Mary Queen of Scots

Director Josie Rourke's debut feature benefits from feminist themes, laudable performances by Ronan and Robbie, and beautiful production design, but the film is also long -- and feels it. Rourke is the artistic director of Britain's prestigious Donmar Warehouse theater, and it's easy to see the influence of the stage in Mary Queen of Scots. The movie feels Shakespearean at times, with its court intrigue, romantic dalliances, and impassioned monologues. And Ronan, one of the most versatile and gifted actresses of her generation, is well-cast and surrounded by talented supporting actors.

But good performances alone don't make a movie great. There's not much humor here, and the pacing can be so uneven that it crosses the line between contemplative into just plain slow. The big scene in the third act when the two queens finally face off is well-intentioned in its artistry, but it takes a while to get to the payoff: a heated exchange between Mary and Elizabeth, both of whom seem to wish they weren't beholden to the powerful men in their inner circles. This encounter supposedly didn't take place in real life, but it's the one scene audiences will be waiting for, so it's hard to fault Rourke for including it, imagined or no. While Mary Queen of Scots isn't nearly as memorable as The Favourite, as costume dramas go, it's worth seeing for the leading performances.