Unkind words have been said in the past about Madonna's film career.
Alongside the undoubted highs of Desperately Seeking Susan and Evita, there have been some less praiseworthy offerings. Body Of Evidence, Who's That Girl and A League of Their Own.
Working with Oscar-winners Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy) and her then husband Sean Penn (Shanghai Surprise) didn't save her screen reputation, and persuading second husband Guy Ritchie to direct her in Swept Away nearly did away with his film career as well.
But she's nothing if not valiant, and her latest feature-length drama W.E. has drawn far more favourable, if mixed, comments.
Here's the official blurb:
Madonna's W.E. is a beautifully crafted, passionate tale about the search for true love in the modern world, viewed through the prism of one of history's most fabled romances. The year is 1998, and Manhattan is abuzz with anticipation about the upcoming auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. But the auction is far more than a diversion for Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), a transplanted Southerner trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Transfixed by the exquisite artifacts of the Windsors' lives, Wally becomes obsessed with the love story of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the chic, charismatic American who captured the heart of King Edward VIII (James D'Arcy). As she learns more about the sacrifices Wallis made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness.
UK audiences will be able to decide for themselves when Madonna's take on the Abdication crisis hits screens in January. In the meantime, here's the trailer above for a sneak peek, the blurb below and some stunning pics proving, visually at least, it's stunning...