thirdlady

I saw the exceptional movie last night on dvd words can't descripe how good it is I'd highly recommend it!

The Queen (2006)



Helen Mirren's Oscar was Well deserved

A.S.Carroll
"Happiness isn't sold in bottles you have to achieve it in your own lifetime!"

Moor Larkin

How come it's gone straight to DVD then?
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[code]http://www.flickr.com/photos/29487363@N02/sets/72157606700675506/code]

alan gowdy

It seems to me that the time between theatrical release and DVD release is only around 3 months these days - e.g. Casino Royale out next week.

thirdlady

casino royale will be out this monday

A.S.Carroll
"Happiness isn't sold in bottles you have to achieve it in your own lifetime!"

NathanC

Great film offering a look at the more human side of Queen Elizabeth II. I think Helen Mirren is an absolutely amazing actress and this role offers her plenty of material to work with. She fits into the role of the monarch as snugly as your foot fits into a new shoe and her Oscar was 100% deserved. James Cromwell also deserves praise for his portrayl of Prince Phillip (some of his lines, especially the Hilda and Hector one, made me chuckle.) Michael Sheen too acts his heart out with his utterly convincing role as the then-new Prime Minister Tony Blair.

DB7

If I'm honest I found it fairly bland and given Michael Sheen's time on screen it should perhaps have been titled The Deal II. For some reason it reminds me of a Working Title tourist depiction aimed at projecting British caricatures; in fact I was expecting Rory Bremner to pop up in a couple of roles.

NathanC

You have made some good points there DB7. One thing I can't help but notice is that the title "The Queen" indicates a biographical feel to the film when in reality it is only about the aftermath of Princess Diana's death and it has amost as much of Tony Blair as it has the Queen herself. Maybe it should be called "The Queen and her Prime Minister."

DB7

It's the same team as The Deal and tbh I'd have liked to have seen some background to Diana's divorce and subsequent parting from the Royal Family. But Diana is a very hot potatoe subject wise and somebody you could only portray sympathetically (or the press would crucify Frears).

Mirren is truly fabulous, it's Blair's character that seems part Spitting Image/part Rory Bremner. (tho Sheen is a very good actor, particularly in his real-life characterisations)

I fully expect there's already talk of Part III to the story, probably Iraq and Blair stepping down.

Steve Crook

Or The Prime Minister and his Queen?
Or might that make people think it was about Peter Mandleson?

Steve

rskershaw

I thought the theme of the film is how The Queen has had to adapt to changing times? Diana's death merely being the catalyst.

DB7

I think Diana's death was one of the main themes. But it's all supposition and some if it a bit unfair; like the Queen's stiff upper-lipped response to Diana's death, but weeps over a slain stag.

Dame Starry

I have only seen this film once and I quite enjoyed it but, for me, Sylvia Syms stole all the scenes she was in as The Queen Mother - I thought she was absolutely brilliant.

YDSL x.

Cookie123

I think the slain stag killed by the shooting party was a parallel to the paprazzi slaying Diana - the Queen was portayed wonderfully by Helen M as deeply upset by the slags death which I think meant she felt the same to about Dianas death deep down and in private. What do you think?

DB7

Frears claimed the stag was an analogy to the monarchy; something once proud and regal in need of culling. I'm sure Blair's memoirs will shed some light on events but the Queen's thoughts during such private moments will probably go to the grave with her.

Apparently the Queen had deep concern during Maggie's reign as PM so beneath the regal facade she might not be as insensitive as portrayed.

Steve Crook

Surely one thing the film did make clear was that it was because of the way they were brought up that they kept their emotions private and never made public displays of emotion. Look at the first reaction of Philip & the Queen Mum, effectively saying "It's nothing to do with anyone else, keep them all away"

Frears might claim that about the stag. But I think that Cookie's reading of it is even more valid

Steve