Radio_Lady and Friends: Review of "The Queen" with Helen Mirren

[Radio_Lady]

Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II

I missed the preview of this movie due to our trip to Florida. But Eric D. Snider, one of our best critics, has reviewed it and I trust his judgement. I'm taking the liberty of posting his review here.

If you've seen the movie already (I haven't...), please post your opinion. Thanks so much.

Radio_Lady in Oregon

* * * * * * * *


"THE QUEEN" (limited release)

(1 hr., 37 min.; rated PG-13 for one F-word)

Grade: A

"The Queen," a completely absorbing and meticulously well-acted drama, recounts a perilous week in Queen Elizabeth II's reign: the seven days after Princess Diana's death, when the public wanted the queen to weep and mourn with them and the queen wanted to remain stoic, as she always had done. Old-fashioned stiff-upper-lippedness and modern touchy-feeliness butted heads, and for a while public opinion was decidedly against Elizabeth's old ways. Helen Mirren plays the queen so vividly and completely as to be a virtual master class in Acting Without Overacting. As she interacts with newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) -- a modernist who fancies the monarchy rather old-fashioned but who likes Elizabeth herself -- she comes to see that adjustments must be made, but at what cost to the dignity of the monarchy? That Mirren is able to convey so much emotion in the role of someone who doesn't show much emotion is, of course, miraculous. By definition, there is no big, melodramatic clip to show at the Oscars, because every second of Mirren's performance is specifically non-showy, non-flashy and non-sentimental. But it's there. You could pick it apart to find the exact things she does to convey the character, but it's more satisfying to simply look at the whole: When the film is over, you feel like you know everything about her.

ERIC'S COMPLETE REVIEW:

http://www.ericdsnider.com/movies/the-queen

Be sure to check out ERIC'S BLOG every Friday for additional tidbits, anecdotes
and gossip about the week's new movies! The aforesaid blog can be found at this
Internet location: http://www.ericdsnider.com/blog .

[alarimer]

1. She also played Elizabeth I

In an HBO movie. I thought that was an interesting fact.

[Radio_Lady]

2. Yes, she did, and she won the Emmy for her performance.

We saw that HBO program and thought it was simply fantastic.

[Montauk6]

11. Another interesting fact

Her real name's Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov; her grandpa was an aristocrat visiting London when the Revolution broke out in '17 and, being a tsarist who valued his life, stayed in the UK soon to be joined by his son, Ilyena's papa.

[lildreamer316]

13. Was going to point that out too.

Just finished re-watching that on HBO the other night. Loved it.
She's wonderful.
Although, just for shits and giggles, I wish she'd do a part in Harry Potter....

[Twillig]

14. She'd have been a helluva Bellatrix Lestrange

if Potter had come along earlier, but then she had done Excalibur back in the day anyway.

[Suich]

3. Haven't seen it yet but definitely plan to.

Helen Mirren is one of my favorites. Her resemblance to Elizabeth II is eerie!

[Radio_Lady]

4. Yes, the resemblance is more than striking. I read a wonderful article

about her in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper last Sunday. I can't wait to see the movie, but there are so many previews this month and next -- that we'll have to squeeze in some time.

Thanks for posting, Suich.

Good night and good luck.

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. I really liked it

and it was a surprisingly funny and poignant movie. It wouldn't have been something that I would have picked to see myself but a few friends were going and I tagged along...I wasn't disappointed. Helen Mirren was excellent

[Radio_Lady]

6. Thanks, Reverend Smitty. The reviews seem to be pretty positive.

Thanks for the post.

[Radio_Lady]

7. Here's the article on Helen Mirren I mentioned above:

Don't know how long this link will be active, but it's working right now:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-mirren...

PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES
A time of crowning glories
As she prepares to say goodbye to 'Prime Suspect,' actress Helen Mirren rules the spotlight with her royal portrayal in 'The Queen.'

Hal Boedeker | Sentinel Television Critic
Posted October 22, 2006

PASADENA, Calif. -- -Helen Mirren's love affair with America has entered a torrid patch.

"The thing I absolutely love about America and American people is that they generously embrace things they like," Mirren says.

The British actress is feeling the clinch frequently these days. In August, Mirren won an Emmy for her robust turn as Elizabeth I in an HBO miniseries. In September, she opened the New York Film Festival with her uncanny performance as Elizabeth II in The Queen. In November, Mirren says farewell to Prime Suspect, the PBS series that bolstered her profile in this country.

Long ago, Mirren embraced this nation. She married Taylor Hackford, an American who directed her in 1985's White Nights. Although based in London, she has homes in Los Angeles and New York.

On screen, she can seem monumental in her regal roles. In person, she stands just 5-foot-4 and exhibits a low-key, down-to-earth style. She is no diva. Publicists describe her as the consummate professional: easygoing, punctual, hardworking and fun. Mirren looks elegant in a bright, summery dress.

At 61, she has aged gracefully -- Tinseltown hasn't smoothed out her becoming, mature edges. This is the prime of Dame Helen Mirren.

In show business, she could be the woman of the year.

(FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE, PLEASE TRY THE LINK ABOVE.)

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

8. I saw it today (Saturday)

It was one of the best flicks I've seen this year, and Mirren's performance is perfect.

See it. You'll really like it.

[Radio_Lady]

9. Thanks for the recommendation, PCUFB! ... and welcome to the DU!

At least, I don't think we've met! Great screen name, by the way. Maybe you'll want to change it in 2008!

[GalleryGod]

10. I Recommend it highly

Saw it back on October 15th...Helen was magnificent as was Michael Sheen as Tony Blair.

[Darth_Kitten]

12. How do we know it's an ACCURATE potrayal though?

((((throwing a wrench into the works and running))))

We can THINK she's playing the "Queen", but maybe she's just playing a stuffy old lady?


evil.....

[Radio_Lady]

15. Good point, but unless we get the opinions of the people who really

know her, there's no way to tell. Mirren says she did meet the Queen once, but it was only briefly.

I haven't had the time to research reactions to this film from the United Kingdom. But of course, people have been saying things about the House of Windsor since I was a little girl (and probably before). They have had their share of scandals and losses, just like regular folks.

There was one TV documentary that followed Elizabeth and Philip on to their yacht and sort of trekked after them for several days, as if it were a reality show. I found it quite interesting and charming -- probably saw it on PBS, but perhaps a show which was originally produced by the BBC.

In peace,

Radio_Lady