Ahead of its anticipated debut on streaming services, Disney’s new documentary ‘Elephant’ has received many critics already, mainly for the role that former actress and British Royal family member Meghan Markle occupied as narrator of it, which was called “shallow.”
Set to release on the Disney+ streaming service for April 3, many critics have already slammed Markle’s debut voiceover performance with Disney as “overdramatized,” rating the film three out of five stars overall based on the early copies of it they viewed.
This is not Markle’s acting debut as a whole, having grown to fame for her role on the hit television show ‘Suits’ prior to marrying Prince Harry and becoming a member of the British Royal family. Now, with her and the Prince departing the Royal family, Markle is legally allowed to pursue her own business interests again. The documentary, which will serve as Markle’s return to the world of film, follows a group of elephants on an eight month journey across the Kalahari Desert.
One critic for The Times of London was having none of the former Royal’s return to film, commenting that Markle, in filling the role, 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,” the critic continued in his beratement of Markle, finding more issues in the former dutchess’ debut performance for the major media conglomerate.
“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,” the review continued, finding issue in Markle’s verbiage and delivery throughout the new Disney performance.
‘Elephant’ was directed by Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz, who all rose to fame in the field for their work on the highly acclaimed film ‘Planet Earth.’
Another critic for The Telegraph said that Markle’s performance was “fine” and geared entirely towards kids, succeeding at doing that.
“If you’re home-schooling at present, consider your Friday morning’s activities taken care of,” the review stated.
Markle reportedly took the job with Disney in exhange for a donation to the nonprofit group Elephants Without Borders.
