MovieChat Forums > Belle (2014) Discussion > When the painting is revealed

When the painting is revealed

posted 9 years ago by creole_femme
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I cry every single time. Although, I must admit, I watch the film mostly for the love story between Belle and Mr. Davinier, I always shed a tear when Dido finally sees herself and Elizabeth standing next to each other on canvas. In many ways, this was a love story for Dido and Lord Mansfield--he knew that he loved her like she was created of him and Lady Mansfield, but Dido was not completely sure of her position. We see Lord Mansfield making gestures and accomodations, but Dido misinterpreting them...and that's certainly understandable...I believe though, by the end of the film,that she realized how much he loved her and this was just as much a victory as was the Zong case.

If you can't be good, at least be good at it!

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] KassyL 9 years ago

Yes, she had to struggle with her place in the world so much, she was on the defensive with someone who was her greatest ally. Although, I would have to say Mr. Davinier was probably even more-so as he never felt compelled to acquiesce to the norms of society, in fact was fighting the injustice where her Uncle did play to 'appearances' by not allowing Dido to dine with family and guests, and deeming her unfit for a suitable marriage condemned to the life of an old maid at such a young age.

I cried when the painting was unveiled as well. You could feel the apprehension Dido was bottling up inside her for fear she would appear but a shadow of a servant behind or subservient to a mistress. How both the painter and her Uncle looked at her amazed at the likeness in spirit and form captured by the painting before she even was aware of the cause for their response was excellently played by the actors and timed by the director.

Superb work by Amma Asante
QofH3arts