Last week, we reported that Meghan Markle was launching what was supposed to be her big Hollywood comeback with a role in an upcoming Disney feature. But Meghan Markle’s comeback chances aren’t looking good after critics scorched not only the Disney film but also Meghan’s performance. This could hurt the Disneynature documentary Elephant, which is set to start streaming Friday April 3rd.
Critics Blast Meghan Markle’s Elephant On Disney+
While the Disneynature documentary Elephant won’t premiere on Disney+ for another three days, it is already being slammed by critics who called it “cheesy” and “shallow”. Some critics even specifically singled out Meghan’s performance as one of the worst parts of the film.
Fox News reported that many critics have described Meghan’s performance as overdramatized in the movie, which follows the eight month journey of elephants across the Kalahari Desert.
Two new movies, two unforgettable journeys. Start streaming Disneynature’s Elephant, narrated by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, and Disneynature’s Dolphin Reef, narrated by Natalie Portman, on April 3, only on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/N0yW0e7Lv6
— Disneynature (@Disneynature) March 26, 2020
Critic Roasts Meghan Markle’s Disney+ Documentary Performance
One particular critic from The Times of London’s was especially unimpressed with Meghan Markle’s voiceover work. Ed Potton wrote that the former “Suits” star traded “pomp and circumstance for schmaltz and cheesiness.”
“The silken tones that Meghan employed on the legal series ‘Suits’ and which were often muzzled during her time as a full-time royal are now given free rein,” Potton wrote in his review. The longtime British critic went on to add:
“And yes, she certainly has an actor’s way with a phrase and a likeable sense of mischief. “Oh! Who did that?” she coos in mock disgust when one of the elephant calves breaks wind. The sense of performance, though, often feels overegged. Even the underwhelming moment in which the elephants rip some bark off a tree is presented like the announcement of the winner for best picture.”
All three of the directors of the Disney+ documentary Elephant previously worked on David Attenborough’s “Planet Earth”. Potton wrote that the new movie suggests that “evidence-based nature documentaries” are now dated.
He also got in a final dig, adding Markle’s new Disney+ feature “feels a bit shallow” overall.
More Negative Reviews Pour In
This was far from the only negative review that Meghan and her Disney+ documentary Elephant received.
Empire‘s Ian Freer wrote that Meghan’s overdramatic narrations came off as “over-eager to please”. Although, Freer did also add somewhat of a backhanded compliment by pointing out that she was mostly able to stay on “the right side of annoying”.
Variety critic Owen Gleiberman was also no fan of Elephant, calling it “rather dry” for a film meant to shed light on the risks ivory poaching poses to elephants.
Meghan was cast in the movie after her husband Prince Harry was caught on camera pitching her to Disney’s then-CEO Bob Iger at the London premiere of the Lion King remake back in July.
BACKSTORY: Meghan Markle Nabs Disney Job After Prince Harry Solicits Studio Head
Video shows Harry approach Iger and say “You know, she does voiceovers” while pointing to Meghan.
“Oh really, I did not know that,” Iger said.
“She’s really interested,” Harry replied, to which Iger said, “We’d love to try.”
Imagine casually having a conversation with Jay Z and Beyoncé, while your partner is marketing your skills to this the CEO of Disney — and thus securing tf out of your bag.
Harry is a damn husband okay?! pic.twitter.com/bup92gMM4s
— C O U R T (@courtnationnn) January 13, 2020
Meghan May Not Find The Hollywood Success She Craves
Prior to marrying Harry, Meghan, 38, spent years trying to make it in Hollywood with very limited success.
The hallmark of Meghan’s entertainment career is basically her landing a role on the USA drama “Suits”. But it’s worth noting that is just a cable television show and not exactly the ideal catapult to launch a big Hollywood career.
Without Harry’s help, Meghan would likely not have been in the running to narrate a Disney feature film. And that includes a featured documentary for Disney+ like Elephant.
Meghan Markle may think that her time as a royal will make it easy for her to obtain the Hollywood A-list career that she has always dreamed of, but the negative reviews of her new Disney+ film should show her that she’ll have to put in the work just like everyone else. Maybe the Duchess should have thought twice before so easily trading her metaphorical crown.
Having a prince for a husband may get Meghan’s foot in the door for gigs. But, in the end, her success will depend on her talent and so it could prove difficult for her to build the Hollywood career that she so craves.
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