Call me square, but I much prefer Elizabeth Debicki‘s naturalistic performance as Diana, Princess of Wales in the Crown series over Kristen Stewart’s credible, but whispery and slightly self-conscious take, already garnering Oscar talk, in Spencer.
Chilean director Pablo Larraín has made a good looking film that is rather inert for much of its two hour run time. That same phrase, “self-conscious” popped into my head repeatedly, from the opening credits where the title card reads “a fable from a true tragedy,” right down to the dissonant chords that Jonny Greenwood overuses for the score (Greenwood has gone to the well one too many times with this sonic signature, though his work on There Will Be Blood will always be a hugely important part of that film).
This fictionalized story takes place over the 1991 Christmas holidays at Sandringham House. You think holidays at your in laws’ house are awkward? Try being openly disdained by your cheating husband and his Mum and Dad. But unlike the more conventional narrative of The Crown, here Diana is mostly alone with her thoughts, her tragic eating disorder and cutting compulsion and, most of all, her hallucinations of Anne Boleyn, another royal whose time on duty was less than pleasant.
Again, her unhappiness with the Royals and theirs with her are already well known. What is different about this art house version are scenes that take place outside the estate – Diana longs to visit her nearby childhood home, and steals away by night to pay a visit – an interesting angle one had not thought of before. There’s also a bit of a surprise involving her dresser, played by the always brilliant Sally Hawkins, which I will not spoil.
Technical and production elements are top drawer: great hair, makeup, and costumes. Also, a well-appointed set, populated by British acting royalty, like Timothy Spall, but just not enough “there” there.
With all credit due to a ballsy concept, a stellar cast, and Stewart’s good, but totally over-hyped performance, I was mostly bored.
Spencer is in theatres and streaming at home On Demand | 2 out of 4 Stars |