i like motion pictures

this multiple-award-winning film chronicles private events involving the heavyweights of the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair that took place alongside the week when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. not known to the public eye, a tussle was happening behind the scenes with regards to how Diana's death should be managed, made complicated by her estrangement from the monarchy and the infancy of Blair's reign. by not being part of national mourning, the monarch's reputation was falling by the day, and Elizabeth II was forced to act.

A LIFE OF TRADITION DEFINES HER
THE EYES OF A NATION ARE UPON HER
THE COURAGE TO CHANGE WILL SAVE HER

The Queen is a perfect example of a commercial and critical success, earning an unbelievable 96% on RottenTomatoes, and a full score from reviewer Roger Ebert.

critics may say Helen Mirren turned in an Oscar-worthy performance as Elizabeth II, but for me, the show-stealer was Michael Sheen as the then-PM. im not exactly sure if Blair the man is really so honourable as portrayed, especially standing out like a beacon amidst a harsh British world, but fictional or not, the performance was excellent and the character's insight was admirable.

my two favourite scenes~

Janvrin secretly relating the Queen's perspective to Blair, in the process painting her as more human, and setting the grounds for Blair to believe she is not to be blamed.

Janvrin: I understand how difficult her behaviour must seem to you... how unhelpful. But try and see it from her perspective. She's been brought up to believe it's God's will she is who she is.
Blair: I think we should leave God out of it. It's just not helpful.
Janvrin: She just won't have seen anything like this since the abdication. And I cannot emphasise enough what effect that had on her. Unexpectedly becoming King as good as killed her father. I'm afraid she's in a state of shock. This public reaction has completely thrown her.

when the following scene took place during the film, i choked back tears, moved by Blair's wisdom and honour, all of which happened in extreme solitude for him.

Alastair: They sent a copy of the Queen's speech. I phoned them with a couple of suggestions, to make it sound like it came from a human being.
Blair (irritated): Yeah, all right, Alastair.
Alastair (cynically): Well, at least the old bat's finally agreed to visit Diana's coffin.
Blair (lets rip): You know, when you get it wrong, you really get it wrong! That woman has given her whole life in service to her people. Fifty years doing a job she never wanted! A job she watched kill her father. She's executed it with honor, dignity, and, as far as I can tell, without a single blemish, and now we're all baying for her blood! All because she's struggling to lead the world in mourning for someone who... who threw everything she offered back in her face. And who, for the last few years, seemed committed 24/7 to destroying everything she holds most dear!