…not the real one!

Classification: 12A
Runtime: 103 min
UK release date: 15/9/2006
Directed by: Stephen Frears
Staring: Helen Mirren, James Cromwell, Michael Sheen

Set in 1997, i.e. the time surrounding Diana’s death, this drama unfolds by showing us ‘day-to-day’ life within the walls of Buckingham Palace. Tony Blair has just won the election to be PM and wants to make Britain modern. …Then – the crash – all hell breaks lose while the family are on holiday at Balmoral.

The use of actual footage and news reports from the period are effective and promote quite an emotional response. For those who remember it well (i.e. most of the planet), it seems like yesterday and we are reminded of how the British (and, indeed, the world) went temporarily insane – the books of condolence; floral tributes; people sleeping on the streets to get near the barrier for when the coffin passed by; and the media going nuts and vilifying the Royal Family. Tony Blair is portrayed as the hero (as he was at the time) in persuading the Royal Family to compromise by returning to London… and to respect Diana by flying the flag at half-mast.

Helen Mirren’s characterisation is so accurate, I was completely mesmerised by her performance, there were times when I forgot I was watching a portrayal. The dignity, strength, elegance and humour of the Queen… but you also get to see a little deeper. I smell an Oscar nomination!

Likewise, Michael Sheen, brilliant as ever – again, makes Tony Blair ‘watchable’. I confess… I am a big fan and the fact that he can go from playing a Lycanthrope… to Tony Blair… via Kenneth Williams… is merely testimony to his ability as a performer.

“Have you seen the guest list for the funeral?
Elton John is coming. It will be a chorus line of soap stars and homosexuals”.

(James Cromwell as Prince Philip)

Lighter moments are sprinkled throughout the film (Tony Blair in a Newcastle shirt is quite a scary sight!) but it’s one of those films that doesn’t insult your intelligence. I may have blubbed through a lot of it (the archive footage was heartbreaking! :() but, it certainly made me think about issues surrounding that period in history…yes, I know it was a movie…but there were elements that made me think “hmmm…I wonder if that could be true?”.

Worth seeing – not necessarily at the cinema – but definitely worth seeing.