Hey El Capitan... Whazaaaaap!

I know what you're thinking, and yes... you're right. I was dragged kicking and screaming to this thing. The last thing I wanted to do was watch a movie about the Queen of England.

Yet, I was totally wrong about it. It was a pretty good movie.

If you have any interest in the Princess Diana/Royal Family debacle, this paints a very good portrait as to how things really where between both sides. It's a movie about changing beliefs and perceptions.

It focuses on Tony Blair's early days as Prime Minister, and how his previous negative perception of the Monarchy was the foundation for his interaction with the Queen. That negative perception was held by most British citizens as well, especially due to their treatment of Princess Diana. The Queen and her family were very hateful towards Diana, and in the days following her death that bad blood(and their ignorance of how important Diana was to the people) almost ruined the Monarchy.

Helen Mirren, the woman who played Queen Elizabeth, was insanely perfect. She nailed everything, and looked like her twin (although in real life she's much younger and more blonde). Her anger, fear, and internal struggle came through to the audience even when she wasn't speaking. In the beginning you see her as a royal douche bag, but by the end you're ready to bow before her.

You couldn't help but admire the Tony Blair character for changing his mind on many things, showing just how much the Blair government matured during the week after Diana's death. He transformed from a far-left idealist to a mature, intelligent leader, and helped to bring all sides together.

Prince Charles... still a weasel.

On my 'Movies are like Alcohol' rating scale, watching The Queen is like drinking a 100 year old malt Scotch Whisky. Crisp, dry, painful at first, but by the end it's as smooth as silk and the world is a better place when you're walking home.

Good flick.