Maisie Williams and Jason Sudeikis did not get an opportunity to shine with their roles in The Book of Love, which premiered in 2016 under its original title The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Although the film was intended to be a blend of whimsical and touching, depicting a journey through grief and loss, it doesn’t achieve the perfect balance of these themes.
Orlando Jones as Cornelius “Dumbass” Thibadeaux, Richard Robichaux as Pascal, and Maisie Williams as Millie in The Book of Love (Credit: Electric Entertainment)
Receiving a low 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics did not review the movie well. The film was described as attempting to milk too much emotion out of every scene.
About The Book of Love
The Book of Love was in production in early 2015 and was first released at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 14, 2016. Williams, who is well remembered for her outstanding role as Arya Stark on the hit series Game of Thrones, stars in the film.
Henry, played by Sudeikis, is an introverted architect whose outgoing and vivacious wife dies. She had instructed him to be bold and reach out and help Millie, the homeless girl she had formed a connection with who visited their neighborhood. Together, Henry and Millie build a boat to set sail on.
Jason Sudeikis and Maisie Williams play the lead roles in the 2016 American drama film The Book of Love (Credit: Electric Entertainment)
Neither Williams nor Sudeikis was the first choice to star in the film. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was the original pick for Jason Sudeikis’ character, Henry Herschel.
Chloë Grace Moretz was originally cast as Millie, but the role was given to Maisie Williams due to Moretz’s scheduling conflicts. Moretz did receive a special mention in the closing credits.
Problems with the Film
Jason Sudeikis, who was 40 at the time of filming, is best known for his funnyman roles in Horrible Bosses. His character lacks depth in the film, and the actor does the best that he can with the character that was written for the tragic-comic role.
The film is too similar in some ways to Demolition (2015), another tragicomedy that starred Jake Gyllenhaal. Demolition also didn’t fair well with the critics.
Actress Maisie Williams in a Zeynep Kartal strapless dress at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival after-party for “The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea” sponsored by Sauza 901 at 1OAK on April 14, 2016, in New York City (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
Williams was 18 at filming in 2015 and used an American accent throughout the film. However, this was one of the many problems with the film. The Louisiana droll she attempts to invoke doesn’t add credibility to the touching nature of the film.
Despite being a delightful actress, even Williams’ acting talents could not carry the film into a success. The Book of Love is described as “a sugary-sweet mess” and “gushy,” missing the mark as a powerful statement about loss.
A Star-Studded Affair
The cast was star-studded with talented actors. These included Jessica Biel as the free-spirited wife of the main character Henry and Mary Steenburgen as the grieving mother-in-law.
Jessica Biel in a Self Portrait Pre-Fall 2016 mini lace dress with her husband Justin Timberlake at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival after-party for “The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea” sponsored by Sauza 901 at 1OAK on April 14, 2016, in New York City (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
The film featured a music score by Justin Timberlake, which was his first foray into musical score composition.
Richard Robichaux and Orlando Jones also appear in the film. Although the actors are top-notch, the script and direction of the film failed to effectively evoke the depth of grief and whimsy required.
Jessica Biel as Penny and Jason Sudeikis as Henry in The Book of Love (The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea) (Credit: Electric Entertainment)
Robichaux’s mix of Cajun French and English is the only signifier that the film is located in New Orleans. This lack of location is yet another downfall of the film, which doesn’t utilize the cultural richness of a landmark city to enhance the depth of the film.
Despite a star-studded cast, the film falls short of great.
OK, this is a tough one. If you were asked to pick, would you rather have Kim Kardashian’s butt or Kylie Jenner’s lips?
Maisie Williams curls her hair for the premiere of “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” held on April 14, 2016, at the John Zuccotti Theater in New York (Credit: C. Smith / Andres Otero / WENN)
Maisie Williams surprisingly didn’t have a hard time picking. Can you guess what her answer was?
In April 2016, Maisie gave us the answer on the red carpet of the premiere of “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” held at the John Zuccotti Theater in New York.
Maisie wore an intricate full skirt dress from Zeynep Kartal’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection.
Maisie Williams wears an intricate Zeynep Kartal dress on the red carpet (Credit: WENN)
The dress was sophisticated, but still age-appropriate for the then 19-year-old.
The young actress also sported minimal jewelry, concentrating all the glitz and glitter into her pair of Nicholas Kirkwood “Outliner” sandals instead.
Maisie Williams’s feet in sparkling Nicholas Kirkwood heels (Credit: WENN)
Ready to know what her answer is? “I’d rather have Kylie’s lips because I have very thin lips,” Williams said in an interview with Us Weekly on the red carpet. “It would be cool to see what it was like for a second.”
You can order Maisie’s Nicholas Kirkwood “Outliner” sandals at Ssense and Farfetch.
Nicholas Kirkwood “Outliner” Lurex Ankle-Strap Sandals, $721.26 – $850