Royal Fidelity
Written: Mar 12 '07
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, Frears's direction, Morgan's script
Cons: Story has some bias toward the British media
The Bottom Line: Heavy lies the head that wears the crown.
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| pmills1210's Full Review: The Queen |
Change came to the British monarchy in two ways in 1997. First, the British people elected a new prime minister. Second, Lady Diana Spencer, the former wife of Prince Charles and a beloved person throughout the world, lost her life in an auto accident in Paris. The Queen takes a look at the events following the death of Charles's former Princess and the eventual reaction from Buckingham Palace about it. Helen Mirren stars as Queen Elizabeth II, a monarch whose initial decision to Diana's death was to withdraw from view. This withdrawl came at a time where she was just coming to know Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), who had just been elected to the position. Blair sought to encourage Her Majesty to show some public display acknowledging the death of Diana.
People within her family, though, had conflicting notions. The Queen Mother (Sylvia Syms) tells her daughter that English tradition should be upheld, and that the only public mourning ever shown by Buckingham Palace has been for a member of the Royal Family. Prince Charles (Alex Jennings), on the other hand, wants his mother to break from tradition, given Diana's celebrity status. The Queen's husband, Prince Philip (James Cromwell), stands by his wife and will support any decision that she makes. In the days between the death and the funeral, the British media talk daily about the lack of comment from Elizabeth, as she makes the best decision for herself and her country.
Director Stephen Frears and writer Peter Morgan take a captivating look at the private side of one of England's most public figures in The Queen. While nobody knows for sure what transpired in private, Frears and Morgan handle their postulations with sensibility and respect. Following the death of Diana, the English people wanted the Royal Family to do something unprecedented. Prime Minister Blair remains one of the few who can contact the queen, advising her of the public reaction to the tragedy. While he can't be there personally for the royals, he does offer support that he can in their country's time of loss. The queen, ultimately, must make the final decision on the official royal reaction.
The problem that I have with The Queen is that the movie portrays the British media in a heroic light. They fill the headlines, both on the air and in print, with reminders of the immense popularity of Diana, even calling her the "people's princess." Day after day, they report on the failure of Buckingham Palace to make any sort of statement. The media in England seems more harsh on public figures than any American media. The movie seems to agree with the media for their handling of the passing. When Elizabeth finally does have a reaction, they feel as though they were more responsible for her decision than the queen herself. Blair, though, sees something more significant in the royal decision.
Mirren delivers an eloquent and Oscar-winning performance as England's reigning monarch. Elizabeth is very much about appearance in both a personal and dignified perspective. She is about commanding attention and respect, even though her reign is virtually symbolic. The news of Diana's death, though, initially leaves her in a state of shocked disbelief. She has always believed, though, in her service to the British people, as she shows when she pays a visit to the memorials people have created to Diana. Mirren bears a striking resemblance to the monarch which enhances the performance. Sheen is also very convincing in look and performance as Tony Blair. Politically, he and the queen couldn't be much different. On the other hand, Blair, too, works in the service of their country. Still, he offers his support and advice in their nation's time of sorrow.
The Queen shows the English monarchy coming face to face with modern reality. Tradition defined the royal family as those who ascended to power, their immediate families, and those who married into royalty. Even though her marriage to Prince Charles did not last, Diana Spencer was still a princess to many English people, as well as a person who showed kindness and compassion to people all over the world. Her passing was mourned by those who admired her. Ultimately, Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged the mark her former daughter-in-law left in all sectors of Great Britain.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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pmills1210
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Member: Pat Mills
Location: East Chicago, In.
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"Nothing in moderation." - Ernie Kovacs. Read and enjoy!
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