Year: 2006
Director: Stephen Frears
Page: 945
The Queen is a revealing look at the events surrounding Princess Diana’s death, and the royal family’s reaction. A deep and interesting film experience, it brings to light the actions and reactions of Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) in the face of personal and public tragedy.
The film begins on the 30th of April 1997, the eve of the elections that saw Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) elected Prime Minister. The audience witnesses Queen Elizabeth II reaction to his election, and her curt, rather uncomfortable customary first meeting with the new Prime Minister. Three months later Princess Diana dies in a car crash, an event that rocked the world and caused a mass outpouring of grief amongst the British people. The royal family, meanwhile, are on holiday at Balmoral, and news of Diana’s death brings division amongst its members. The Queen insists Diana’s funeral be a private affair, as she was not a member of the royal family at the time of her death. Prince Charles (Alex Jennings) believes otherwise, stating that the mother of the future King of England should not be laid to rest so silently.
The film continues on through the week leading up to Diana’s very public, very extravagant funeral. The audience sees the Queen enjoying her
holiday at Balmoral as much as is possible, whilst the British press and public are slamming the royals for failing to return to London or present a statement. The Queen continues to insist that Diana’s death is a private affair, and there should be no royal involvement. As approval ratings for the royal family drop and the Queen is put under more and more pressure by the press and the Prime Minister’s Office, the film reaches its turning point. After a moving scene where the Queen’s four wheel drive breaks down in a river, the audience realises her humility, compassion and overall grief. She finally decides to return to London and make a public address.
The Queen is eye opening. Not only does it offer an insight into the royal family, it also reveals the deeper emotions of Queen Elizabeth II. 
Helen Mirren is stunning. Her performance garnered her an Academy Award, one she most definitely deserved and earned. The film itself is well made, with beautiful scenes of the countryside at Balmoral, and elaborately beautiful sets of the royal family’s living quarters. The cast is enjoyable, with Sheen portraying Blair with conviction. Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair provides an enjoyable pro-republican stance from inside the political sanctum, whilst James Cromwell is excellently fiery as Prince Phillip. The insight into the royals’ daily life is most enjoyable, as we see them enjoying tea, watching television and preparing a barbecue by the river. It was highly interesting to note that the Queen often called her son the Prince of Whales, rather than Charles, and her mother Queen Elizabeth (except when alone with her).
The film is wholesome and moving, as the audience is taken by the hand through the events leading up to Diana’s funeral. The splicing of news footage throughout the film and the extensive use of newspapers provides a very real base for the possibly inaccurate events. Whilst The Queen my not be thrilling or funny, it is spectacularly put together, acted, and shot. A masterpiece of history, it creates a whole new understanding of the people we have known for decades.
