Two Movies to Watch

Belle (image via) This is the story of a young black girl who’s born into the aristocracy in 18th century England. Her father dies when she’s young and she’s taken in by her uncle. She’s raised alongside her cousin who’s around the same age, but the color of her skin prevents her from fully being excepted by the aristocracy. To some, she’s a dirty little secret and others are taken by how “exotic” she is. I thought this was a very touching story and that the lead role was beautifully acted by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. You can see her struggling with the way people view her and trying to find her place in the world. It’s based on a true story and if you enjoy period dramas, I’d definitely recommend that you check this one out.

Beyond the Lights (image via) I watched this movie this past weekend and it’s what inspired me to write this post. It’s a romantic drama and one of the best ones I’ve seen in a while. I was a little skeptical that it would be cliché or over-the-top because of the movie poster, but happily it wasn’t. It’s about Noni, an aspiring pop star. Her songs are climbing the charts and she seems to have it all (fame, money, a posh life), but behind the scenes she’s deeply unhappy. So unhappy that one night, she climbs over a balcony and plans to let go. At the last minute, she’s saved by a cop who’s part of her security detail. I’ve already mentioned that this is a romantic drama, so you can guess where things are headed. Watching these two fall in love is great. They have amazing chemistry and they seem like real people with real feelings. Both of the main characters can convey so much with just a glance. Also, the way the movie portrays fame and celebrity culture seems pretty spot on to me. It really makes you think about it would be like to have every aspect of your life watched and talked about. It’s true that I’m a sucker for romance and maybe I’m just still emotional after the end of Parenthood, but this really pulled at my heartstrings.

Have you seen either of these movies? Also, Gugu Mbatha-Raw has definitely become one to watch in my book. I thought she was brilliant in these two movies and I’m excited to see what she does next.