As Good As It Gets

Rating: 10/10 (7 October 2006)

Helen Mirren is a superb actress. For nearly one hour and forty five minutes she becomes Queen Elizabeth II, giving us a glimpse of what it must have been for that remarkable woman during a very stressful week of her life. Director Stephen Frears demonstrates what assured directing can produce. The film flows easily from beginning to end, carefully weaving a narrative where everyone gets a chance to present his / her view.
Mirren perfectly portrays the conflicted monarch who must balance her set and conventional views with what it is needed from her during a critical time in the history of her country. Suddenly she risks becoming archaic and portrayed as a unfeeling monster, a characterization that interacting with her famous daughter in law she managed to develop in the eyes of her country.
With the astute intervention of her newly elected Prime Minister, things might take a turn for the better. The end result is not surprising because it is by now public knowledge, what is fascinating is the trip there, an emotional ride with enough class to appeal to the old guard and intense dramatic components to make even the most cynical member of the audience react and get all sentimental.
The film has exquisite production values, with gorgeous camera-work and a magnificent musical score that fits its theme very well. It is a pleasure to know Frears has come up with another royal winner.