The Queen

Rating

Director

Stephen Frears

Screenplay

Peter Morgan

Length

97 min.

Starring

Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Helen McCrory, Roger Allam, Tim McMullan, Douglas Reith

MPAA Rating

PG-13 (For brief strong language)

Review

Every generation has typically one event that everyone remembers where they were when it happened. Some generations have many. I remember all too well where I was when I heard the Challenger had exploded. I remember what I was doing when two planes crashed into the World Trade Center.

I also remember standing in Wal-Mart browsing electronics when it was announced that Diana, Princess of Wales, had been killed in a car accident. While its impact wasn’t as devastating on me as it was on many, I remember that day well. The Queen takes a look at the events immediately following her death that led to a crisis of tradition.

Helen Mirren is Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom. She has been in power for 55 years and was reared on the traditions of the monarchy that have now become antiquated. Nevertheless, the day Diana died, her initial reaction, like those of many heads of families, was to grieve in private with “dignity”.

Urging her to speak to the public and put forth a brave and visible face, Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) understands her position but fears she may be irrevocably damaging the monarchy.

The Queen is a very private tale. It isn’t splashy or broad. Screenwriter Peter Morgan has taken actual events and crafted a story around those events putting into perspective the potential reasoning held behind closed doors during the affair. That little is known for certain about the secluded conversations of Elizabeth II or the events surrounding them doesn’t prevent Morgan’s screenplay from feeling legitimate. While much of the credit can be given to Morgan, an equal amount of credit can be given to the film’s two primary actors.

Mirren is unquestionably a star. Her performance in The Queen is nothing short of perfect. She takes on the look, speech patterns and affectations of the monarch and makes us firmly believe we’re watching a snippet of history, not just watching a movie about it. Her screen presence is commanding and credible.

At her side is the impressive Sheen. His work though significantly overshadowed by Mirren’s, is no less interesting. Unlike Mirren, Sheen doesn’t resemble the real Tony Blair very much. However, he does supremely satisfying work as the newly-elected Prime Minister who must contend with a media crisis in the wake of the Parisian wreck as he focuses on empathizing with the queen while attempting to convince her that a modernization of tradition is required.

Director Stephen Frears lets the story and performances lead the film. His direction is simple and unassuming. It doesn’t get in the way of a compelling story like many other directors might have done. This is a simple film with depth and complexity that is so dissimilar to most styles we are subjected to.

Audiences accustomed to splashy period costume dramas or explosions won’t find The Queen the least bit interesting. It is much like a documentary in its forthright approach to storytelling. However, anyone who enjoys a good character drama with terrific acting should find something to love herein.

Review Written

February 7, 2007