Review of A Royal Affair (2012) by Emily D — 13 Oct 2013

I've already stated I'm a sucker for costume dramas and this one contains everything in the title: A Royal Affair.

As much as this is a movie about love it's also about a nation trying to free itself from religious oppression. The King, Christian, suffers from mental instability with a very child like demeanor; he loves acting and games. Our English protagonist, Caroline, is married to Christian before even meeting him and is surprised at how rude and vulgar he is. When she produces an heir she resolves to have nothing to do with him.

Enter Johann. A small town doctor who is anonymously involved with the Enlightenment (a group of people opposed to the religious oppression). He is appointed as the King's personal physician and is able to control Christian through words. He becomes Christian's friend and mentor, helping Christian have a part in the council as opposed to being treated as just the document signee.

What is very endearing is the relationship between all three of the cast members. Christian loves and trusts Johann, imitating and looking up to him as a big brother figure. While Caroline connects with Johann through books and ideology. This is conveyed through the scene after Johann gives their baby an inoculation. Christian sits in between Johann and Caroline, each of his hand holds the others.

Director Nikolaj Arcel doesn't rush the affair as the title would suggest. It takes Caroline a long time before she is able to trust Johann and once she gives into temptation everything crumbles downhill from there. Their love and their affair attribute to their own demise. Johann foreshadows the ending though earlier in the story stating Frederick's (Caroline's son) generation will be the generation that takes control.

Aside from having to read subtitles (sometimes I get annoyed because I can't pay attention to the editing/scenes etc) I don't have any criticisms. The movie has a dark, dank coloring to it that fits quite perfectly with the time period. I'm always amazed at foreign costume dramas, they always feel more authentic than American versions.