The Queen

FLICK All elements of this film come perfectly together under the direction of Stephen Frears. The script by Peter Morgan relates many documented moments, but it’s the surmised private moments that create a sense of realness and are full of believability. [On his direction choices, Frears stated on Fresh Aire with Terry Gross: The Tony Blair scenes and the queen’s scenes are separate. Two different styles of filmmaking. Tony Blair is shot in 16mm and Elizabeth is 35mm. 16mm is more “demotic” (“ordinary” and “pertaining to the common people”) and used on television. “35mm is more beautiful and one associated with Hollywood films.”] There are many moments which nicely display the conflicts of traditional royalty with a modern People's Princess. Helen Mirren successfully captures the physical presence of Queen Elizabeth II and her subtle performance nails details which create the effect that she isn't acting and has actually become the monarch. For this she deserves all of the awards and nominations she has received. There is a recreation of the night Princess Diana got into her car and was chased by the paparazzi. Through news flashbacks, we see a very public Princess Diana. These scenes are contrasted nicely with those of the Queen driving alone in her car on the estate, bonding with nature instead of her people. When a 16-point stag is killed, we see that the queen does appreciate beauty and is not entirely without emotion. That she has learned to hold back her feelings we see how it can be difficult for others to understand her perspective, especially her dislike of Diana who she sees as someone who was given many fortunes and opportunities but considers them to be thrown away. Other standout performances include James Cromwell as Prince Philip and Alex Jennings as Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Critic David Edelstein states: "She has a mystical emotionally charged connection with a magnificent stag…That said, when she finally makes her grudging statement of grief, it’s not a stand up and cheer kind of climax. It is however, a momentous one. Because it marks for Queen Elizabeth II the passing of a more dignified, more orderly world. She knows that Diana, the princess of the modern celebrity culture, has won. But this cheeky yet reverent not to mention absolutely delightful movie makes you happy she surrendered with dignity." (2006, DVD Release Date: April 24, 2007.) My Score: 10 out of 10.