Spencer

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source: Spencer

"Excuse me," she says to no one in particular. "I'm looking for somewhere. I have absolutely no idea where I am." Princess Diana (Kristen Stewart) In the opening sequence of Spencer, Diana is driving herself to the royal estate for a weekend with the relatives. Although she grew up in these parts, she is lost. The figurative aspect of that "lost" is apparent, for the fictional weekend serves well to get us closer to the princess known to the world but not to herself. Kristen Stewart is Diana and probably her star self, both uncertain how to handle celebrity and in Diana's case, needing true love. She will not get that from Prince Charles, who lectures her on the two personas the job demands, as if splitting himself into two is easy for him. Timothy Spall plays Major Alistar Gregory, whose job is to keep the photographers and other aliens from the compound and to direct Diana in the ways of tradition. It's that tradition that chokes Diana, literally, as she forces vomiting and generally has an unsuccessful relationship with the food that punctuates the royals' days. Spall is incomparable as the uptight guardian of the household, barely revealing deeper, softer attitude toward tradition. Director Pablo Larrain (he did similar magic with Jackie and coaxed Natalie Portman to an Oscar nomination) combines the wide perspective shots of the estate with crowding closeups of Diana to show consistently her crushing alienation from the demands of the estate in particular and British tradition in general. Most rewarding on a dramatic level is the relationship between Diana and her attendant Maggie (Sally Hawkins). Not only do they have a sincere affection for each other, but they also have the best two-hander scene to give the film a much-needed shock. It's a scene to remember. I would have liked more dialogue to complement the many solitary closeup scenes, but the filmmakers have done their job well. As unstable as Diana may have been, I'd love to have her back.

I've been putting off watching this as I honestly thought Kristen Stewart would be terrible. I love it when I'm proved wrong. You need to go into this movie with no expectations. It's not your usual Diana history piece, but I personally believe it's the best. Kristen captures Diana exceptionally well & showed us the inner torment she lived with everyday. It's a film about coping with mental health & the effect it has on everyone around you. Hats off to cast & crew. It was amazing.

Did I watch the same film as the high reviews? How, why, what was the point. At least The Crown had a balanced view of Diana. Don't waste any money or time on this.

This has to be one of the worst stories about Diana. Apart from the music which is annoying and weird, there are so many gaffs it is unbelievable! I found Kirsten Stewart infuriating! Give this one a miss.

When I first heard that Kristen Stewart was cast as Princess Diana, I was sceptical I must admit.. The American does a great job though in picturing one of the most loved British people of all time. I dont want to spoil anything, I just say that sure...we all knew the gossip, the conspiracies, the theories about Diana and her death, but still, almost 25 years later, this movie still brings aspects to the story, that are fresh, new and provocative. It was a bit more psychedelic than expected and I enjoyed that movie much more than I thought I would and it surely will not be liked by the royals, especially Prince Charles, he wont be amused with his depiction!

I'm a big fan of Kristen Stewart's acting ability and I was hoping for a character-driven movie that would showcase her talents. Sadly, this is an overblown melodrama in which almost nothing of any great consequence happens. The Royal Family are reduced to cardboard cutouts sitting meekly at the dining table, terrified into silence by the mere presence of their malevolent matriarch. I've never seen a more unflattering portrayal of the Queen. Charles is a weak-willed bully. Diana is a caricature; every simpering head tilt and demurely downcast expression hammered into place with the same lack of subtlety with which the intrusive score demands you empathise with every emotional beat. Timothy Spall and Sally Hawkins are always watchable, but I was glad when this was over.

There are two movies out this year, both biographical, and both vying to be bottom of the pits. One is Tesla, the other, this one. Whoever put this contrived, diabolical concotion together, should be put in front of a firing squad. Those who think this is the greatest story ever told, should get life in prison. I could write a thesis on what was so wrong with this movie however, I've better things to do. Thankfully I could tune out while my mother watched, I watched a rugby match on my laptop instead. More genuine, and more real.