The Queen
The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears, is definitely one of the best films I have seen this year. The film is based on real life events (though I sure that some liberties were taken) and focuses on a period of roughly one week during the summer of 1997 right after the death of Princess Diana.
Since Diana and Prince Charles (Alex Jennings) were divorced Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) felt that there was no need for her to make a statement regarding Diana's death. Although her husband Prince Philip (James Cromwell) agrees with her we can tell that deep down inside Charles disagrees. After all, she was the mother of his two children.
Newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) also does not go along with the Queen Elizabeth's idea. He praises Diana, mourns her loss and dubs her "The People's Princess." And, in many ways she was. She helped people with AIDS and campaigned against landmines.
As the film moves along we see just how resistant Queen Elizabeth is to the idea of speaking out about Diana's death. And we see how Philip and The Queen Mother (Sylvia Syms) encourage her to stand her ground. But as we all know, in the end, she gave in because the more people loved Diana the more disdain they had for Queen Elizabeth (and the Monarchy).
This film is first and foremost a character study and Mirren is more than up to the task. She doesn't even have to say a word for you to know how she feels inside. And her exchanges with Blair (and everyone else) are priceless. The film also explores the question of whether the Monarchy is still relevant these days but it doesn't give a pat answer. Although Queen Elizabeth is presented in a certain light neither Frears or Mirren pass judgment on her (and after seeing the film neither did I).
Frears does a marvelous job directing this film. It certainly ranks as one his best films (if not his best). Real footage is included throughout the film and he pulls this off without a hitch. Peter Morgan's script is tightly written and is filled with razor sharp dialog. In my opinion, Mirren should win the Best Actress Oscar. If she doesn't then it means, without a doubt, that the Academy does not want to honor older actresses. It would be wonderful if Sheen could get a Supporting Actor nomination but he is not well known here so that might work against him. One can only hope. Cromwell is also excellent as the prickly Philip and maybe he will manage to get on the short list (he was nominated a number of years ago for the wonderful film Babe). I should also mention that Helen McCrory is terrific as the very progressive, anti-Monarchist Cherie Blair. And Affonso Beato's cinematography is breathtaking (I was happy to
learn that he is also the cinematographer for one of my most anticipated films of next year Love in the Time of Cholera). Come awards season I hope that The Queen is remembered in many categories (including Best Picture, Director and Screenplay). It certainly deserves to be.
Do yourself a favor and take yourself to see this film. You won't be sorry that you did.
Since Diana and Prince Charles (Alex Jennings) were divorced Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) felt that there was no need for her to make a statement regarding Diana's death. Although her husband Prince Philip (James Cromwell) agrees with her we can tell that deep down inside Charles disagrees. After all, she was the mother of his two children.
Newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) also does not go along with the Queen Elizabeth's idea. He praises Diana, mourns her loss and dubs her "The People's Princess." And, in many ways she was. She helped people with AIDS and campaigned against landmines.
As the film moves along we see just how resistant Queen Elizabeth is to the idea of speaking out about Diana's death. And we see how Philip and The Queen Mother (Sylvia Syms) encourage her to stand her ground. But as we all know, in the end, she gave in because the more people loved Diana the more disdain they had for Queen Elizabeth (and the Monarchy).
This film is first and foremost a character study and Mirren is more than up to the task. She doesn't even have to say a word for you to know how she feels inside. And her exchanges with Blair (and everyone else) are priceless. The film also explores the question of whether the Monarchy is still relevant these days but it doesn't give a pat answer. Although Queen Elizabeth is presented in a certain light neither Frears or Mirren pass judgment on her (and after seeing the film neither did I).
Frears does a marvelous job directing this film. It certainly ranks as one his best films (if not his best). Real footage is included throughout the film and he pulls this off without a hitch. Peter Morgan's script is tightly written and is filled with razor sharp dialog. In my opinion, Mirren should win the Best Actress Oscar. If she doesn't then it means, without a doubt, that the Academy does not want to honor older actresses. It would be wonderful if Sheen could get a Supporting Actor nomination but he is not well known here so that might work against him. One can only hope. Cromwell is also excellent as the prickly Philip and maybe he will manage to get on the short list (he was nominated a number of years ago for the wonderful film Babe). I should also mention that Helen McCrory is terrific as the very progressive, anti-Monarchist Cherie Blair. And Affonso Beato's cinematography is breathtaking (I was happy to
learn that he is also the cinematographer for one of my most anticipated films of next year Love in the Time of Cholera). Come awards season I hope that The Queen is remembered in many categories (including Best Picture, Director and Screenplay). It certainly deserves to be.
Do yourself a favor and take yourself to see this film. You won't be sorry that you did.
posted by Film Fanatic | 2:45 PM
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