The Queen | Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen | Very Absorbing and Entertaining

The Queen | Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen | The Queen

DVDs:

The Queen

	The Queen Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen Miramax, 2007 average customer review:based on 314 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Actress, Dame Helen Mirren gives a spellbinding performance in THE QUEEN, the provocative story behind one of the most public tragedies of our time ? the sudden death of Princess Diana. In the wake of Diana's death, the very private and tradition-bound Queen Elizabeth II (Mirren) finds herself in conflict with the new Prime Minister, the slickly modern and image-conscious Tony Blair. THE QUEEN, also starring Academy Award® Nominee James Cromwell (Best Supporting Actor, BABE, 1995), takes you inside the private chambers of the Royal Family and the British government for a captivating look at a vulnerable human being in her darkest hour, as a nation grieving for its People's Princess waits to see what its leaders will do. Suspenseful, heartfelt and riveting, it's a fascinating story you won?t soon forget.

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Very Absorbing and Entertaining

As a Yank from across the pond, I only recently caught THE QUEEN and I'm disappointed I didn't see it sooner!

This is one of those great films based on true incidents that constantly leaves you wondering, "Did that really happen?"

The movie follows what happens following the death of Princess Diana, skillfully showing how the Royals, the new British government, and the media/public respond to the tragedy. Actual news footage and interviews with Diana only make it seem more real, as well as the characterizations of everyone on the screen.

Some come off worse, others better. I don't know. Whatever the reality of what took place was, this is a very well-crafted, very compelling story. I've always loved Helen Mirren. She was a total Shakespeare babe in the 1970s (I saw some recent paparazzi shots of her in a bikini and she's still got it!), she's been great in everything I've seen her, and I'm thrilled she won the Oscar for THE QUEEN.

One last note: as bad as the Royals come off in some scenes, especially Prince Philip railing about Diana and outraged that "homosexuals will be singing in Westminster" (Elton John's #1 song), I wondered if the British press was getting a bit of a pass: whenever I saw online papers from England, they were aghast and appalled at Diana's activities right up until she died (chased by the press, no less). Diana found ways of using the press herself--sunbathing in bikinis whenever Charles accompanied Camilla Parker-Bowles out on the town--but I thought they were terrible to her otherwise.

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The Queen

The Queen is one of the most provocative films of the Royal Family that I've seen in years. It tells the story from the side of the Royal Family during a time of crisis and change in the UK. It was insightful to the problems that the Queen had during this time. The decisions that she had to make were not only stressful but went against the grain of the tradition that she held so dear and also against the era that she grew up in. It also showed that the people as well as Tony Blair knew that the country needed a change. Tony Blair was pivotal in keeping the Queen's image intact. Helen Mirren did an excellent job in portraying Queen Elizabeth II in this remarkable movie. She definitely brought her to life in this film and gave viewers a chance to see that the Queen is genuinely human.

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Something magical happens when Helen Mirren "becomes" Queen Elizabeth

This 2006 film tells the story of those dark days in 1997 when Princess Diana was tragically killed in a car crash and the world mourned the loss. Queen Elizabeth, however, did not react immediately. Because of the scandal surrounding the Princess's divorce from Prince Charles, royal protocol ruled, and there was a conspicuous silence from Buckingham Palace.

In the role that won her the Academy Award, Helen Mirren's Queen Elizabeth seems absolutely real. Something magical happens and she actually "becomes" her royal highness herself. It's not just that she looks like her; it's much more than that. She has mastered the accent, the nuances, and the fleeting emotion in a self-controlled countenance. She is also humbled and confused but this only comes through in fleeting moments of personal soul searching. Otherwise, she embodies proper behavior as befits the tradition of the monarchy.

Michael Sheen is cast in the role of Prime Minister Tony Blair and the early scenes depict his awkwardness in the presence of the Queen of England. As the story progresses, however, he actually helps her to understand that the world has changed in the fifty years since she was crowned. This is all done very subtlety and I couldn't help be moved by the Queen's personal turmoil.

There were strengths in the screenplay and but there were also weaknesses. A lot of the story was told through newsreels that we have all seen over and over again. Also, we know how it all played out. And so I found myself a bit impatient at the slow pace.

I do recommend this film as I think it shows a particular piece of history and some absolutely superb acting. But it does drag on a bit so try not to be too sleepy when you see it.

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Truth manipulated (details)

I want to say up front that Helen Mirren's performance as Queen Elizabeth II in this film is first-class, just superb. In fact, this is the most redeeming facet of the movie.

The story is this: Here, we have an intimate glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II (as well as her husband, the Queen Mother, and Prince Charles) during the window of time just before and during the week or so period of time after Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris. The focal point of the movie is the hostile reaction of the British people toward the Queen's cold attitude in regard to Diana's death.

I need to say up front that I'm a fan neither of The Royals nor of the late Princess -- but I AM interested in hearing all about their endless peccadilloes. In fact, this actuality was one of my disappointments because I thought that this film was about the Queen's entire reign, and it's not. Still, I can't rightfully criticise what the film is NOT about... I just wish that the title had been more explicit.

In any case, right away the Queen and the Windsor-Mountbatten family are portrayed as pretty heartless and rotten, at least by American standards. Following the death of Diana, Prince Charles is also served up to us as a spineless flip-flopper and a witless wimp... okay so far.

At that point, newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair begins advising and urging the Queen to relent on her silence and isolation and share in the grief of the British people over Diane's death, a pill that the old sourpuss finds almost impossible to swallow. Still okay so far.

Then, at a turning point in the movie, the producers elect to REDEEM the Queen, just because she came out and sniffed the flowers under extreme political pressure and duress. There was not the first bit of actual remorse in that woman's heart (neither in the film nor in reality!) So, WHY did the film-makers decide to attempt to make her look like a normal human being? I surely have not figured it out!

So, in summary, I found this movie to be manipulative, although I must assert that this device was completely lost on me. I hold the Queen in no higher esteem now (post-film) than I did when she was acting like a witch the day after Diana died, (or even before that.)

As far as the cinematography and the continuity of the film, it was superb. The Producers also shrewdly used some actual footage of Diana and others which was sprinkled throughout the movie. There's a lot of nice scenery in this flick and some really terrific acting. Overall, I was okay on watching this film all the way through but I would not watch it again. With some trepidation, I would slightly recommend it to others.

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Movie: 3.75/5 Picture Quality: 4/5 Sound Quality: 3.75/5 Extras: 2.25/5

Version: U.S.A / Region-A
VC-1 BD-25 / Advanced Profile 3
Running time: 1:43:22
Movie size: 21,16 GB
Disc size: 24,75 GB
Average video bit rate: 19.79 Mbps

LPCM Audio English 4608 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 16-bit / 4608kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 640kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 192kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 192kbps
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 192kbps

Subtitles: English / Spanish
Number of chapters: 17

#2 Commentary Tracks
#The Making of The Queen
#Movie Showcase

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