The Queen

Rating: 7/10 (17 April 2013)

Summary: The movie "The Queen" ,from Stephen Freas, was released in 2006. It deals with Lady Diana's death, the Queen's reaction towards it and how the new Prime minister, Tony Blair (Martin Sheen), changes her behavior. The Film takes place in 1997. The movie begins with , the entering of the new Prime minister. The Queen receives Tony Blair in a short and ceremonial. Tony Blair, who has become Prime minister to modernize the UK and now he is eyeball to eyeball with the traditional monarchy. The main storyline begins when the Queen is awakened by a servant. He tells the Queen and her husband that something happened to Diana. The Queen's husband's first reaction is to ask what she did again. When they get informed that she had a bad car accident they show no emotions, what is crossed through the whole movie. Nearly at the same time Tony Blair is informed and his response is completely different. He is shocked from the news and instantly calls the Queen to arrange the official reaction. His plan is to fly to Paris. Only heavily the Queen can be convinced. The decision to give no statement, because Diana is not a member of the royal family anymore will bring her big problems. The next morning Tony Blair on the contrary gives on the next morning his first statement where he points out his grief towards Diana's death. He names Diana the "princess of the hearts" which brings him a lot of popularity. The royal family decides to remain behind closed doors, in Balmoral Castle, which turns out as a big mistake. The heartbroken public and media pass criticism on their Queen. In Balmoral Castle the Queen and her husband curiously follow the media. They are shocked about the reaction of the public. But the queen decides against all recommendations to stay and to give no statement. The next request by the public is to fly the flag over Buckingham Palace on half-mast. This would be against the royal protocol so the Queen forbids it. While the royal family spends their holidays the voices against the monarchy get louder and louder. During a trip in the wilderness the queen's car breaks down and she has to wait for help. This is the only scene in the whole movie where she is completely alone. While she sits and waits for help, she sees a beautiful stag. She hears shooting and barking and starts to cry. This is one of the two scenes where she is shown as a human being and not as the head of state. In the end Tony Blair can convince the Queen to make a public funeral service. When she comes back to London and sees the tons of flowers in front of the Buckingham palace she is about to cry. When she meets Tony Blair again she takes more time to talk to him and invites him for walk.
The movie "The Queen" in my opinion is a good movie which deals with monarchy in a critical way. The acting performance of Helen Mirren and Martin Sheen is excellent. The Oscar for Mirren is definitely legitimated. With the original TV sequences and the acting performance of all the actors the movie seems very authentic. I think everyone who thinks critically about monarchy should watch it. It shows the real face of the royal family, but also the big public pressure.
Republicans will enjoy it.