Captivating and Moving

Rating: 10/10 (18 September 2006)

I was curious as to what to expect from this movie - I'm not a particular monarchist and have no time for TV 'docu-dramas' etc - but this movie is a real tour de force and I was utterly captivated. Mirren's performance, in particular, is remarkable - understated and yet seething with emotion: anger, loneliness, confusion and regret. I also liked how there were multiple narratives in the film - Cherie Blair is the firebrand Republican, Prince Philip the callous old timer, Prince Charles sensitive yet paranoid, Blair's adviser cynical and self-serving - all have their view of the unfolding drama and this allows the viewer to take from the film what they like. Even Diana herself has a recurrent presence in the film - with archive footage showing glances, tears and comment adding tension to the main plot. There are also significant moments where much is left unsaid and it's for one's own imagination to fill in the gaps. Finally, the film is extremely comical in many instances - the Blairs first meeting with the Queen quite hilarious!