ROBERT THE BRUCE: Braveheart Without The Heart
What distinguishes Robert the Bruce from the other warriors you read about in history class was his classiness. His amiable virtue. Robert Gary’s dramatization makes him all that and more. The problem is his lack of tenderness and warmth. If I wanted a history lesson without personality, I would have unzipped the moldy backpacks in my garage.
The story opens in the snowbound hills of Scotland. That corresponds to the frigid setting of the classic that this is a sequel to – Braveheart, which also starred Angus Macfadyen as the king, had the heart of a lion and the roar of Mel Gibson. The hero here simply whimpers. That’s because it’s 1307; a time when the king was missing and the crown was up for grabs Game of Thrones style. While the rivers run red with blood, Bruce is on the perdurable run from perfunctory Scot’s with bad haircuts. They are after the sizable bounty on his head and will stop at nothing to get it.
Beautiful But Shallow
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Nowhere is there the nobility and adventure that made Bruce an almighty figure. Nothing in Macfayden’s script, which was co written by Eric Belgau, hints at the emotion under the scruffy beard. You might expect a character study about someone who has lost his family and country, but that’s not Gary’s way. He’s more concerned with making an epic on a small scale.
Still, the two share some romantic interludes that help heighten the drama. Should she be helping the king? After all, her brother was killed fighting opposite of Bruce and her step brother is after the bounty as we speak. But that after all soon becomes an afterthought. Of course she’s going to help him recover the crown jewels and his family jewels. This is a movie about one’s obligation to their country, as well as the endless power struggle between faith and fragility.
Power Struggle
The whole film plays like a power struggle. On the one hand this is sumptuously shot, and the folkloric score makes for a nice dance partner with the striking images. On the other hand, this could use some serious bolts of energy. Things move slowly in 1307. With the occasional skirmish placed for filler, even the rising body count won’t spike your interest.
The most interesting thing about Robert the Bruce isn’t actually what’s on camera but what’s off. The cinema chain Cinemaworld previously banned the picture at their theaters near Scotland for unknown reasons. Having seen the film I suspect they were insulted by the sloppy accents from American actors. Or perhaps the sloppy pacing and editing.
Robert the Bruce: Conclusion
Have you seen Robert the Bruce? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Robert the Bruce was released in the UK on June 28, 2019. For all international release dates, see here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkFj6VTenkQ
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