Tradition

Rating: 10/10 (20 October 2006)

There is a moment late in the film where Queen Elizabeth seems almost human when she meets P.M. Tony Blair three months after the death of Princess Diana. It is at that moment that she seems grateful for what Mr. Blair was able to convey to the grieving nation, and for coming to her defense when everyone was down on the institution she represents.
"The Queen" is a recap of the tragic week England, and the rest of the world lived in 1997 when Diana Spencer, the beautiful Princess of Wales, and the mother of the future king of England died tragically in Paris. Tony Blair, who had been elected Prime Minister shortly before the tragedy, was the one who sensed what the public wanted from their Queen and he goes against his Queen's wishes to stay behind the scenes and go on with a private funeral. That tactical error on the Queen's part catapulted Tony Blair to be seen by the English in a different light.
We are given glimpses of a Queen Elizabeth that wants to stick to the traditions that had been observed in a rigid England. She had no intention of changing for anything in the world, and neither does the Queen Mother. Prince Philip's way to dealing with what his grandsons are going through is taking them hunting to keep them occupied. There is no feeling of tenderness, or even one of love between the Queen and her grandchildren, or for Charles, her oldest son.
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for more than fifty three years. Monarchy fell on her when her father died. Duty weighs heavily on everything she does. Elizabeth, a no nonsense woman, lives in the tradition that doesn't deviate for nothing or anyone. The death of Diana put an end to a life the Queen must have despised for being a young woman with a popularity of her own. Diana represented everything the Queen abhorred so her ultimate demise is a relief for Elizabeth. That is why she doesn't want to do anything for the Princess of Wales because she considers her not a member of the royal family.
What Elizabeth didn't take into consideration was the reaction of the English people when they learned about the beautiful Diana. The grief they felt was alien to Elizabeth who had been taught to hide her feelings and carry on, the way it was expected of her. Her mistake for not reading the public's sentiment was something she never expected and it backfired on her.
Stephen Frears, the talented director of "The Queen", is a man who clearly was a natural for the material. Peter Morgan's screen play tries to give us a portrait of a woman in turmoil at a point of her life when the Queen and the royal family were at the center of tabloid scandals caused by a sensational press that saw any opportunity to ridicule the monarchy.
It's difficult to imagine any other actress but Helen Mirren to play the Queen of England. Ms. Mirren's mannerisms, the royal way in which she moves to give the viewer an idea of what the real Queen Elizabeth is in real life, is what makes the film to be the tremendous crowd pleaser it is. Helen Mirren clearly understands this woman and brings her to life so naturally.
Michael Sheen, who plays Tony Blair, equally matches Ms. Mirren. This is perhaps Mr. Sheen's best role in quite a while. James Cromwell's Prince Philip shows a callous man who seems out of touch with reality. Sylvia Syms is seen as the Queen Mother. Roger Allan appears as the Queen's secretary, Robbin Janvrin. Alex Jennings plays Prince Charles.
The film is made even better by Affonso Beato's cinematography and the music score by Alexandre Desplat plays well in the background. Ultimately, this is the triumph for Stephen Frears and Helen Mirren.