The death of Princess Diana in 1997 provides the lens through which we see a royal family in crisis. Instincts to keep those upper lips stiff clash with the public’s demand for public mourning. The presence of the newly elected, reform-minded Tony Blair doesn’t help matters, especially when his advice goes against the royal family’s better judgement. It’s a recipe for compelling drama, and the surprise is just how involving a story it is.
Credit goes to director Stephen Frears and screenwriter Peter Morgan for their success in painting a rich and plausibly conflicting portrait of the situation. Royal traditions, which are often bizarre and archaic, come into conflict with modern sensibilities. The relationship between the monarchy and the public is a volatile mix of love and other emotions — a mix that is upset by the overwhelming public outpouring of grief over Diana’s death. As for the relevance of the monarchy to today’s world, that, too, is an overriding issue. But instead of becoming a mere commentary on whether the monarchy should be abolished or not, “The Queen” is about depicting human beings, flaws and all, in situations that unsettle the comfortable routine of their familiar lives. For what otherwise might be a glimpse into history judged by whatever opinion of the royal family and Princess Diana one may have — fascinating to admirers, tedious to detractors — “The Queen” turns out to be simply great storytelling.
Technical Quality: ** (out of two)
Star Awarded!
The Queen. Directed by Stephen Frears. Written by Peter Morgan. Starring Helen Mirren, Martin Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, and Helen McCrory. 97 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for brief strong language).
