Issue 147

The Queen

23rd October 2006

This is a movie about passion, duty and the tragic event of Princess Diana's death in August 1997. After the passing of the Princess, the Queen (Dame Helen Mirren) finds herself in conflict with the modern, newly elected Prime Minister, Tony Blair (Michael Sheen). Against the advice of her Prime Minister, the Queen decides to remain at Balmoral. She doesn't want to accept the public's sympathies and according to royal protocol, is happy to accept the Spencer family's wish for a private funeral. The lack of an official statement from the Royal Family annoys the public and especially Tony Blair, who tries to reunite the public with their Queen. Forced to handle this situation publicly rather than privately, the Queen has to give into public demands for a service of remembrance thus limiting further damage to the crown.

In this sensitive drama Stephen Frears (Mrs Henderson Presents) shows the tragedy from the perspective of the Queen, portraying her at one of her most challenging times. Torn between privacy, duty and her own feelings, which she treats secondly to those of the nation, she is forced to decide what is best for herself, her grandchildren and for the crown.

Frears' attempts to show the Royal family and its human side and portrays the Queen as a strong leading character, full of passion for her people but with a hold of old traditions and protocols. In illustrating the royal duties forced upon the Queen that she would clearly rather not have, Frears' is able to depict her highness as a woman with plenty of sarcasm and British humour. Helen Mirren's extraordinary performance portrays the Queen as a dignified woman, struggling to do the best for her grandchildren. She battles with a self-inflicted need for perfection in the leading of her nation, all the while trying to maintain tradition at the same time as showing a modern and forward thinking side to please her people.

The movie impresses with powerful pictures, touching music and archival footage recalling the nation halting experience of August 1997. Although reflecting on a dramatic event in recent British History, there are many elements which remain light hearted. Especially topical, with more than a subtle swipe at the current establishment, is the final scene in which the Queen reflects on her own role in the weeks after Princess Diana's death. Reflecting on the negative opinion polls portrayed by the media at the time of the tragedy, she turns to Tony Blair and says: "You may be popular now but in a few years this could also happen to you, Mr Blair."

Andrea Baumgartner-Ledger