Reviewing Movies

The Sovereign. One who legally can do no wrong being in effect the law not to mention head of the church. In the opening scenes much is made of the fact that although she cannot vote it is her government. She also does not need a driver’s license; though she can drive for hundreds of miles without leaving her own property. While having lunch with the Queen Mum she was once chided, “Should you have that second glass of wine; after all you have to reign all afternoon.” I’m sure she misses those informal moments. Monarchy is an anachronistic holdover from earlier times. Whether or not a man who reputedly talks to his tomatoes should be king is a matter of some concern. One can also understand why his son, William is reluctant to assume the sentence that is his birthright. Being King is a life sentence. Whatever dalliances Phil may have been rumoured to have had over the years they have been carried out discretely—the tabloid press have printed no bedroom scenes of the royal wick being wetted. Unfortunately Diana of Wales improprieties are all too well documented. But whatever her dubious status, she is still mother to a future sovereign. Although the cause of the crisis that forms this drama her death and its aftermath is treated in a factual manner; this movie is not actually about her.

Which brings us to The Queen. Although the royal “we” was not amused, the rest of us are in for a treat. Helen Mirren deserves every accolade she received for her performance here. Fortunately one can no longer get the axe at the Tower for having had such impertinence. Bearing an uncanny similarity in visage to HRH it is her mannerisms and bearing that convince us. Tony Blair comes off as a boyish pretender here. As Phil James Cromwell seems most out of touch insisting on taking the boys stalking to take their minds off their grief. Alex Jennings looks the flustered also-ran a king in waiting would have to be and has that red-faced look Britons seem to possess. The motherless boys are kept in the background at all times. Although this tragedy touches them most closely this movie is not about them. Tony Blair’s offspring receive more screen time.

Indeed the Blairs are cast as pivotal to the outcome of this re-enactment; insisting on a public funeral, the return of the Royals from Balmoral to Buckingham Palace and the flying of the Royal Standard above the palace at half mast—an unprecedented act for the sovereign. The views of Scotland which stood in for Balmoral are magnificent. The interiors make the Royals look as frugal as our own Roy Thomson. It would seem the Royal apartments lack the pomp and circumstance of the State rooms with their Old Masters hanging on the walls. We get many views of the royal bedchamber though having HRH referred to as Old Cabbage is a unique touch. Prince Edward with his unique access has produced a series of documentaries about his family’s history but as is often the case fiction probably cuts closer to the bone. For Royal watchers this movie gives an intimate portrait of what may go on when the Royals truly let their hair down.