Wallis and Edward: At it again

Reviewer: James van Maanen
Rating (out of 5): **½

It seems as though we just can't get enough of these two lovebirds: everyone's favorite multiple divorcee and the man who wouldn't be king. Or at least the English can't get enough: Wallis & Edward comes to us via British television. While you've seen this all before, either with Mrs. Simpson and her Abdicator as main characters (1978s Edward and Mrs. Simpson), as minor obtrusions (2002s Bertie and Elizabeth), or even as leads in their very own (sort-of) documentary (1965s A King's Story), you've probably never quite seen 'em like this: Wallis rubbing an ice cube over Edward's bare chest. (This does not, oddly enough, bring his nipple to attention: Could this be due to fake ice from the prop room or faux feelings in the actors?)

In any case, it's TV "soap" time again, with the Royal Family standing in for the usual "lessers" we encounter in this sort of prime time melodrama. And if we do get somewhat involved in the tug of war between family, lovers and politicians, it's due more to the fine actors than to the so-so teleplay (which leaves out character and history--surprise!--to concentrate on romance) or workmanlike direction that gets us economically from here to there. Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck) does a decent Wallis and Stephen Campbell Moore (Bright Young Things, The History Boys) makes a pleasant enough Edward, but don't look for much depth beyond the moment-to-moment veracity. Better are Margaret Tyzack as the Queen Mother, a nearly unrecognizable David Calder (from the BBC series Bramwell) as Winston Churchill, Miriam Margolyes, veteran of many a British costume drama, as Wallis' aunt, and Richard Johnson as Stanley Baldwin. Best of all is Bill Champion, quite moving as brother Bertie.

I suppose this DVD release is due to the success of The Queen and the ongoing middle-class rapture regarding royalty. We do get to feast our eyes on some pretty scenery (one particular room--gorgeous white furniture against blond wood floors--is breathtaking), though it might have been interesting to give us a moment or two of Wallis' Nazi leanings, rather than a silly man-of-the-people scene that has Edward bonding with the working class over a young boy's football. But that would be too much to ask from a TV movie that puts passion and romance way ahead of just about everything else.