a bolder or more unique look at the woman (and women) behind King Henry VIII, and when Hollywood might make a film version of the award-winning Broadway musical, Six, which showcased King Henry’s six wives in such vibrant regal fashion. Until that happens, Firebrand is a well-cast apéritif. Firebrand hits theaters June 14. Watch the trailer below.

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