The Queen

Helen Mirren, acting royalty in her own right, earned a well-deserved Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II, the professional monarch struggling to find her place as her people's leader after the death of Princess Diana. It's not merely animosity toward the "people's princess" that she felt betrayed the royal code but also an inability to imagine changing decades of regal behavior and emotionless diplomacy in the face of her people's need for a show of respect. Michael Sheen is the newly elected man-of-the-people Tony Blair, elected on promises of reform and breaking down barriers of privilege yet personally rather awed by Elizabeth. Stephen Frears compassionately explores the awkward relationship between the informal Blair and the proud but dedicated queen as he helps her (despite her chilly reticence) win back the love of her people. James Cromwell co-stars as Prince Philip and Sylvia Syms is the Queen Mother. The wry, somewhat sleepy commentary by Stephen Frears and screenwriter Peter Morgan is very British, right down to the subtlest of protocol "gags" they lament no one ever gets. British historian, royal expert and consultant Robert Lacey provides a kind of lecture in his commentary, which focuses on historical context and a scene-by-scene breakdown of royal protocol and private lives. The 20-minute "The Making of 'The Queen'" follows suit with a quietly modest look at the responsibility to framing and dramatizing recent history. Also available on Blu-Ray disc.