Review of The Queen (2006) by Max E — 23 Dec 2012

While initially prompted to see this film for a study on feminist film theory, I was aware of some of the hype, and Mirren's praise for her performance. It seems I have been missing out.

Since this film was released, I've seen and enjoyed Margin Call, and to some extent I can say the same for The King's Speech, two films I was quickly reminded of here. The observational perspective of a disaster from Margin Call, of course, and the varied tone, humour and the consistent brilliant acting from TKS.

I might as well head for the key factor here, Mirren's portrayal of my Queen, speaking as a Brit. A select few have the privilege of knowing her in personal company, but what I have heard and read about her private and official personality seems to be reflected in this rendition. Mirren has a very expressive face, and while the standard expression may appear cold, the tiniest details in her body language are very revealing, perfect for the role. A big emphasis on subtlety (as ironic as that sounds), with a master of the Queen's accent.

I wasn't aware of Michael Sheen's performance here, though I should have guessed he'd be involved. His portrayal of Blair was, as one would expect, brilliant and serious. Cromwell was excellent, though naturally wasn't quite scene-stealing, something he isn't really known for even when playing a president. The surprise in the cast came in the form of Alex Jennings' role as Prince Charles, who nailed the accent and mannerisms, at least to the best of my knowledge. There's something about the royal and aristocratic accent that I can't get enough of.

I found the music a little distracting at times, given the relatively dark theme of the film's story and the overall tone remaining one of contention, frustration and dignified mourning. The cinematography doesn't quite stand out either; it simply serves its purpose and doesn't deliver much in terms of creative flair, something Margin Call or even TKS were more known for in comparison.

Another little issue I have is the film's length. At roughly 90 minutes, it seemed quite minimal, yet included many scenes that were somewhat inconsequential. If I'm honest, I'm not sure what I would have changed, but I still found it underwhelming.

In short, The Queen is an acting showcase, and the story equates to a mere demo. It makes for an enjoyable watch, but doesn't stack up well against the other two films I mentioned.