Movie Review: Mary Queen of Scots

Allison and I are starting off 2019 strong - we've already seen a movie! After a rough second half to 2018, I don't think we'll see many Oscar contenders this year, but we've decided that isn't necessarily a bad thing since a lot of them time those movies aren't really our style, ha. We kicked off 2018 with Mary Queen of Scots.

Plot: Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.

Review: I remember approximately 0% of this period in history, so I was really invested in this movie. It was really well-made, Allison and I both commented on the make-up {specifically Elizabeth's}, costumes, sets, etc. The plot was so crazy, it's hard to believe that it was largely real - it played out like a soap opera! I felt a little confused at the beginning but quickly got into the story and was on the edge of my seat many times. It's also led into a lot of reading by both Allison and me and some podcast listening to delve into the complicated lives of these cousins - 2 female queens living in a time ruled by men - FASCINATING STUFF. One thing we both found interesting was that Mary had a valid claim to the throne and, to many, one that preceded Elizabeth's. Allison discovered that every King or Queen of England since Elizabeth has actually been a descendant of Mary's and not Elizabeth's. Overall, I'd say we both really enjoyed this movie. If you like history or period pieces or spy and intrigue stories, you'll like this - it's got a little bit of everything!