What a surprise. Recorded this 2015 film on a whim, thinking it was some sort of Hallmark/Lifetime romantic fluff. SO wrong. "The Crown" meets "Roman Holiday" in this light-hearted tale of a young Elizabeth and Margaret taking to the streets of London during the celebration following the end of WWII. Based on a single rumor that the two young women snuck out for a few hours on VE day this quiet little movie explores some very real issues in a beautiful, subtle way. Director Julian Jarrold allows the camera to linger, repeatedly, on the luminous face of Sarah Gadon, playing Elizabeth. She runs the full gamut of emotions from utter joy at her new-found freedom, to confusion over a world she has never been a part of, to a kind of deep, resigned sadness at the reality that she will never have a "normal" life. It's gorgeous and compelling. The script is gentle. It makes clear how clueless the two women are but doesn't make fun of that fact. It just allows them to find their way as best they can. In one of the many unexpected turns Elizabeth finds her power by the end of the film. She is a depiction of Elizabeth the real royals would approve of. She is smart, determined and confident. Brava. Accurate to the period and very British, only the two actors playing the King and Queen are household names. I can see why it slipped by unnoticed but I'm glad I found it at last.
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