The movie Grace of Monaco is a biographical drama that revolves around the life of Grace Kelly, a former Hollywood star who had retired from acting to become Princess Grace of Monaco. The movie is set during the early 1960s, a time when Grace Kelly was facing a personal and political crisis.
At the center of the story is a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III (played by Tim Roth) and France's President Charles De Gaulle (played by André Penvern). De Gaulle was exerting pressure on Monaco, a tiny sovereign state on the French Riviera, to do away with its tax haven status and put an end to its lucrative industry of gambling and luxury tourism, which was contributing to France's wealth while depriving Monaco of its own revenue.
Prince Rainier, in response, was faced with the daunting task of maintaining Monaco's sovereignty while avoiding a military takeover by France. His relationship with Grace Kelly (played by Nicole Kidman) was also under strain, as the Princess struggled to adapt to her new role and find her identity as a royal.
The movie highlights the tension between Grace Kelly's Hollywood past and her new life in Monaco. She is torn between her duties and responsibilities as a Princess and her desire to return to acting. She is also conflicted by the pressure she faces from her husband and the French government, who urge her to support their cause.
Throughout the film, Grace Kelly tries to find her place in a world where she is constantly scrutinized by the media, politics, and society. She seeks comfort from the company of her old friends, including Alfred Hitchcock, who she turned down for his movie Marnie, though he might have been the only one who really understood her.
In the end, Grace of Monaco is a compelling story of political intrigue, marital crisis, and self-discovery. It paints a vivid portrait of a iconic woman who shyly accepted her fate as a princess, but courageously stood up for the independence of her adopted country.