We see not only the inner corridors of power, but also sense the inner workings of the royal mind. Stephen Frears' deft direction also gives the film insight and even humor.
Comment
10/27/06
The Queen (2006)
97
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:177
Fresh:171
Rotten:6
Average Rating:8.4/10
Consensus: Full of wit, humor, and pathos, Stephen Frears’ moving portrait of the British royals during the period after Princess Diana's death features not one but two remarkable performances, that of Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II and Michael Sheen as the newly-ordained Prime Minister Tony Blair. They embody their characters and lay bare the motivations behind these prominent people, giving viewers a glimpse into the inner workings of the British monarchy.
Theatrical Release:15-09-2006
Synopsis: Helen Mirren delivers a royally stirring performance as Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears's fictional romp, THE QUEEN. The year is 1997, and Great Britain has a newly elected prime minister, the... [More]
Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms
Director: Stephen Frears
Reviews for The Queen
I was bored. Still an enigma, Queen Elizabeth had no character "arc."
10/27/06
It's at once a comedy and a human drama with heart. Apt at both making you chuckle and grin, the film remains light.
10/27/06
Frears' masterstroke is making it a thoroughly sympathetic portrait of Elizabeth, Charles and the entire concept of the monarchy.
10/27/06
A completely absorbing and meticulously well-acted drama.
10/26/06
Highly enjoyable.
10/26/06
That's Mirren's magic: She makes us care, no matter how shallow our curtsies.
10/26/06
A fascinating battle between archaic monarchal standards and modernistic tendencies.
10/26/06
Helen Mirren does all she can to ensure she won't be getting invited to Buckingham Palace ever again.
10/26/06
There is genius in the casting of Mirren as Elizabeth II. Like the Queen, she's old-school, and she understands that there is power in purposeful restraint.
10/23/06
Borne with grace and honor on the back of Helen Mirren's astounding title performance, The Queen manages to encompass the personal and political with both depth and grace.
10/20/06
Although Mirren transforms into a living human being as artfully as any actor I have ever seen in Stephen Frears' portrait of a woman and royalty under siege, the movie in which she performs this alchemy is every bit as good as she is.
10/20/06
Frears has given us a front-row seat for a backstage drama; the result is provocatively realistic.
10/20/06
This imperial mix of wit, humor and compassion manages to humanize at once the prickly worlds of royalty, politics and popular culture.
10/20/06
It is Mirren's fine performance that carries this film to the level of art. It takes guts to portray a living figurehead like Queen Elizabeth II, and Mirren captures her essence without ever stooping to caricature.
10/20/06
So magnificent in so many ways that, for the first time, it seems to raise the docudrama to high art.
10/19/06
Smartly relevant and affecting, commenting not only on the isolation of the monarchy but also on a tabloid culture run wild.
10/19/06
...slow and inaccurate...nothing I'd want to sit through if I knew what was in store for me, unless I just wanted to see a good impersonation of Queen Elizabeth and a bad impersonation of the eloquent Tony Blair.
10/18/06
All hail Helen Mirren. As Queen Elizabeth II, Mirren gives a commanding performance that cries out for an Oscar, if not a star-studded crown.
10/18/06
It’s a story that gets more complex the closer you look.
10/18/06
Latest News for The Queen
January 20, 2009:
RT Interview: Michael Sheen on Frost/Nixon
Michael Sheen has made a name for himself playing real-life characters, from Tony Blair in The Deal and The Queen, to Kenneth Williams in Fantabulosa!. This week sees the... More...
October 25, 2007:
Hollywood Braces for Writers' Strike
We're just a few days away from the Writers Guild strike deadline, and things aren't looking good. More...
October 02, 2007:
Peter Morgan Preps Sequel to The Queen
Peter Morgan has taken his "Blair trilogy" from The Deal to The Queen -- and now, Variety reports, he's preparing the third installment. More...
September 11, 2007:
Toronto Film Fest: Ang Lee's Lust, Caution Reviewed
Among the higher profile entries in Toronto, Ang Lee's Lust, Caution had a particular notoriety coming in; not only were fest-watchers waiting to confirm or contradict the early... More...
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