Watching “Firebrand” was an unexpected experience, especially when Jude Law’s portrayal of Henry VIII made me cringe rather than cheer. Law, embodying a late-stage Henry VIII, is a sight to behold with his corpulent frame and festering leg wound, complete with wriggling maggots. This grotesque depiction, directed by Karim Aïnouz, is perhaps the only element that injects some life into an otherwise dull and historically inaccurate drama.
Based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s 2012 novel “Queen’s Gambit,” “Firebrand” aims to shine a light on Katherine Parr, Henry’s sixth and final wife, played by Alicia Vikander. Parr, the only wife to outlive the notorious king, is portrayed as a studious and devout woman. She hides her Protestant beliefs while advocating for women’s education and the translation of the Bible into English. Her secret support for the poet and Protestant preacher Anne Askew, played by Erin Doherty, nearly leads to her downfall when she is accused of heresy by a scheming bishop, portrayed by Simon Russell Beale.
The film is set in and around Whitehall Palace in 1547, and while it is lavishly costumed, the actors seem trapped by the heavy fabrics and a screenplay that takes liberties with historical facts. A voice-over describes Henry’s kingdom as “blood-soaked” and “plague-ridden,” yet the film shows little of this. Instead, we see a queen whose subdued demeanor suggests she is more concerned with placating a volatile husband than being a firebrand.
There is no doubt that Katherine Parr deserves recognition. However, despite Vikander’s talent, the film fails to do her justice. The narrative is so lackluster that Doherty’s brief but vivid portrayal of Anne Askew leaves a stronger impression, making one question who the film’s title is truly honoring.
“Firebrand” attempts to highlight the significance of Katherine Parr, but it falls short. The film’s meandering plot and somber tone do little to capture the essence of a woman who believed she was chosen by God to influence the king. Instead, it presents a placid queen, overshadowed by a grotesque and paranoid Henry VIII.
