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The Queen

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The Queen (2006)

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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.

Rated: 12A

Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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 youthful, optimistic Tony Blair (Michael Sheen). In Buckingham Palace, the Queen doesn't appear to be fazed by Blair's arrival. Then again, she doesn't appear to be fazed by anything. But when Diana--her son's ex-wife and the mother of her grandchildren--is killed in a tragic car accident, her authority is tested as never before. While the Queen Mother (Sylvia Syms) and Prince Philip (James Cromwell) agree with her decision to remain at their holiday estate in Balmoral and not publicly acknowledge the tragedy, Tony Blair feels differently. Unfortunately, so do the English people. Making matters worse is the out-of-control media, which has begun to castigate the queen for her silence. In order to retain her grip on the country that she has served for so many years, she must swallow her pride and let the world know that she does, in fact, care. With THE QUEEN, the consistently superior Frears (DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, DANGEROUS LIAISONS) strikes once again. Peter Morgan's devilishly clever script provides the foundation, but the expert performances are what make the film such an exhilarating ride. What begins as a humorous critique of the stuffy royal family becomes an unexpectedly sympathetic portrait of a woman who carries the weight of a nation on her shoulders. This film was chosen to be the opening night selection of the 44th New York Film Festival organized by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. [More]

Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms

Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Roger Allam, Helen McCrory

Director: Stephen Frears

Director: Stephen Frears
Screenwriter: Peter Morgan
Producer: Andy Harries, Tracey Seaward, Christine Langan
Composer: Alexandre Desplat
Studio: Miramax Films

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Reviews for The Queen

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141 - 160 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Mirren and Sheen present gracious, humane portraits of two people whose conviction over their place in the world is shaken by unprecedented circumstance.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
10/05/06
David Germain
David Germain
Associated Press

Mirren is the one to beat for the Best Actress Oscar -- and The Queen is one of the year's best movies. Don't miss it.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
10/05/06
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post

Eventually, the movie, as with other similarly humane and perceptive comedies, allows its audience to see that not only does everyone have his or her reasons for behaving as they do, those reasons may be far less easy to dismiss as one supposes.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
10/05/06
Gene Seymour
Gene Seymour
Newsday

The Queen is an interesting character study. There's not much plot to speak of, but it gives actors (including a splendid Helen Mirren) an opportunity to shine.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment 2 Comments
10/05/06
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Marvelously smart, funny and entertaining.

Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal | comment Comment
10/05/06
Joe Morgenstern
Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal

A crackling dramatic story that's intelligent, thoughtful and moving.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
10/05/06
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Politically shrewd, unexpectedly funny yet immaculately tasteful.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
10/05/06
Scott Foundas
Scott Foundas
L.A. Weekly

[A] deliciously sharp but strangely poignant comedy of political manners...at once wry and touching.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
10/05/06
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

A small gem of a motion picture that leaves a powerful aftereffect.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
10/05/06
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

When I think what sentimental tripe The Queen could have been in the hands of amateurs, I bow in gratitude to all concerned.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
10/04/06
Rex Reed
Rex Reed
New York Observer

It’s beautifully written and the acting is just pinpoint perfect.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
10/02/06
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper

How could Frears and his cast rise above the sins of the miniseries? One answer is the force of that cast.

Full Review Source: New Yorker | comment Comment
10/02/06
Anthony Lane
Anthony Lane
New Yorker

Her majesty is in good company.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
10/01/06
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

A film that takes you behind the most famous closed doors in the world for a wickedly funny, fascinating and ultimately moving story of our times.

Full Review Source: Maxim | comment Comment
10/01/06
Pete Hammond
Pete Hammond
Maxim

Helen Mirren's commanding performance as Elizabeth II is richly rewarding, allowing a multitude of angles for both ridicule and empathy.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
09/30/06
Jurgen Fauth
Jurgen Fauth
About.com

...one of the most unique and startling looks at a monarchy and its government on the threshold of crisis.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
09/30/06
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

As an insightful, unique take on what makes us human ... it's simply marvelous. Or, shall I say, majestic.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
09/29/06
Jeffrey Chen
Jeffrey Chen
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

A People exposé as edited by The Economist, divulging almost everything you want to know about this real-life palace Dallas.

Full Review Source: Film-Forward.com | comment Comment
09/29/06
Kent Turner
Kent Turner
Film-Forward.com

Bitingly funny... A surprisingly compassionate portrait of a rigid pragmatist in denial over the monarchy's out-of-touch dysfunction... Helen Mirren should start prepping her Academy Award speech now.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
09/29/06
Aaron Hillis
Aaron Hillis
Premiere Magazine

The Queen tears off the royal robe and suggests that, despite what Johnny Rotten said, she is a human being.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
09/29/06
Stephanie Zacharek
Stephanie Zacharek
Salon.com
 
 
141 - 160 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
all

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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