Last night, we went to see THE QUEEN, with Helen Mirren. She was fantastic. The night before, we’d watched the final two episodes of PRIME SUSPECT. So it was startling to watch her play two such radically different parts. She’s clearly one of the great actors of our age.
Have you seen THE QUEEN? It’s about Queen Elizabeth and her family, coping with the days immediately after Princess Diana’s death. The contrasts in the movie are startling. We see the queen living in luxurious surroundings with servants prepared to do anything she requires. I was particularly taken with her gardens, since I love gardens. There’s a scene where she comes in from outside to take a call from the prime minister "in the kitchen." The kitchen is the size of a large restaurant kitchen. While she picks up the phone, the staff of ten or fifteen clears out to give her privacy.
Yet, even with all her privileges, she’s boxed in. She’s tried to keep her response to Diana’s death low-key. Finally, she’s forced to take Tony Blair’s advice and react the way the people want her to react. It’s a very difficult period for her. And she’s still angry with Blair months later. When they meet, she tells him that the people will eventually turn on him, and it will happen suddenly. It made me wonder if they’d added that line late in the production process, after he got into political trouble over the war in Iraq.
Also startling is the contrast between Blair’s life and the queen’s. She lives in luxury. We see him in a crowded kitchen, with his wife and three children, sitting around a small table. It’s so unglamorous and ordinary. Not the way you’d think the leader of the British government would live.
At the same time, even in her luxurious surroundings, the queen wants to drive her own SUV around her estate and also pass out the bowls at a family picnic.
There’s not a lot of action in the movie. It’s a character study. And it’s startling to listen to the bad advice Elizabeth is getting from her family. If you’re interested in character, I’d highly recommend it. And there are amusing little throwaway touches–like the ninety-something-year-old queen mother drinking a double martini while she watches Elizabeth’s TV speech about Diana.
Have you seen the movie? If so, what do you think?
Rebecca
Haven’t seen it…honestly havent even heard of it! It sounds interesting though.
Alyssa
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — November 27, 2006 @ 4:14 pm
Have not heard anything about this movie.
Comment by Estella — November 27, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
Interesting that you haven’t heard of it!
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — November 27, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
I can’t wait to see this movie! I’m in to the Royals big time. Reading your post makes me wanna see it very badly, Rebecca.
Comment by Melissa — November 27, 2006 @ 6:03 pm
It was very interesting to me, particularly since I just finished an Intrigue with a princess as a heroine–a woman who is all about duty to her country.
Meanwhile, for those who didn’t hear about the movie, the Washington Post did a big interview with Helen Mirren when the movie first came out.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — November 27, 2006 @ 6:14 pm
I saw it when I was in LA and it is fascinating–I was both angry at her and sorry for her at the same time…she carried it off totally–she’s a terrific actress..
Nicole
Comment by Nicole Byrd — November 28, 2006 @ 1:18 am
Nicole, I agree. But I felt like she was getting terrible advice from her mom and her husband.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — November 28, 2006 @ 1:35 am
I haven’t made it to THE QUEEN
Comment by Julia Templeton — November 28, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
Sorry, hit the wrong key and my post got cut off in mid-sentence. Too much caffeine this morning…
Anyway, I haven’t made it to THE QUEEN yet, but I did watch Helen in the miniseries ELIZABETH w/Jeremy Irons. It focuses on the later years of Elizabeth’s reign, and Helen does an amazing job.
I’ll definitely get out to see THE QUEEN soon!
Comment by Julia Templeton — November 28, 2006 @ 4:35 pm
I also saw Elizabeth I on T.V., too. Yes, Helen Mirren was really good in that, also. But it was HORRIBLY bloody.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — November 28, 2006 @ 6:38 pm