Tonight's film is the regal drama; The Queen, starring Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen.
Well, my initial dubious thoughts about this film were blown away, the performances put in by Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen were amazing. I am a big fan of Michael Sheen, beacause he adds that extra layer of believability when he plays a well known person in a film.
For instance; his portrayal of Brian Clough, in The Damned United was first class. And his Tony Blair in The Queen was spot on as well, he captured his mannerisms, his smile and exuberance.
The same can be said for the lovely Helen Mirren. It is clearly not essential to portray your character just like the real person, but if you think that they are the Queen, then you get drawn into the film so much more. Mirren did this for me with her portrayal of HRH, making the fictional play on the facts that much more enjoyable.
Kudos should go to Director Stephen Frears and Writer Peter Morgan, for bridging the gap between fact and fiction and back again. Yes, we all know the facts surrounding the death of Diana, and the perceived uncaring nature of the monarchy immediately after.
Is this entirely true?
Did the Queen intentionally stay away from London?
Did she refuse to have the Royal Standard flag flown at half mast over Buckingham Palace?
Did she not want to make a public statement regarding the death of Diana?
Whatever the reasons for her actions, we'll probably never know, but this film gives a stab surmising the reality and does so in a dramatic fashion. Showing Tony Blair in a good light and the Royal Family in a distinctly bad one.
However, at the end of the film, I think the Queen comes out on top and was portrayed in a more favourable light, certainly within the context of the story.
As I say, this is purely a fictionalised spin on the events that happened, whether there is a thread of truth in it, who knows, but I would love to think that when Prince Phillip gets in to bed with the Queen at night, that he does say; "Move over Cabbage"!
If you were affected by the events of the summer of 1997, and who wasn't? Even the most uncaring person, could not have missed the outpouring of grief that occured. Then this is a delightful and poignant film to watch, whether you believe any of the fiction or not.
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