William and Kate movie to make TV debut

[April 16, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- The most talked about movie in Britain this week is probably a made-for-TV special about Prince William and Kate Middleton that documents the early days of their romance.

But the response so far to "William and Kate: The Movie" suggests the film may find a wide audience -- even though it will likely not be in line for any Best Picture Oscars.

The Guardian newspaper's response Friday was typical, calling the movie far worse than expectations, which were low to begin with. The newspaper said the movie was so bad it would probably be a smash.

"So bad it's awful, toe-curlingly, teeth-furringly, pillow-bitingly ghastly," the paper said. The movie suffers from poor acting, bad locations, and bogus accents, it said.

But those shortcomings, real or imagined, will not keep the movie, shot entirely in Los Angeles, from getting TV time in Britain and in the United States in the two weeks left before the April 29 wedding of the real William and Middleton.

After that, the movie is to be sold as DVDs, possibly finding a niche among memorabilia collectors.

London Evening Standard critic Richard Godwin said American critics have "panned this movie as a cheesy chick-flick" but predicted the English will end up cherishing the movie because it is so outlandish.

It stars New Zealander Nico Evers-Swindell playing a dashing version of Prince William and Camilla Luddington as a highly emotional Middleton portrayed as determined to snag a prince, despite the obstacles she faces.

It loosely follows the ups and downs of the couple's relationship, which began in their freshmen year as art history majors at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

The film includes key points in their relationship, including the scene where Middleton catches William's eye at a fashion show wearing a see-through dress and lingerie. The trailer has already been widely viewed on YouTube.

The TV movie will be joined by a number of other wedding specials as interest in the royal event crests in the final two weeks before the wedding, which itself will be viewed by a live global TV audience.

[Associated Press; By GREGORY KATZ]

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