The Queen (2006)

Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, Roger Allam, Alex Jennings, James Cromwell, Helen McCrory, Sylvia Syms, Mark Bazeley, Tim McMullan. [PG-13]

Following the death of Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II (Mirren) chooses to remain private, passive and dignified while the country struggles to mourn and deal with their grief; recently-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Sheen), however, encourages her to abandon the stoicism and address her people. Surprisingly intimate portrait provides a glimpse into the private lives of the monarchy, dominated by two very effective performances (Mirren earned universal hosannas—and an Oscar—for her splendidly nuanced work, yet mannered but magnificent Sheen is nearly her equal). Benefits from Peter Morgan’s insightful and gently humorous script, though some of the supporting characterizations are shaky (notably Cromwell’s grouchy Prince Philip), and because the film so often focuses on the isolated, publicly aloof world of the royals, it lacks strong dramatic interest or the context of perception—even with the occasional person-on-the-street news clip, what stirred the passions of the people remains elusive to anyone who didn’t live through it in Britain. Frears is always better served with venom soaked into the strings he pulls, so it can’t be considered surprising (or even disappointing) that the quietly intriguing film he delivers leans closer to “respectable” than “spellbinding.” Definitely needed more scenes with those adorable Corgis.

74/100