Film Review: Spencer

 I think it is only fair to begin by stating, quite categorically, that I have been an avid admirer of Kristen Stewart's work since I was sixteen. The first film I saw her in was Speak. It was already different from all the other high school themed films at the time (and since, if I'm being honest) as it was not about a nerdy kid who took off her glasses and went to the prom and fell in love with the most popular guy at the school. It was about a girl on the outside, with a hidden trauma and struggling to just survive what a nightmare high school is. For me, I both empathised with the character and was singularly impressed by Ms Stewart's performance.

Seventeen years later, I am still impressed and I'm still an admirer of Ms Stewart's growing body of work, both independent and big studio productions. 

Especially and including this most recent addition to the list, where Ms Stewart completely disappears from the screen for nearly two hours and we are presented with Diana Spencer, a young girl who was swept up into a fairy tale but like a butterfly, struggling to survive behind the glass. In this film, we are given a peak behind the curtains for three days, during the family Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk. 

She has her two sons, her friend the dresser but for the most part, she is on her own and we, as the audience, witness her pain and frustration emerge when she is alone, or manages to escape the ordered and military like precision to the festivities. It comes out in spurts and moments, where so much must remain unsaid and unacknowledged, where everything she does is reported and noted on by everyone.

Steven Knight's perfect script and the music, along with the impressive cinematography, really does hammer hone the fact of how removed she feels from the whole spectacle and gives us a new perspective on the Princess of Wales.

As the film states at the beginning, 'a fable of a true tragedy' and that is what is presented here. It does what it says on the tin and while I know this is a sad tale of loneliness, I am glad that there are some moments of levity.

And if there is any justice in the world of awards, Ms Stewart will be duly recognised with at least a few to rightfully honour her beautiful performance here.

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