“Firebrand,” based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s 2012 novel, “Queen’s Gambit,” takes place in 1546, as Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), the sixth wife of King Henry VIII (Jude Law), attempts to keep her head on her shoulders (literally) after rumors of conspiracy and heresy besiege the queen consort. Directed by Brazilian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz, the Tudor drama keeps you on the edge of your seat as deception runs rampant in the revisionist film that resembles a political thriller with exquisite costumes and stellar performances.
The film’s title, ‘Firebrand, ‘is a fitting descriptor for Katherine, who carefully manages her public image in front of the right people, especially Henry. However, behind the scenes, she engages in a secret friendship with childhood friend Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a Protestant reformer and poet whose fiery rhetoric stirs the desire for change: “We must rise up and take what is ours!” This tension between public and private personas adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative.
The noble-born Anne, upset with the King’s act making it illegal for the Bible to be read in English by “the lower sortes” (women and the poor), is seen preaching to a large group in the woods, “It is not for those above us to tell us what to believe!” Katherine, appointed Regent while Henry is off fighting the French, visits Anne, offering her a valuable piece of jewelry gifted to her by Henry to sell so she can flee before Henry returns and has her arrested.
Jude Law portrays Henry as a grotesque, maniacal tyrant. In one scene, we see a writhing heap of maggots in his rotting leg and later a shot of his huge rump while he engages with Vikander in the most unerotic sex scene ever filmed. FYI, Law’s transformation included padding, prosthetics, and a body double for the cheeky segment. The English actor is a hoot as he chews up the scenery.
While Henry seems to be the clearcut “villain” in the story, the title belongs to Bishop Stephen Gardiner (Simon Russell Beale), the wicked clergyman who slithers in the shadows, poising the King against his wife with accusations of heresy. “We trusted you, Katherine,” he states, adding, “And you’re flirting with the radicals; it could endanger the stability of this realm.” The conservative Church of England leader and Henry’s right-hand man would love to see Katherine suffer the same fate as the King’s previous wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.
The supporting cast includes solid performances by Eddie Marsan as Prince Edward Seymour, the eldest surviving brother of Henry’s third wife Jane Seymour, who serves as protector to nephew Edward (Patrick Buckley), future King of England and Ireland. And Sam Riley plays Thomas Seymour, whose affection for Katherine plays a minor role in the film. It’s not shown, but Thomas and Katherine were courting at the time that Henry proposed. How could she say no to the King? We also meet teenage Elizabeth (Junia Rees), who serves as narrator; her close relationship with Katherine is highlighted in the story.
There’s a lot to consume here in such a short amount of time. Those familiar with Tudor history will benefit the most from Karim Aïnouz’s vigorous biopic. The costumes by talented designer Michael O’Connor, whose work can be seen in “Ammonite,” “Jane Eyre,” and “The Duchess,” are elegant and authentic to the period.
Alicia Vikander is, first and foremost, the reason to see “Firebrand.” The Swedish actress fully commits to the role, delivering a restrained performance that adds depth to Katherine Parr’s character without relying on backstory to fill in the blanks. Through her portrayal, we get to know a woman who is brave, intelligent, compassionate, and adept at handling delicate situations. Add “tightrope-walker” to her Wikipedia page, preferably after “the last of the six wives of King Henry VIII.”
(3 stars)
Now showing in theaters
se history lesson ripe with betrayal as “Firebrand”
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