Recommended.
I was never very interested in this film, as I wasn't a royal family watcher (at least not the current royal family) nor a Princess Diana fan. I was somewhat critical of the queen's response to her death at the time, as it did seem a reflection of her dislike of Diana. A friend of mine recommended it, so I gave it a try, primarily because of Helen Mirren, one of the best actresses around.
I was amazed at how well Mirren brought to life a queen who had lived her entire life in the public eye, watched the monarchy kill her father, and who internalized all the qualities her public demanded of her when she became queen at a young age. She represented the generation that watched London burn in the blitz, and saw her people exhibit the best of British stoicism, courage and perseverance. That these qualities were no longer relevant became agonizingly clear to her during the period after Diana's death. Mirren's nuanced performance embodies all those qualities, and the anguish they brought the queen. Her people's misunderstanding of her response to Diana's death was a hurt that went deep.
Watching Tony Blair (Michael Sheen of Frost/Nixon) handle the queen was every bit as involving as getting the behind the throne peek at the private lives of the royals. It is sad to remember the sordid ending of his leadership. James Cromwell, usually so terrific as US politicians (or pig farmer) was a bit over the top as Prince Philip, with an uncertain British accent. Alex Jennings as Prince Charles was portrayed as ineffectual and remorseful, not a full fledged character at all.
The show is all Helen Mirren's and she could have pulled it off with only David Sheen to play off. Her smallest facial expression qualifies as a full sentence. She was definitely worth the price of admission.
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