Now I see what the fuss is about. Given the talent involved I figured this film (which focuses on the week following the death of Princess Diana) would be well made and diverting. Helen Mirren has her excellent reputation for a reason, and has deftly given many fine performances in a variety of roles (Prime Suspect, The Madness of King George, Where Angels Fear to Tread and The Cook The Thief His Wife & Her Lover illustrate her range). And Stephen Frears (The Grifters, The Snapper, Dangerous Liasons, Dirty Pretty Things, High Fidelity) has been one of my favorite directors for many years. That said, I still thought this would be a small picture - sort of a particularly well-made episode of Masterpiece Theater. I underestimated it.
The overall themes are obvious enough, and predictable - the conflict between change and tradition, and the inability of those raised in different cultures to understand how others outside their set interpret events. That said, just because something's predictable doesn't mean it's not affecting. And just because something is small doesn't mean it's not exceptionally well-made and enjoyable.
Frears does a wonderful job of putting life and movement into a film were little obvious action occurs. And to say that the cast is splendid would almost be an understatement. Everyone does exactly what they are supposed to do, and they do it very, very well - particularly those on the royal side of the divide (but I think the writing on that side of things was stronger, so they might have had a slight edge from that). Mirren and Michael Sheen (Tony Blair) could easily get Oscar nominations, and I won't be the least bit surprised to see Mirren walk off with the golden statue next year. She's great. But, again, so are many of the others in the film. In short, I liked it a lot - it's very finely crafted, interesting, and quite enjoyable.
Posted by armand at November 18, 2006 11:27 PM | TrackBack | Posted to MoviesHelen Mirren... not always a frump!
Frears is really impressive. Have you ever seen the Snapper? With Colm Meany?
Posted by: binky at November 19, 2006 12:02 AM | PERMALINKMost definitely not always a frump - I mean she was prominently featured in Caligula, after all.
And yeah, I really liked The Snapper.
Posted by: Armand at November 19, 2006 09:29 AM | PERMALINKWell, I guess I was expecting more (since Mirren got the Oscar for this).
It was a good movie, don't get me wrong, just not an "amazing" movie. Mirren was good (though, to be honest, her emotional range was rather limited; this may be accurate - or not, we don't know - but it wasn't that amazing); Sheen was better (I thought).
Posted by: baltar at August 18, 2007 10:30 PM | PERMALINKIsn't the point not that Mirren's range is limited, but that the Queen herself is only permitted (or only permits herself) to display a limited range of emotions?
Posted by: binky at August 18, 2007 10:39 PM | PERMALINKYeah, if you believe the writer (who, as the credits note, has no actual information in this movie, and may be pulling things out of his ass).
However (leaving that aside), did Mirren really do the best acting job in 2006 (for a woman) by successfully portraying someone with a very limited emotional range? I'm not sure I'm buying it (I'm, instead, wondering if the Academy did it's "that person has a great career, and so we should give them an Oscar even though they don't deserve it for this role" award.)
Posted by: baltar at August 18, 2007 10:50 PM | PERMALINKI love her. She's hot. She deserved it. SHe'll turn you into a newt.
And what do you mean, no information?
I thought some of the best stuff was listening to Frears.
Posted by: binky at August 18, 2007 11:03 PM | PERMALINKI'm with Binky on this. I thought she was great, and that the point of the performance was that she was playing someone who learned to be very careful, contained and quiet with every moment and movement of her life.
That said, last year's Best Actress nominees -Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep; Little Children, Kate Winslet; Notes on a Scandal, Judi Dench; Volver, Penélope Cruz - included several strong performances, so if you'd have given the statue to someone other than Mirren, that's not necessarily a shot at Mirren. But yeah, I thought she did a great job.
Posted by: Armand at August 19, 2007 09:04 AM | PERMALINK
