Helen Mirren gives us more than a glimpse into the hermetic heart of a living queen. It is however Helen Mirren, in a performance that could only be described as miraculous, that takes us body and soul through the painful ordeal of those seven days surrounding the death of Princess Diana, the "people's princess" a natural master in a world of tabloids and self humiliation disguised as humbleness. Sylvia Syms! Queen Mom, a wonderful old battleship who's seen it all and fought her entire life for things to change so they could stay the same. I had to adjust to the fact that the Queen Mother was played by Sylvia Syms. Just look at her walking backwards trying to to be true to royal protocol. Helen McCrory as Mrs Blair is another standout. Michael Sheen is a adorable, yes I think adorable is the right word, as Tony Blair, the labor link between the people and the monarchy. It is really a story about public dignitaries trying to do the right thing for their country and their families.FYI There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where you can find a listing of past Crystal Heart Award winners as well as other Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video. Even though you know what will happen, you are intrigued by how the characters get to their ultimate positions.In the end, Queen Elizabeth II and Tony Blair display a profound love for their country. And Tony Blair, played convincingly by Michael Sheen, trumps the royalty by being real and wise and likable.The storytelling is compelling. Queen Elizabeth II, played brilliantly by Helen Mirren, comes off as reserved and complicated. Prince Philip comes off as insensitive and a bearer of grudges. But the many behind-the-scenes conversations had to be invented or recalled, so it has to be part fiction and part fact.The monarchy is not treated kindly in this film. Many facts are certain because you see historical footage of the bunches of cut flowers growing in front of Buckingham Palace and the then President Clinton making a statement and many clips of Princess Diane throughout her life. In steps the new young Prime Minister, Tony Blair, influences Queen Elizabeth II to mourn in public and bring a humanity to the English monarchy.The real story is the journey of Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II to get to this final destination.It is hard to separate what is fact and what is made-up in this film. But, they were coming off as cold and standoffish to the English people and they were causing the monarchy system to become unpopular and even despised. They alternately said it was a private affair or Princess Diana was no longer royalty since the divorce or we are protecting Princess Diana's two sons or let us grieve alone. It was as if Princess Diana was an assassinated world political or spiritual leader.The royal family did not initially react to her death in a human or sensitive way. Great Britain and the world mourned her loss in a surprisingly large way. I can't wait to meet her again.Prince Charles. I was as besotted with Helen's Queen as her Labor Prime Minister was. A performance that is as poignant as it is entertaining. Not a single false note, not a single cheap shot. How did it really feel like? We all want to know, we all want to see the sorrow, the confession or the denial on the catch of the day's face. Talk Show audiences wouldn't know the difference and we are all, one way or another, talk show audiences. Humbleness or humiliation? Asks Queen Elizabeth to her Prime Minister. A tradition that's lasted over a thousand years shaken by a world who demands public spectacle. A deep human drama with a tabloid sensibility. Let's start by saying that the film itself is a perfect reflection of the days we live in. Reviewed by marcosaguado 9 / 10 Helen The Great
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