Mary Shelley

Name: Mary Shelley
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Released: May 25, 2018
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Bel Powley, Ben Hardy, Ciara Charteris, Douglas Booth, Elle Fanning

2018

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Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Ratings

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Mary Shelley

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: May 25, 2018 | PG-13

Starring: Bel Powley, Ben Hardy, Ciara Charteris, Douglas Booth, Elle Fanning, Hugh O'Conor, Joanne Froggatt, Maisie Williams, Stephen Dillane, Tom Sturridge

Summary: She will forever be remembered as the writer who gave the world Frankenstein. But the real life story of Mary Shelley—and the creation of her immortal monster—is nearly as fantastical as her fiction. Raised by a renowned philosopher father (Stephen Dillane) in 18th-century London, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Elle Fanning) is a teenageShe will forever be remembered as the writer who gave the world Frankenstein. But the real life story of Mary Shelley—and the creation of her immortal monster—is nearly as fantastical as her fiction. Raised by a renowned philosopher father (Stephen Dillane) in 18th-century London, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Elle Fanning) is a teenage dreamer determined to make her mark on the world when she meets the dashing and brilliant poet Percy Shelley (Douglas Booth). So begins a torrid, bohemian love affair marked by both passion and personal tragedy that will transform Mary and fuel the writing of her Gothic masterwork. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Haifaa Al-Mansour

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 120 min

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Critic Reviews

Deborah Young

Mary Shelley is a luscious-looking spectacle, drenched in the colors and visceral sensations of nature, the sensuality of young lovers, the passionate disappointment of loss and betrayal. But above all it is a film about ideas that breaks out of the well-worn mold of period drama (partly, anyway) by reaching deeply into the mind of the extraordinary woman who wrote the Gothic evergreen Frankenstein. Read full review

A.O. Scott

May 24, 2018

This account is plausible and moving, at once a defense of genre fiction and of female creativity. But at times the differences between male and female writers can seem a bit schematic, in a way that undermines Mary’s intellectual autonomy. Read full review

Katie Walsh

May 24, 2018

The film celebrates Mary Shelley for the trailblazing woman that she is, but hews far too close to convention to truly represent her life. Read full review

Andrew Barker

Impressively shot and suffused with a righteous feminist fire, the film is undercut by a confused and clunky script and a fundamental lack of thematic focus, turning an extraordinary story into didactic and disjointed melodrama. Read full review

Richard Roeper

May 31, 2018

Even when Mary finally gets her due, the film badly fumbles the moment. Read full review

Jake Cole

Apr 4, 2018

In its final act, the film abandons its fruitful investigation of belief systems in favor of a simplistic articulation of Mary's inspiration. Read full review

The Playlist Kevin Jagernauth

A film desperately in need of an electric charge, Mary Shelley is simply another cinematic corpse on the table. Read full review

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User Reviews

GinaK

Jun 11, 2018

I really enjoyed this film, partly because it does a very good job of re-creating one of my favorite periods in British Literature – that of the Romantic poets (Byron and Shelley in particular) – without being too serious and scholarly (and dull). It also provides an interesting take on howI really enjoyed this film, partly because it does a very good job of re-creating one of my favorite periods in British Literature – that of the Romantic poets (Byron and Shelley in particular) – without being too serious and scholarly (and dull). It also provides an interesting take on how the novel “Frankenstein” came to be written. As an extra added treat, it also brings some insight into the origins of Bram Stoker’s Dracula via the publication of “Der Vampyr.” The film is reasonably accurate, is extremely well-made (acted, directed, etc.), and is just a lot of fun. Ella Fanning is particularly impressive since she gives a lively performance of a difficult role – she makes Mary Shelley a believable human being in the middle of a period movie and creates someone today’s audience can understand and sympathize with.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

donrene

Jun 3, 2018

for the life of me I do not understand how this movie did not score high with the critics. I can only guess that some were expecting to see a monster movie. LOL... this has been the best version of Mary's writing of her book. To be quite frank, I super loved this movie and it had me glued tofor the life of me I do not understand how this movie did not score high with the critics. I can only guess that some were expecting to see a monster movie. LOL... this has been the best version of Mary's writing of her book. To be quite frank, I super loved this movie and it had me glued to the screen the whole time. It brought much more insight into her life and how the book came to be. I super highly recommend this movie.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I found this an engrossing, somewhat chilling watch. The titular character is an interesting person, who is very observant and makes some witty remarks (one example of which being the exchange with another 'are you not cold Mary?' and her response? 'my hypocricy keeps me warm') I wasn't aware of the life of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, later Shelley. There are some sad situations depicted and it was quite good in terms of providing a spooky feel, with instrumental music played somberly in the background. There is also a feel of mystery present which I liked too.

Quite a lot of the dialogue (although certainly not all of it) is somewhat poetic, with characters taking some time to choose their words eloquently. This gives it a sort of grand feel. If you like period dramas, then this may well appeal. Some of the settings are a little more humble than the most lavish of period dramas but I found it a good watch and really quite engrossing regardless. I liked that some characters appeared to be surprisingly honest and open about things.

There is an element of sexism or perhaps misogyny present, sadly but then I suppose that only reflects the time that the events were to have taken place in. I have little doubt that a female writer of such a dark story as Frankenstein would have had difficulties finding a pig publishing company prepared to take it on with her as the author.

I'd recommend this film to anyone interested, as I found the story interesting, although it may be a little long and bland in parts if your keen on constant action based films, its not that kind of film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AngelSantos

Jul 25, 2018

A godd performance from Elle Fanning but this period drama falls realy flat, compared to the creativity and the life of Shelly her self

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Slovenly_Muse

Oct 7, 2018

A competent film that, unfortunately, shies away from the most radical, progressive, challenging, and interesting aspects of Shelley's life, contenting itself instead to portray her as a mostly conventional girl, caught up as a sort of victim of her acquaintances' unconventional practicesA competent film that, unfortunately, shies away from the most radical, progressive, challenging, and interesting aspects of Shelley's life, contenting itself instead to portray her as a mostly conventional girl, caught up as a sort of victim of her acquaintances' unconventional practices and thereby suffering for her art. In this film, Shelley is mostly defined by her relationship to Percy, and the publication of her first and most famous novel is seen as the end of her story, rather than the beginning.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Jun 30, 2018

It's a well done drama but it is also very conventional and boring.
Elle Fanning is taking challenges in diverse roles but she's taking them in mediocre films that won't do much for her name and career.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

duddy5698

Jul 23, 2018

The Positive:
Acting
Cinematography Well-made

The Negative:
Bleak
Boooooooooooooooooooooooring

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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