Year: 2006
Director: Stephen Frears
Page: 945
A film depicting the fallout from Princess Diana’s death and the impact on the British Royal Family, The Queen is a triumph of acting and accuracy, with Helen Mirren being the absolute stand out in this magnificent film of loss, power and struggle.
The film takes place in the weeks following the election of Tony Blair and the death of Princess Diana, and chronicles the reaction by the royal family, in particular Queen Elizabeth II (played by Helen Mirren). The royal establishment is struggling, with Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) being elected by pushing modernisation, something that does not sit well with the Queen who is a woman of traditional values. Not only that, the sudden death of Diana puts the royal family into more turmoil, where royal protocol must inevitably move aside in order to redeem public opinion.
The film offers an amazing insight into the life of the British royals, with the viewer being privy to their holidaying at Balmoral. We see intimate moments between the Queen and Prince Phillip, we witness a royal barbecue, we experience royal protocol over dinner. It is as fascinating as it is odd, as the viewer hears the Queen refer to her son as the Prince of Wales, and her mother as Queen Elizabeth, as opposed to a less formal Charles or Mother. It is a bizarre world that is being portrayed, something that is recognised by the less royal characters of Tony Blair and his staff.
The depiction of truth in the film is something that must be commended. Whilst many scenes are no doubt fictionalised, for example the scenes within the Queen’s private bedroom and intimate scene with the royal family, screenwriter Peter Morgan also makes many efforts to pepper the film with historical truths. The use of news footage helped reaffirm the fact that this film is taking place within a specific time frame, and within a history of truthfulness. It is wonderfully integrated into the film, and does not confuse the viewer but instead aids the progression of the story.
The film itself does not make grand attempts at artistry or grandeur, focussing more on the characters than the visuals. This is not to say the film is not visually appealing, in fact it is quite a gorgeous film to watch, yet the focus is first and foremost on the actors and the acting. The pretty sets become merely a backdrop on which the actors can weave their own personal magic and transport the viewer into the world of their personal lives. It is on this backdrop that Helen Mirren as the Queen shines; her performance is the unquestionable stand out.
Mirren’s portrayal of the Queen is undeniably excellent. Her mannerisms, her voice, her expressions, her walk, her composure; all of it is just faultless. Mirren manages to present the Queen in a way that is not only believable but accessible. The viewer cannot help but feel a connection with this character who in real life seems so distant; a person who is so unlike the rest of the population. Mirren presents the Queen with a piercing royal stare, yet also manages to
evoke a sense of vulnerability. We see cracks of fragility, suggestions of obsessive compulsions, and undeniable coldness of emotion. Yet it becomes clear that the Queen is merely following tradition, as she was born into this life, it’s all she’s ever known. She is a product of her upbringing, and Mirren manages to express this with a sense of pathos which the viewer cannot help but experience.
The Queen is a film that is genuinely sad, and wonderfully insightful. The rich performances by all actors, but in particular Mirren, allows the film to grip you emotionally such that the royal family feel less like a distant institution, but more like a regular family born into an a world that binds them to protocol and tradition. It is through these rich performances that the world of the royals becomes opened up to the viewer, and it is this that makes this film magnificent.
