A royal treat.

Rating: 8/10 (5 December 2011)

When the former Duchess of York died in a foreign country due to a drunk-driving accident, the British royal family took only a passing interest. After all, Diana Spencer had divorced out of their ranks and used the celebrity they provided to turn herself into one of the globe?s biggest star often at their expense. Their subjects, who all but worshipped the tall, lean, blond, erupted into anger over ?The Royals? indifference and Queen Elizabeth II found herself facing the true possibility of the end of the monarchy. Director Stephen Frears does a masterful job of balancing the competing motivations of The Queen and her family, politician Tony Blair and a stunned and furious global public. The tension between the most traditional of institutions and its need to change or potentially perish makes this a fascinating story. The cast is so good that Michael Sheen who does a very good job as Tony Blair actually stands out because he doesn?t quite capture the full political slickness that the actual Blair exudes. Just a handful of nits keep this from being a truly transcendent movie. There are a few odd shots including a ?Grand Canyon? helicopter trip over Balmoral which feels like filler. Princes William and Harry are never shown as characters despite several scenes where they are just off camera or just behind a half-open door. Also, there is a very unlikely sequence where Her Majesty goes four-wheelin? and has to call someone to pick her up after she blows an axle (really?). However, overall a very well done and compelling movie and well worth your time.