Spencer (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Spencer' (directed by Pablo Larrain, of Jackie) is a hypnotic drama based on the imagined events of Princess Diana's last Christmas with the British royal family in 1991. As Diana (Kristen Stewart) deals with the increasingly intrusive British press & strict royal protocols, this film explores the breakdown of her fragile mental health & marriage to Prince Charles (Jack Farthing). At the film's start, she is purposely late to Queen Elizabeth II's (Stella Gonet) Sandringham country estate for the usual Christmas celebration, something not lost on Major Alistair Gregory (Timothy Spall) who has been called-in to watch over her & keep the weekend according to plan. Diana is, of course, happy to be near her boys, William & Harry (Jack Nielen, Freddie Spry).
And she is also content to have her royal dresser/confidante, Maggie (Sally Hawkins) on hand; Maggie is aware of Diana's stifling predicament & state of mind. Matters don't improve when Diana reads a book in her room about Anne Boleyn and, it's not long before she starts having odd visions & dreams of interactions with Boleyn (Amy Manson), who also fell out of favor with her husband & faced dire consequences. Over 3 days of hiding from the royals, becoming more rebellious, lamenting her clothes selections {chosen by others}, & throwing up delectable food {she was bulimic} ... Diana's near-suicidal emotional breakdown takes full flight. But despite her troubles, Diana is shown to be a fiercely loving mother who finally breaks free from the royals.
'Spencer' is an odd duck of a movie. But that shouldn't be a surprise, as Pablo Larrain's Jackie was similarly off-kilter; providing an almost horror story edge about a real life subject. Like 2016's Jackie - whereas that that film focused on the sudden end of a marriage {JFK's death} & dealing with the shock/grief as a wife, mother, & public figure - 'Spencer' also includes a woman having to face infidelities + the enormous public persona pressure of being the perfect wife. When I mention 'horror story' above, I mean that what transpires in Diana's head & heart is quite troubling; and only enhanced by Johnny Greenwood's music, whose otherwise elegant compositions are punctuated by discordant notes to suggest Diana's inner turmoil.
This movie is bleak & dire, yet ultimately - and thankfully! - uplifting. I credit Kristen Stewart for ably navigating the flittering emotions of Diana from scene to scene; aloof, neurotic, somber, playful, etc. Not unlike Emma Corrin in The Crown, Stewart captures Diana's stature, mannerisms & soft-spoken voice quite adeptly. A superstar from the Twilight days, Stewart herself has been on the receiving end of paparazzi/press intrusion and, she definitely draws upon that for her portrayal, here. I also enjoyed Sally Hawkins brief, but notable performance as Maggie; a late scene btwn. her & Stewart in a field brings some much-needed gaiety.
Mainstream audiences may not jive with 'Spencer', as this is the type of film most would consider pretentious or artsy. I personally am not as enamored by it as much as I was with Larrain's Jackie, but there is also no denying the film's strong individual components, i.e. the aforementioned acting, music, the painterly cinematography, & Jacqueline Durran's stunning outfits. As Diana reclaims her freedom when racing down the road with her boys {joyfully singing to "All I Need is a Miracle" on the car radio}, I felt relief for her, even when knowing what would ultimately come for her 6 years later. 'Spencer' starts languidly, ventures into an odd realm {script-wise}, but is ultimately a bewitching portrait of one of the world's most recognized women.
And she is also content to have her royal dresser/confidante, Maggie (Sally Hawkins) on hand; Maggie is aware of Diana's stifling predicament & state of mind. Matters don't improve when Diana reads a book in her room about Anne Boleyn and, it's not long before she starts having odd visions & dreams of interactions with Boleyn (Amy Manson), who also fell out of favor with her husband & faced dire consequences. Over 3 days of hiding from the royals, becoming more rebellious, lamenting her clothes selections {chosen by others}, & throwing up delectable food {she was bulimic} ... Diana's near-suicidal emotional breakdown takes full flight. But despite her troubles, Diana is shown to be a fiercely loving mother who finally breaks free from the royals.
'Spencer' is an odd duck of a movie. But that shouldn't be a surprise, as Pablo Larrain's Jackie was similarly off-kilter; providing an almost horror story edge about a real life subject. Like 2016's Jackie - whereas that that film focused on the sudden end of a marriage {JFK's death} & dealing with the shock/grief as a wife, mother, & public figure - 'Spencer' also includes a woman having to face infidelities + the enormous public persona pressure of being the perfect wife. When I mention 'horror story' above, I mean that what transpires in Diana's head & heart is quite troubling; and only enhanced by Johnny Greenwood's music, whose otherwise elegant compositions are punctuated by discordant notes to suggest Diana's inner turmoil.
This movie is bleak & dire, yet ultimately - and thankfully! - uplifting. I credit Kristen Stewart for ably navigating the flittering emotions of Diana from scene to scene; aloof, neurotic, somber, playful, etc. Not unlike Emma Corrin in The Crown, Stewart captures Diana's stature, mannerisms & soft-spoken voice quite adeptly. A superstar from the Twilight days, Stewart herself has been on the receiving end of paparazzi/press intrusion and, she definitely draws upon that for her portrayal, here. I also enjoyed Sally Hawkins brief, but notable performance as Maggie; a late scene btwn. her & Stewart in a field brings some much-needed gaiety.
Mainstream audiences may not jive with 'Spencer', as this is the type of film most would consider pretentious or artsy. I personally am not as enamored by it as much as I was with Larrain's Jackie, but there is also no denying the film's strong individual components, i.e. the aforementioned acting, music, the painterly cinematography, & Jacqueline Durran's stunning outfits. As Diana reclaims her freedom when racing down the road with her boys {joyfully singing to "All I Need is a Miracle" on the car radio}, I felt relief for her, even when knowing what would ultimately come for her 6 years later. 'Spencer' starts languidly, ventures into an odd realm {script-wise}, but is ultimately a bewitching portrait of one of the world's most recognized women.