Dryly funny and unexpectedly poignant, Stephen Frears' restrained comedy of manners weaves together decorous gossip and a fascinating look beneath the facade of pomp and ritual to capture Britain's royal family.
Comment
09/29/06
The Queen (2006)
97
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
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
161 - 180 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
All hail, Dame Mirren!
09/29/06
The genius of the movie lies in Mirren's work. She captures the complexities of a woman who's often seen as unknowable. Ultimately, it's a tribute to the regal leader rooted in reverence and empathy.
09/29/06
All this might make for a better book than a movie if it weren't for the subtle brilliance of Mirren's performance.
09/29/06
The perfect combination of historical extrapolation and subversive political commentary ... make[s] you feel as if you're watching real events transpire.
09/29/06
Mirren conjures Elizabeth as an identifiable flesh-and-blood wife, mother, grandmother, and woman with a job to do.
09/29/06
The Queen strikes the perfect balance between pomp and politics, comedy and tragedy.
09/29/06
a class act from beginning to end.
09/28/06
Stephen Frears' sublimely nimble evisceration of the British royal family pries open a window in the House of Windsor around the time of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
09/28/06
Top CriticIt is very rare for a historical drama, especially one made by artists who are not remotely Tory, to express such wide-ranging emotional sympathy for the ruling class.
09/28/06
An audacious cinematic triumph by director Stephen Frears animated by an Academy-award caliber performance by Helen Mirren that humanizes Queen Elizabeth in a time of crisis and change.
09/28/06
A sheer delight to sit through and leaves you with a whole evening's worth of impassioned conversation.
09/28/06
This motion picture gets nearly every dramatic beat right and gives the death of Princess Diana a whole new meaning and emotional dimension.
09/27/06
Mirren gives one of the finest performances of the year.
09/27/06
Mirren's intensely, imposingly regal even when the visually competent, narratively unaffecting The Queen proves only pedestrian.
09/27/06
Whether or not Tony Blair actually saved the British monarchy, Frears has made it seem so and even worth doing.
09/26/06
All hail Helen Mirren, who delivers a master class in acting in The Queen.
09/25/06
The Queen is the most reverent irreverent comedy imaginable. Or maybe it’s the most irreverent reverent comedy. Either way, it’s a small masterpiece.
09/25/06
Tradition and informality collide -- and mutually benefit -- in the deliciously written and expertly played The Queen.
09/16/06
Top CriticSecondary characters are caricatures and there are moments of symbolism that are too heavy-handed, though on the whole The Queen is dignified.
09/04/06
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...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds