Review of A Royal Affair (2012) by Joe H — 19 Sep 2014

A sumptuous historical drama capturing the birth pains of the Enlightenment in Denmark, and the central scandal that obstructed much needed social reform. The writing is exquisite, and the performances of Vikander and Mikkelsen are inspired.

But it is Mikkel Følsgaard who steals the show in his staggering Oscar-worthy performance as King Christian VII, a man betrayed by his friend and broken into submission by his power-hungry council. A Royal Affair paints a full picture of both the virtues and imperfections of the Enlightenment, while inevitably highlighting one of the movement's fundamental flaws: the presupposition that humankind is more noble than it is.