Post-mortem, Princess Diana influenced as many people as she did during her time on Earth, if not more. Diana was viewed as the “People’s Princess,” and loved by all. There was an air about her; she was beautiful, and she was independent. Yet because of her independence and her constant media attention, the Royal Family frowned upon Di. In their words, her death only made her “more annoying.” The Queen focuses on the loss of Princess Di and the tremendous impact that her death had on the British nation, the Royal Family, and – most importantly – the Queen.
Behind the scenes, HM Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) is unfazed by the death of Di. She remains stoic, formal, and oblivious to the public opinion. Enter newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen). Blair begins to work in tandem with the Queen in an attempt to give the British populace what they want — public mourning. Blair warns of the situation's potential to destroy the monarchy, and Elizabeth II faces the stirring of a sudden dichotomy between the public and the Family. After all, as William Shakespeare said, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
The key theme of The Queen is modernity. Never before has one word (modern), and all its forms, been so blatantly stressed. However, it is rightfully so. Without the eventual outcome, this fragment in time may very well have been the demise of the English reign. The growth and liberation of the empire was essential to its reformation and continuation.
The key boon of the film is the acting. Without Helen Mirren in the title role, The Queen would not be as alluring. Subtract Michael Sheen from the picture, and The Queen surely would not be the same. Both actors are instrumental to the film’s success.
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