The Queen, the latest movie from director Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liasons, High Fidelity, Mrs. Henderson Presents) plays out a bit like a British Forrest Gump. The main difference is that Forrest Gump himself (along with Jenn-nay, Bubba, and Lieutenant Dan, of course) was a fictional character, whereas all of the characters in The Queen are real people.
Not only are they real people, but all but one of them are still alive (to my knowledge), with Diana Spencer, the former Princess of Wales, being the key "one" that is not. As it turns out, Lady Diana is the central character of the film, with the plot focusing on the relationship between greater England (headed by Tony Blair) and the Royal Family (headed by the Queen, naturally) during the days immediately following her death.
Though there are some issues with the "characters" (Blair, played by Michael Sheen, is presented as a bit too much of an "everyman" for a Prime Minister, for example), the presentation is crisp and almost documentary-like. All actors involved give a yeoman's effort, playing such well-known public figures in events that took place just nine years ago. It's one thing for Forrest Gump to bump up alongside stock footage of JFK or Richard Nixon - it's quite another for Helen Mirren, a Brit (as are all major cast members, save for James Cromwell), to play her Queen, who happens to still be alive. Daunting stuff. As is Mirren's performance, where she gives what is guaranteed to be an Oscar-nominated performance (and likely winning, I might add).
At the end of the day, Diana manages (yet again) to outshine everyone. The filmmakers handle the footage (real or otherwise) of her death with class, and she commands the screen whenever on it, which is often. And to think, she didn't even have to audition.
85 out of 100
