Madonna’s W.E to show at London Film Festival

Madonna’s “W.E.” will have its UK premiere at the 55th BFI London Film Festival next month, featuring as part of the festival’s Gala & Special Screenings section in the following dates and venues:

• Sunday, October 23, 19.00, Empire Leicester Square

• Monday, October 24 12:15, Vue Screen 5

For more info please check www.bfi.org.uk.

Madonna directs this rich, elegantly structured story of two women, decades apart, confronting the consequences of desire.

W.E. is a rich, elegantly structured exploration of the connection between two women, decades apart, both confronting the consequences of desire. Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) gave up a promising Manhattan career to marry successful psychoanalyst William (Richard Coyle), but finds herself trapped in loveless marriage. She’s obsessed with Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the intelligent and stylish divorcée who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (James D’Arcy). After Edward abdicated the throne he and Wallis married, but as Duke and Duchess of Windsor they spent the rest of their lives effectively exiled from the UK. Frustrated by her husband’s indifference and inspired by Wallis’ pursuit of love in the face of social disapproval, when Wally meets an intriguing new man (Oscar Isaac), she finds herself drawn to him. Madonna, who directs and co-wrote the screenplay (with Alek Keshishian), strikes a delicate balance between the romantic aspirations of the women and their strength and resilience. Working with a world-class team of collaborators, Madonna also gives us a film that is visually sensuous, without ever lapsing into period drama clichés. Andrea Riseborough and Abbie Cornish confirm their status as two of cinemas’ most talented and exciting young actors, and Oscar Isaac brings a magnetic presence. A work of maturity but far from stuffy, W.E. sees Madonna starting a welcome new chapter in her filmmaking career.

Sandra Hebron