The Queen

I really wasn't interested in seeing this film as I generally find the whole celebrity phenomenon boring. When the film got six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Frears,) and Best Original Screenplay I was forced to say, well, best take a look. But of course, my curiosity was most piqued by the fact that everyone sort of drooled, and went on and on about Helen Mirren, and she did win Best Actress just as the masses had foretold. For playing Elizabeth II? How do we get this kind of outpouring of worship for playing a person so... dull?

I was pleasantly surprised. The film of course, concentrates on the royal reaction to the death of Princess Diana, (another person who's ability to fascinate leaves me utterly stumped, but I digress.) Being on the other side of the camera, in the quiet chambers of a family, you are deftly shown the private side of a public tragedy. The film is sympathetic without being sappy, and asks us to consider the pressures of duty, the power of tradition, and the prison of a station in life that leaves you few real choices.

Mirren imbues her Queen with strength and dignity, while giving us a peek at her self doubt. She is glorious. But a strong supporting cast, including James Cromwell as the caustic Prince Philip and Michael Sheen (no, he's a Brit) as a young, idealistic Tony Blair, carry their load. The story's been told to death, I know, but this is a more human version and worth an evening.

See the website here.