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Grace of Monaco

Dramatically inert middlebrow mush

Here we have a “fictionalized story, based on true events.” (Don’t you just love all the ways the makers of bad movies have of rewording this caveat?) In 1962, Alfred Hitchcock offered Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (Nicole Kidman) the lead in Marnie. Cornball story tells of how she is tempted but bravely refuses and pluckily buckles down to become a true royal, and in the process, through pure charm, saves the royal family from a palace coup, Monaco from a French invasion (over taxes), and delivers a rousing speech at (wait for it) a lavish charity ball. Jeez. Who cares? Dramatically inert middlebrow mush. Japanese title: Grace of Monaco: Kohi no Kirifuda. (102 min)