Okay, okay – yes, it’s really more of a TV movie type movie than the kind people should be Oscar buzzing about, but throughout the course of watching this movie, I began to realise the weight of the subject matter in much the same way I did the seriousness of “that week” as it happened when I was 17 years old and really couldn’t fully see why everyone was so upset, and came to see it ultimately as a much larger movie than it appears.

If anything, it’s surprising that it has taken so long for a movie about Princess Diana to emerge. Like the 9/11 movies, it’s almost a sure-fire hit, at least emotions-wise. Even though I was never anywhere near as emotionally attached to the Princess of Wales as so many people worldwide clearly were, I can’t help getting choked up during the many pieces of archive footage shown here.

One of the many great things about this movie is how it appeals to all takes on “that week” – somehow managing to be a little bit cheeky here, a little bit cynical there, yet still strangely loyal throughout; cold and detached in places, yet somehow warm and nostalgic at the same time. I don’t know if this movie really needed to be made, but I really don’t think it could’ve been made better, and you’ll struggle to find a more even-handed movie anywhere else this year. The characters truly speak for themselves, from an excellent screenplay that positively glows with authenticity – one of my favourite lines comes from The Queen Mother, who is often spoken of in interviews with those who knew her as having a particular sense of humour – “If there is a photographer out there, he could be the first kill of the day…”

For me, the performances, including Helen Mirren’s, took some adjusting to – in these days of Rory Bremner, “Dead Ringers”, “Double Take” etc, it’s almost impossible to take any actors playing royalty or politicians entirely seriously, you find yourself kind of waiting for a gag even if – in fact, even if you’re watching the real deal, lol … but all the players here walk the tightrope between slight imitation and interpretation with immense confidence. It doesn’t hurt that the movie is littered with comedy, something I don’t think anyone but Stephen Frears could have pulled off so well considering the subject matter.

At just a little over 90 minutes, it is almost certain I’ll be watching this one again, and I look forward to it. I don’t think this movie is perfect, or even really a movie, for that matter; but it captures a week that, for whatever reason, I do have very strong memories of, and I’m glad the movie exists if only as a kind of cinematic time capsule. Helen Mirren’s portrayal of a woman forced to upturn decades of routine and protocol is genuinely affecting, and she’s surrounded a brilliantly cast ensemble. The recreation of moments, sometimes incorporating archive footage, is nothing short of perfection at times, and as I said, the comic relief is a wonderfully pleasant, strangely respectful, surprise.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 16th, 2006 at 4:26 am in 4 hearts, Movie Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.