Movie spotlight
Bristol, England, early 19th century. A beautiful young stranger who speaks a weird language is tried for the crime of begging. But when a man claims that he can translate her dialect, it is understood that the woman is a princess from a far away land. She is then welcomed by a family of haughty aristocrats that only wants to heighten their prestige. However, the local reporter is not at all convinced she is what she claims to be and investigates. Is Caraboo really a princess?
In 1817, a young woman with a Cockney accent is discovered wandering in a Worcestershire village, speaking a strange language and claiming to be Princess Caraboo from the East Indies. She charms the locals and is taken in by a kind couple, but her story soon unravels as her true identity is investigated by a visiting nobleman and a skeptical Portuguese sailor.
Princess Caraboo was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its charming story, historical setting, and strong performances, particularly from Kyra Sedgwick. Some found the pacing a bit slow, but overall it was seen as an engaging and entertaining film based on a peculiar true story.
Praised for its unique premise and a captivating lead performance.
Noted for its historical detail and charming, albeit sometimes slow, narrative.
Appreciated for its blend of comedy and drama, exploring themes of identity and deception.
Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film's quirky true story and found Kyra Sedgwick's portrayal of Princess Caraboo to be a highlight. Some viewers found the plot predictable, but many were charmed by the film's historical setting and lighthearted tone.
The story of Princess Caraboo is based on a real-life deception that occurred in England in 1817, where a woman named Mary Baker successfully convinced an entire village she was an exotic princess for several months.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
Phoebe Cates is quite charming here as the enigmatic young woman who appears, very much like a fish out of water, in a Georgian English village. She's clearly not a local, and is heading for jail for begging before a supposed "interpreter" ...