Over-hyped and silly. For royalists only.

Rating: 3/10 (11 July 2008)

I had high expectations of The Queen. The reviews are sparkling - on here like everywhere else. A brilliant and representative character drama, we are told. I have to say I didn't spot it.
I did laugh. In the right places too - the jokes are good. And Mirren performs excellently, of course. But this script...!?! What is this supposed to be? It's a silly story, literally reminiscent of The Royle Family. Neither Queen, nor Blair, nor Royal family are at all plausible. It's like a cheap, made-for-TV ITV drama, with very expensive sets.
Where it fails most utterly is in capturing the mood of the nation at that memorable time. Like most of the reviewers I remember this time well and this reflects my recollection of events not at all. The emphasis seems to be way off. There is great attention lavished upon odd, relatively obscure events. I am prepared to believe that maybe life was truly like this for a small minority of aristocracy-obsessed Sun readers, but for the rest of us it really wasn't. It comes across as if contrived to make a point - I'm not sure exactly what - but fails to do so because of the implausible script.
I think my disappointment may be down to off-the-mark expectations. I expected a) an intelligent treatment of the Queen as a subject and b) quality film-making (which can typically shine through regardless of subject matter). I found neither - it's about Diana, not Elizabeth, and the film-making is naff.
I was also disappointed by the treatment of Blair - I felt like I was watching Rik Mayal as Alan B'stard. Mrs Blair is particularly one-dimensional as the unhelpful, anti-monarchy first lady (has she been cast like this purely for being Catholic?).
I can only assume that the delighted reviews are from Diana's many fans, or at least individuals deeply interested in her and her legacy - I suspect this group will enjoy the film. Enthusiastic royalists who just want to see their heroes portrayed on screen may also like it. However if you're looking for a historical treatment, an intelligent review of whether monarchy can remain relevant, or a period study of Britain in 1997 you'll have to look elsewhere.