Oscar winner!

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE - Helen Mirren

I feel Oscar performance for Helen Mirren on her portrayal of the Queen as Princess Diana's distant mother-in-law. Following Diana's shocking death on August 30, 1997, the Queen seemed strikingly out of touch with her people and prime minister, Tony Blair. She retreated to Balmoral, Scotland, unwilling to shed a public tear over the death of her former daugher-in-law. Mirren herself has asked that question: 'Does it hurt her to show a little emotion? Isn't that what she's there for?'

The movie is a very good and intimate reflection of the battle between private and public, responsibility and emotion, rituals and action as a grieving nation waits to see what its leaders will do. Absolutely recommend!!