Mary Queen Of Scots isn’t the movie you think it is

If you believed the marketing for Margot Robbie’s new movie, you’re in a for a surprise. It’s not what you think it is.

If you’ve seen the posters and trailers for Mary Queen Of Scots, you’re probably under the impression that this is a movie about a royal catfight.

And why wouldn’t you — two women competing against each other is a classic, if problematic, narrative. Just look at how much people are lapping up this so-called feud between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.

But that’s not what Mary Queen Of Scots is.

As much as Margot Robbie is all over the marketing, she’s not central to the movie. This movie isn’t about some red-hair-pulling battle of wills between two crowns, not really.

The fight isn’t between them; it’s two women battling against the patriarchy — though not as a united front.

The clue is in the title, and this really is a biopic about the Scottish Queen, with a bit of Elizabeth thrown in for good measure.

Surrounded by a nest of vipers. Picture: John Mathieson/Focus Features

Perhaps that’s unfair. Elizabeth is pivotal in that the complex relationship between her and Mary is one the movie turns to time and again, but it’s probably the weakest part of Mary Queen Of Scots.

Directed by first-timer Josie Rourke and starring Saoirse Ronan, Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, James McArdle and Guy Pearce, Mary Queen Of Scots is a passable historical drama whose odd story choices are saved by a strong performance from Ronan.

In 1561, a widowed 18-year-old Mary returns to Scotland from France, where she’s lived since she was five. A Catholic and a woman, her reign is immediately opposed by the Protestant establishment, including her own half-brother who had been serving as Regent in her absence.

Mary’s return also poses a threat to the unmarried and heirless Protestant Queen of England, Elizabeth. Mary has her own claim to the English throne and Elizabeth’s advisers waste no time in trying to talk their Queen into controlling the younger Mary.

Margot Robbie plays the famous virgin queen. Picture: Liam Daniel/Focus Features

Beau Willimon, best known for penning the US version of House of Cards and The Ides Of March, wrote the screenplay so this film is heavy on political machinations and subterfuge.

At all turns, Mary, despite being clever, bold and in charge, is undermined by men who are threatened, petulant and malicious. This, of course, includes those closest to her.

This is where the film tries to tie together the fates and Mary and Elizabeth — this contrast of two women blessed and burdened with rule that are both trapped in different ways.

But this framework doesn’t work — it’s clumsy and distracting, and driving towards a climactic meeting that historically never happened when it should be focusing its energies on Mary’s story.

At 24, Saoirse Ronan has already been nominated for three Oscars. Picture: Liam Daniel/Focus Features

The intentions were obviously noble, trying to tell what is a modern story through the prism of history and those rare female monarchs.

There are also some strange story beats and scenes that are more formal and melodramatic than necessary, but that could be chalked up to Rourke’s extensive theatre background.

Which is not to say that Mary Queen Of Scots is irredeemable. Ronan really is very good in this and Robbie does what she can. A stunning performance from Ronan, one of the great talents of her generation, can save almost any movie.

Rating: ★★★

Mary Queen Of Scots is in cinemas from today

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