Based on the life of Princess Diana, ‘Spencer’ is a tragic and fantasy depiction of one awful Christmas of her life. The fiction is depicted with such aesthetics that the tragedy frustrates yet mesmerises. Kristen Stewart delivered a brilliant personification. She looked so strangely similar and her body language throughout will make anyone want to embrace her and hold her out of her miseries.
There are dark moments in the film especially when Stewart hallucinates, however, the end is uplifting. One would want more of it; the flow of the movie is very smooth and effortless. The background score is beautiful. It adds up to the play. The somber music flows along with the plot like an artistic meditation.
The movie depicts the cold marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. She was always aloof and unloved. At the Queen’s Sandringham Estate, the entire family goes to celebrate Christmas and she lost her way to the palace. It was symbolic of the fact that she was ‘zoning out’ and was feeling chaotic. She shared a very warm bond with both her sons but the family never accepted her wholly.
She was always late for all the events and no one ever bothered to empathize with her. She was always blamed. Pablo Larrain’s portrayal of Diana is that of a woman who is lonely and wants to break free.
With episodes of self-harm and hallucinations, Diana was the rebellious royal highness who is the favourite subject of paparazzis. She read a book on Anne Boleyn and identified her loneliness with that queen counting seconds to her doom. Her mother-in-law was completely passive towards her. Apart from her sons, it’s only the royal dresser who loved her genuinely.
Steven Knight writes a story that seems extremely realistic. As an audience, one would feel helpless to see Diana’s miserable life. The 111 minutes long drama is worth watching. The acting, cinematography, storyline and plot development are just near perfect.
Spencer is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Videos.
Rating:- 4/5
