As a member of the Royal family, Meghan Markle couldn’t catch a break with the brutal British tabloids. Now, as she settles into a life back in Hollywood, it seems the media is still out to criticize her every move. In a case of doomed-if-she-does-and-doomed-if-she-doesn’t, Markle’s first post-Royal job as a narrator for Disney’s new upcoming documentary Elephant, has been called over-dramatized by media folk.
Released on Disney+ today, film critics from around the world have been less-than-nice about the 38-year-old mother-of-one. “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,” wrote The Times Of London. “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 over-eager. 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.”
“For her part, Markle’s delivery of the commentary is wholesome and over-eager to please,” reports Empire Online, “but just about stays the right side of annoying.”
Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, have a soft spot for Botswana in South Africa, where the film is based. After meeting, they escaped to Mapula Lodge, an isolated (buzzword of the month) $800-a-night retreat.
Attending the UK premiere of the film The Lion King in July last year, the Prince was heard telling Disney’s then-CEO Bob Iger that Markle was very interested in working with them. “You know she does voiceovers,” the Duke of Sussex is heard saying to Iger in a video obtained by The Daily Mail.
“Oh, really? I didn’t know that,” the mogul responded.
“She’s really interested,” persisted the Prince.
Elephant is streaming from today on Disney+.
