Starring: Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielen, Freddy Spry, Jack Farthing, Sean Harris, Stella Gonet, Richard Sammel, Elizabeth Berrington, Amy Manson, Sally Hawkins
Distributor: Roadshow Films
Runtime: 117 mins. Reviewed in Feb 2022
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
| 
| 
Spencer is the family name of Diana, Princess of Wales. Over three days at Christmas 1991, Diana is troubled with her marriage, her physical and mental health, and the strictures of protocol and tradition as the family assemble at Sandringham Palace.
SPENCER, UK/US/Germany/Chile, 2021. Starring Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielen, Freddy Spry, Jack Farthing, Sean Harris, Stella Gonet, Richard Sammel, Elizabeth Berrington, Amy Manson, Sally Hawkins. Directed by Pablo Larrain. 117 minutes. Rated M (Mature themes and coarse language).
Diana, a film about Diana, Princess of Wales starring Naomi Watts (2013) received mixed reviews and responses. Perhaps to avoid an initial focus on Diana, Chilean writer-director Pablo Larrain emphasises Diana’s family background, the Spencers, and her memories of growing up near Sandringham Palace.
Larrain, who has had some striking films in Chile and directed the portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Jackie (2016, with Natalie Portman), introduces his film by saying that it is a fable based on a true tragedy. This allows him to speculate, create sequences with references to sources, reportage, public information, as well as his own interpretations. And the action is confined to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 1991, as the Windsors celebrate Christmas at Sandringham.
Before the film was released there was much discussion on the appropriateness of American Stewart portraying Diana. Judging on her performance – intense and incorporating Diana’s mannerisms and style – this is a striking performance, enabling audiences to forget the actress and focus on the character.
At the film’s opening, she is driving to Sandringham, but is lost. And lost is a key element in this portrait. She has become lost in the Royal household, some quiet disapproval from the Queen as well as the security chief and members of the staff. She has lost her husband to his mistress, referred to in the film twice as ‘her’ (and she is glimpsed looking at Diana at the Christmas Day service) and, to Diana’s hurt and disgust, Charles has given them both the same Christmas gift, a large string of pearls.
And Diana is lost in herself, bulimia, suicidal thoughts, dramatised in a night excursion across the fields to her now dilapidated and decaying family home, bringing up happier memories, and reminding audiences that she was married at 19, a young and somewhat inexperienced girl, and now, at this Christmas family gathering, she is approaching 30.
This film is not going to encourage sympathy for the Royal family, their aloof manner, the centuries-long protocols, everything in order and on time, stylised celebrations, the most elaborate of meals from what seems a highly over-staffed kitchen employees/servants, all fastidiously served with pomp. The film reminds us that free time for the Royals is extremely limited, everything kept under security, controlled by the servants – even to the rack of clothes for Diana, each labelled for the various occasions during the day, wearing them like a Royal command.
However, there are some moments of joy, Diana and her relationship with William and Harry, playing with them, but also William’s concern about his mother’s state. There is a highly dramatic moment when she crashes the pheasant hunt where Charles has decided that William has to learn to shoot. She holds up the proceedings, demanding her children. (And, in a final moment of freedom, they are seen enjoying KFC on a seat by the Thames.)
Spall is strong as the head of security, some intense interactions with Diana; and the question as to whether he left the biography Anne Boleyn for her to read which leads to some strong fantasy sequences – Diana imagining Anne Boleyn who rescues her from some despair. There is also Hawkins as the dresser, Maggie, completely devoted to Diana to the point of rescue and refuge.
Everybody knows how Diana’s story ended so there is an element of pathos throughout the film. For those who do not know Diana or did not respond to her, this film portrait can serve as something of a revelation. For those who knew, admired and love Diana, much to appreciate, and sadness and regret.
Roadshow
12 Random Films…
