Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley is a 2017 biographical romantic drama film that explores the love affair between poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and writer Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, a union that not only produced two famous children, including the celebrated author Mary Shelley, but also inspired the creation of one of the most iconic novels in literature, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The film opens with Mary (Eloise Mumford) visiting with her father, philosopher William Godwin, and her stepsiblings in England. Mary is a young woman of independent spirit and a voracious reader, deeply influenced by the works of William Godwin and the French Revolution. It is here that she meets Percy Bysshe Shelley (Jamie Bell), a talented young poet 21 years older than Mary. Despite the significant age gap, the two form a deep connection and quickly fall in love, defying the conventions of society. As the story unfolds, Percy and Mary embark on a passionate and all-consuming romance, which leads to their secret marriage. They live as a family unit with Mary's stepsiblings and stepmother, while also pursuing their own individual creative endeavors. Percy's poetry is gaining popularity, and his passion for writing inspires Mary to explore her own creative voice. However, their happiness is short-lived as Percy is already married to Harriet Westbrook Shelley, a situation that Mary is deeply aware of and struggles to reconcile with her own feelings. The complexity of their relationship becomes increasingly complicated, and tensions rise as Mary becomes an integral part of the Shelley household. The turning point in the film comes when Mary becomes pregnant, and the Shelleys decide to marry in a more formal ceremony. The new union is blessed, but the arrival of Mary and Percy's first child, William, leads to further complications. Percy still hasn't finalized his divorce from Harriet, and the stress of his situation weighs heavily on Mary, creating an atmosphere of discomfort and uncertainty within their new family. The couple's social status becomes even more precarious when Harriet becomes pregnant with Percy's second child. Mary is forced to come to terms with the reality of her husband's complicated past, a burden that weighs on her as she navigates her own desires for creative expression. Mary's experiences as a mother, wife, and writer eventually converge when she starts to formulate the basic themes for Frankenstein. The novel draws inspiration from the turmoil of her own life, including her relationship with Percy and her observations of the scientific discoveries of her day, as described in Galvanism. This groundbreaking work becomes a reflection of her inner and outer worlds, revealing the darker corners of human nature. In the film, Mary Shelley struggles to cope with the harsh realities of her world. With each miscarriage, stillbirth, and tragedy, Mary is forced to confront her place within the family and the pressures to create a novel worthy of great attention. Mary's personal turmoil culminates in the creation of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, an iconic piece of Gothic fiction that not only brings attention to the couple but also becomes a work of art that has captivated readers for centuries. Mary Shelley delves into the complex lives of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin and Percy Bysshe Shelley, showcasing the love, the heartbreak, and the creative turmoil that they endured during their time together. This poignant film humanizes the myth surrounding the authors of Mary Shelley's iconic novel, exploring the very essence of their passion for life and their commitment to expressing the full range of the human experience.