Superb dialogue

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2006)

The interesting thing is that by the end of the movie we feel better about both Blair and the Queen. They have both been doing their best, as they see it, at a very difficult time. Who knows how true to life this was? But the screenplay, and especially the dialogue, seems authentic, which is what matters. The decision to keep the young princes out of the picture entirely showed good judgement. The supporting roles generally work well, although I suspect Charles took a rather more active role than the script suggests. The Queen Mother's fondness for a drink and the Queen's less than close relationship with her sister are skilfully hinted at. We sympathise with Prince Philip's exasperation at Diana's notorious television interview. The private secretary, in fact all the members of the household, at Balmoral and the Palace, are utterly believable. Two very small incidents, one good, one not so good, stick in the memory. Good: the Queen's mild surprise when Blair actually kisses her hand (it should be a merely formal touching). Not so good: the Queen tells a member of her staff, "I used to be a mechanic during the war." Her staff know this, of course. She is telling us (the audience) not them. But I must not nitpick. This was a truly excellent film.