The Stone of Destiny received a standing ovation from the audience at the opening of the Canadian Images portion of the 27th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival and I don't it wholly deserved it.
Director and writer Charles Martin Smith tells the true story of a group of Scottish university students from Glasgow as they plan and steal the Stone of Destiny or the Coronation Stone from Westminster Abbey but his story telling is filmed with so many clichés such as the "don't fall for me" line leading lady Kate Mara throws to leading man Charlie Cox knowing that they eventually will and the shy Alan (Ciaron Kelly) coming out of his shell at a crucial moment, that it is hard to truly enjoy it.
The film begins winter 1950 in Glasgow and culminates to Christmas 1950 when Ian Hamilton (Cox), Gavin Vernon (Stephen McCole), Kay Matheson (Mara) and Alan Stuart (Kelly) succeed in stealing the stone but without some hiccups along the way.
A little back story about the Stone of Destiny or the Coronation Stone is that it’s a oblong block of red sandstone weighing approximately 152 kg. It was used for centuries during the coronations of the monarchs of Scotland, England and Britain. Back in 1296, the Stone was captured by Edward I as spoils of war and taken to Westminster Abbey. Hamilton wanted to do something for Scottish pride as back them Scotland was being referred to North Britain and wanted a symbol to represent Scottish independence, hence stealing the Stone.
However, when the quartet finally does steal the stone, the celebration on the streets of Scotland just ring false and I just didn't get the sense of pride and excitement that the people felt over their feat. Also ringing false was when Hamilton was initially planning his heist with his friend Bill (Billy Boyd). All the books, maps, floor plans and casing the joint just rang like a false version of Ocean's Eleven and this point was really hammered home when Bill left and Hamilton recruits Matheson who then recruits Vernon who then recruits Stuart.
The only true bright spot of the film is McCole as Vernon. He not only provides comic relief but was also endearing when he told of his reason for wanting to steal the Stone and I loved the part where he affects a snotty British accent to glean information off a priest on how to better access Westminster Abbey. Truly wasted was Robert Carlyle as someone who secretly finances the theft and Oscar winner Brenda Fricker as Carlyle's maid. Her role was pointless, just serves tea, eavesdrops then leave scene. Also, what really bothered me was the celebration between Carlyle and Fricker when the Stone was stolen really rang false.
Mara was fine as Matheson (even with her uneven Scottish brogue) but the fault of the film lies with Cox, he isn’t charismatic enough to care about why he wants to steal the Stone, which in turn makes me not really care.
The Stone of Destiny is next showing on October 8th at 11:30 am at Empire Granville 7 Cinemas. The Vancouver International Film Festival runs now until Oc
