Firebrand ★★★½

JUDE Law has moved into that career period where he either takes the money for anything or concentrates on roles that really interest him.

Thankfully he’s gone for the latter.

Later this year we will see him playing a veteran cop trying to infiltrate a right wing terrorist group in Australian director Justin Kurzel’s The Order.

And recently he took on the powerhouse role of King Henry VIII in the British historical drama Firebrand.

The film is based on the 2013 novel Queen’s Gambit and focuses on Katherine Parr, Henry’s sixth and last wife, who was one of the few to get the better of the tyrant.

For the first act of the film Henry is away on a war campaign and not shown on-screen. But even when he’s not there, the character of Henry casts a threatening shadow over his court.

During this time Katherine has the responsibility of running the realm and tries, as much as she is able, to bring a different approach.

One thing Katherine cannot do during this period is introduce the types of reforms that she and some other members of the court are supportive of, such as allowing independent interpretation of the Christian Bible, rather than the restrictions imposed by the Church with Henry’s blessing.

Upon Henry’s return a subtle battle ensues between the different forces within the Court, facilitated by the fact that Henry is in very poor health and starting to question elements of the legacy he will leave behind.

As you would expect, the film’s production design and all the contributing elements are first-rate.

Vikander is very good as Katherine and much at home in period dramas having made her first mark internationally with Anna Karenina and A Royal Affair in 2012 and The Danish Girl and Tulip Fever in ensuing years.

Law revels in the much showier role which provides his best perfo5rmance since the wonderful The Nest in 2020.

Watched on Apple TV.