All hail Helen Mirren! She just won the Golden Globe for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth on the small screen in HBO's "Elizabeth I." I bet she'll take home another for her portrayal of the current Queen Elizabeth on the big screen in "The Queen." She is masterful.
I liked "The Queen" very much. It's understated and restrained, as is its title character. I don't think many Americans have a clue as to the what the real Queen may be like. I'd like to hear from our friends across the pond and see if they, perhaps, know their Queen.
"The Queen" gives us a glimpse into the woman behind the woman on the throne. The film is rich and subtle and oddly moving. The Queen seems to be a woman better able to relate to her animals than to her subjects, and in so doing she becomes more understandable for having that all too human flaw.
The film takes us to the days following the death of Princess Diana. I remember being wrapped up in the worldwide televised drama of the accident, her death, her funeral, and the question of the week....where was the Queen? Looking back, I find it hard to recreate for myself the depth of feeling I had for Diana at that time. I was not someone who was ga-ga for Diana prior to her death, but for that week, somehow her death was transforming, for the planet and, apparently, for the Monarchy.
Many of you won't be interested in seeing "The Queen." But for those of you who have a mind to see it, I can pretty much guarantee you'll enjoy it.
P.S. I called it. Helen Mirren did win her second golden globe of the night for her exceptional work in "The Queen."
This post was last modified: 01-16-2007, 12:51 AM by Maggers.
Reading is freedom.
The mind soars, no earthly cares,
no limitations.
A Maggers Haiku, 2005
Years ago my mother used to say to me... "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd