Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Under the Radar



Dan's most recent comment on Sunday's with Sue reminded me that I haven't done an Under the Radar posting in a long time. I decided it was time to do one, and the first movie that popped into my head was The Queen. This movie was released in 2006, and I love it! This movie did get quite a bit of attention when it came out, but I'm not sure a lot of people saw it. So I am counting it as an Under the Radar movie. I was just telling Emily about this movie a couple of days ago.

The movie takes place in 1997 right after the death of Princess Diana. The Queen decides the best thing to do for the boys (William and Harry) is take them from Buckingham Palace to another castle in the country so they can go hunting and get some fresh air. She has it in her head the Diana's death is a family affair and should be dealt with privately.

Tony Blair has just been elected Prime Minister and finds himself in the middle of dealing with the grieving public and the Queen who absolutely refuses to make any kind of public statement. As each day passes, the newspaper headlines become more and more scathing towards the Queen. In the end, Tony Blair has to put his foot down and demand that the Queen do something. He doesn't even give her a choice on what to do, he tells her what she must do, which in a Monarchy, just doesn't happen.

It may not sound all that interesting, but it really is. I think what I liked the best about it, is it shows just how out of touch the royal family is from the people. The Queen, the Queen Mum, and Prince Philip are really surprised by the grief people around the world felt, and not only are they surprised, they are kind of disgusted about it. It shows some behind closed doors scenes between the Queen and Prince Philip that are great. Prince Philip is really a jerk and could really care less about the people.

As I understand it, this is a very realistic portrayal of what really happened during the week before Diana's funeral. I remember hearing an interview with the screenwriter and director on Fresh Air. Someone who was very tight with the family at the time, I think it was the Queen's personal assistant or something, helped the screenwriter with the details.

The acting in this movie is great! Helen Mirren plays the Queen, and won the Oscar for it. James Cromwell is Prince Philip, he does a great job. I really like that actor. Another one of those actors you see all the time, but never leading roles. Like Richard Jenkins in the Visitor, he was also in Six Feet Under. He played the mom's second husband who comes down with Alzheimers. And Michael Sheen plays Tony Blair, and does a fantastic job. He looks just like him! If you aren't familiar with his name, he plays David Frost in Frost/Nixon, which comes out today! Can't wait to see it. I also just found out he is going to play Aros in New Moon.

If you've seen The Queen, let me know what you thought of it. If you haven't, you should see it. I've noticed it on cable a couple of times, so you can watch for it there.

7 comments:

Amy said...

I saw this movie a while ago and I thought it was good, too. The acting was great. It was interesting to see the lack of respect for Diana the royal family had and, like you said, how disonnected they were from the people of their own country and around the world.

Pops said...

Mom and I saw it four or five months ago. We liked it a lot and had the same thoughts that Amy had in the above comments. Amazing how the Royal family acted toward Diana after the divorce and then the accident. Snobs of the highest order. Worth watching. I can't wait to see Frost/Nixon, Sue. It should be a treat.

Dan W said...

Ditto on liking it a lot.

Helen Mirren is always amazing.

Emily said...

From the looks of it, I am the only one that this movie went under my radar. I will get on that. I'll watch The Changeling too dad.

Sue said...

I didn't realize so many of us have seen it! I've talked to a lot of people about this movie and no one had even heard about it!

Neaners said...

I really enjoyed this movie. Helen Mirren is such a talented actress! She captured the Queen in such "brilliant" way. I am grateful for movies portraying real people and events.

Amy said...

I like movies about real people & events too. Sounds like you're feeling better, Jeanine. I'm sure it's a slow recovery. Hope traveling is not going to be too hard on you. It can be taxing even if you feel good. Good luck and keep us posted.