There are no real Fairy Tales

Rating: 8/10 (22 October 2006)

Greetings again from the darkness. "And the Oscar goes to ... Helen Mirren". It appears the talented and charming star of such films as "Calendar Girls" and "Gosford Park" may just hear those words in 2007. She captures the spirit, look and nuances of Queen Elizabeth II in this behind the scenes peek at the clashes between the government and monarchy in the few days after Princess Di's death.
There could have been no better selection for director than full Brit, Stephen Frears who is known for such fine films as "Mrs. Henderson Presents" and "Dangerous Liasons". We never doubt for a moment, Frears love of his homeland nor his insight into the public confusion in regards to the royal snubbing of Diana and the citizens in those first painful days. He does make a bit of a hero out of newly elected Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair (an effective, if slightly over the top performance by Michael Sheen). Blair does speak many of the lines that were in the thoughts of the world at that time ... such as "Somebody save these people from themselves".
By mixing in real news video and grainy recreations of the Royal Family, Frears does a nice job of putting us back in 1997. Casting for the Royal Family is completed by Sylvia Syms as The Queen Mother, James Cromwell as a slightly daft Prince Philip and Alex Jennings as a very caring a weak Prince Charles, who seems to understand the issues, but lacks the back bone to make it happen.
This is without a doubt Helen Mirren's moment to shine and she is downright chilling at times. How odd to see an authoritative figure who really only seems at ease and happy when walking her well trained dogs. Fifty years of putting up a front in which you believe so strongly, but is so out of touch with one's world is quite a burden. Of course, as an American I am only an outside observer to the whole situation, but I do feel Mr. Frears captures the chasm between the masses and the Monarchy.