MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS | FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS

"MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS"
(2018) (Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie) (R)

QUICK TAKE:: Drama: The Queen of Scotland contends with various forms of dissension and opposition as she tries to have herself named the rightful heir to be the queen of England, a role now occupied by her cousin who tries to undermine those efforts.

PLOT:

It's 1561 and Mary Stuart (SAOIRSE RONAN) has returned to Scotland to reclaim her position as supreme monarch following her brief role as queen consort of France until her husband's death. Now a 19-year-old widow, Mary believes that she's the rightful heir to be the queen of England, but in her absence, the throne has since been occupied by her cousin, Elizabeth I (MARGOT ROBBIE), who has no intention of stepping down. Understanding that, Mary desires to be named as her direct heir, but finds opposition to that from multiple fronts.

Some, such as Protestant ruler John Knox (DAVID TENNANT), don't want a Catholic ruling either country, while Mary's illegitimate half-brother, James, Earl of Moray (JAMES McARDLE), isn't pleased that she's replaced him as their country's ruler and ends up conspiring against her along with the likes of the Earl of Lennox (BRENDAN COYLE). Besides her loyal chambermaids and court musician Rizzio (ISMAEL CRUZ CORDOVA), Mary's only real ally in her court is the Earl of Bothwell (MARTIN COMPSTON) who's sworn to protect her no matter what.

At the same time, Elizabeth and her chief advisor, Sir William Cecil (GUY PEARCE), try to figure out how to undermine Mary's efforts, including sending the Queen's lover, Robert Dudley (JOE ALWYN), to Scotland to woo Mary, a tactic that fails. Mary does end up marrying another suitor, Henry Stuart, a.k.a. Lord Darnley (JACK LOWDEN), who's third in line to rule England behind only Elizabeth and Mary. But as his drinking and wandering eye put a strain on their marriage, Mary must contend with her various opponents repeatedly attempting to undermine her rule.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of anyone in the cast or costume dramas depicting royalty of old, they might.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R: For some violence and sexuality.

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