Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
‘AT-HOME’ AT THE MOVIES
Director: Stephen Frears, Icon Film Distribution, M 103 Minutes.
This absorbing historical drama that recounts Queen Elizabeth’s unpleasant part in the aftermath of events following the momentous death of Princess Diana – the “People’s Princess” is superbly directed by British filmmaker Stephen Frears (‘Philomena’).
The story opens with the election of Britain’s new Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen of ‘Frost/Nixon’) just three months before a car accident in Paris that claimed the lives of Princess Diana and her playboy companion Dodi Fayed in August 1997.
As a shocked nation and the world awaken to the tragedy, the Royal Family is also reeling from the news as they come to terms with the outpouring of grief felt by the British people over Diana’s sudden death.
The tragic event is mostly troubling to the Queen (Helen Mirren of ‘Hitchcock’) as she considers how best to deal with the consequences that her husband, Prince Philip (James Cromwell of ‘W’) suggests should be ignored by remaining reticent inside their Balmoral Castle.
Despite the Royal Family’s displeasure at Diana’s recent divorce from Prince Charles (Alex Jennings of ‘Babel’), especially her much-publicised affair with Fayed, it is Blair who appeals to the Queen to make a public statement in order to appease the heartbroken populace.
As Charles prepares to bring back Diana’s body from Paris, the Queen reluctantly agrees to drape Diana’s coffin with the Royal Standard and fly the flag at half-mast over Buckingham Palace.
In adhering to Blair’s further advice, the Queen makes a live televised address from the palace expressing her sympathy.
Frears’ enjoyable storyline is a fascinating insight into the Royal Family as it deals with a personal tragedy.
Apart from a great cast, the major highlights are the masterful performance of the magnificent Mirren, who deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the ‘The Queen’ not to mention Sheen’s entertaining portrayal as Blair.
THE QUEEN will be shown on Channel 7flix on Friday 24 April at 8.30PM (AEST).
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars