Queen Helen

I have placed a Helen Mirren interview from some years back in Selected Articles. Much as I hate saying what everyone else is saying, her performance in The Queen is staggering. Indeed, it feels as though she actually directed the film just with her facial expressions. She also - see the article - gives great, if confusing, dinner. As for the story - well, plainly, the writer was briefed by Blair people as he comes out of it unbelievably well, Cherie doesn't and, happily, neither does the eternally superfluous Alastair Campbell. Gordon Brown is just a noise off. All very satisfying.