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Blu-ray Review: Jodie Comer Is Fierce In “The White Princess”

[yasr_overall_rating]
 

Based on the Philippa Gregory book of the same name, the story of Elizabeth of York, the White Queen’s daughter, and her marriage to the Lancaster Victor, Henry VII.

With the death of King Richard III and the marriage between the newly crowned King Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy) and Princess Elizabeth “Lizzie” of York (Jodie Comer) (daughter of Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville (Essie Davis)), marks the beginning of the end of the War of Roses, with the Houses of York and Lancaster now tied together by a royal marriage. It is a marriage instantly fraught with trust issues, which is no surprise. Henry and Lizzie do as they are told, they have no say. As long as Lizzie is able to conceive, the marriage is as good as gold, or rather it must appear so. Much like its predecessor, “The White Princess” (based on the novel by Philippa Gregory), centers on the points of view of the women involved. It particularly focuses on what lengths mothers will go to for their children (for better or worse). It’s an interesting dynamic, and in the case of “The White Princess,” it’s interesting to see how the offspring of the opposing mothers develop both together and independently amongst the tension; to see the eventual snipping of the puppet strings.

My only complaint about both “The White Princess,” and the previous series, “The White Queen,” is that there’s a timidity about them. They are just one shade shy of being what I want them to be. There’s an element missing, an element I can’t quite put my finger on, that prevents them from crossing the barrier between “these actors are putting on a good show” and “shit, did that just happen!?!” The acting is too felt and can be hard to get past at times. But with that said, Jodie Comer does an excellent job as Princess Elizabeth “Lizzie” of York, especially in the latter half of the series. Her character develops wonderfully from an angsty-teen looking to please her mother to a steely queen who has carved out a place for herself, cutting ties from those who previously pulled the puppet strings.

Witnessing the transformation from York Princess to Tudor Queen is the most satisfying element of “The White Princess.” Comer’s posture, dress, and speech ages with her, insidiously so, and it’s pleasantly alarming once the metamorphosis is realized. Two other characters that feel fully realized in this mini-series are Margaret “Maggie” Plantagenet played by Rebecca Benson and Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy played by Joanne Whalley. Whalley brings forth a subtle demented quality to the Duchess, looking at her onscreen can give you chills. And Benson has a constant look of worry sewn onto her face. Never does her brow unknit nor her eyes release their pleading. Comer, Whalley, and Benson keep the blood pumping and the tension expertly taut in the series. Everyone else merely makes their roles passable.

“The White Princess” is slow moving at the start but unfolds in the latter half with something more believable. If you can get through the adolescent stumbling in the beginning, the series ends on a satisfying note. Aside from the performances of Comer, Whalley, and Benson, the costumes alone are worth giving the mini-series a gander. And I definitely recommend it for those who will feel the void that “Game of Thrones” leaves after the end of this season. “The White Princess,” (and “The White Queen,” if you haven’t already seen it) may help alleviate those “GOT” withdrawal symptoms.

Available on Blu-ray & DVD Tuesday, August 29th

 

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