What comes to your mind when the name Kristen Stewart is brought up?
For your sake, I hope it is not Twilight. Like breakout star Robert Pattinson, there was a time where these two actors were saddled with the burden of being known for the trashy fantasy young adult series. But like Pattinson, Stewart has been building up a career of impressive films. She has yet to reach the level that he has (heck, he is Batman now) but she has some impressive work on her resume. Films like Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper show a different side of her talents that were buried during her time with Twilight. But the year was 2021 and Stewart may have found the role that will solidify her legacy as a true acting star.
What is the role that will help Stewart realize that dream?
Prince Diana. A tragic figure in human society (not just for the British), Diana was taken from us way too young. But this story is about the royals and the inevitability of what this spotlight and fame will do to such a woman. Pablo Larrain’s haunting drama paints a portrait of Diana’s life under the microscope but condensed into one horribly uncomfortable weekend. Spencer takes the experiences and themes of this story and threads them through an unnerving weekend. Is this how reality occurred exactly? We will never know. But what does Larrain accomplish? He creates an experience that puts the audience in the headspace of the princess.
But what is the crown jewel of this unique biopic drama?
Stewart of course. She completely disappears from the film. This is a completely different person on screen. From her walk, run, voice, posture, and expressions, Stewart creates one of the most fully realized characters you have seen on film in a long time. There is so much repressed emotion as Diana needs to keep a stiff upper lip. There is an anxiety that is bubbling up as well with a few scenes where this really bubbles up. Pearls…I will leave it at that.
Empathy is so important for the story as we need to connect with Diana and Stewart makes that so easy.
She has a unique charm about her that is hard not to enjoy.
What about the world that Larrain creates around Diana?
This film is haunting. The atmosphere is constantly filled with tension. There are sequences that are board line horror scenes (pearls…again) because of how powerful the tension that Larrain creates. Claire Mathon’s cinematography is rich and textured in a warm yet distant way. The visuals in the film are breathtaking with their eerie beauty. Then there is the score from Jonny Greenwood. Speaking of haunting…this is an emotionally rich and poignant score that draws out every ounce of energy in every scene. When you pull each of these elements together, you get one of the most visually arresting experiences of the year.
What about the actual story that Steven Knight crafts with his screenplay?
There is nonstop conflict throughout the film. Diana is always coming to blows with either the constraints of her life or the people who surround her. The biggest conflict comes from Major Alistar Gregory. Timothy Spall is commanding and intense with the gears always turning under the surface. She makes Diana’s weekend that much harder. Then there is the royal family itself. Diana is at her happiest and Spencer is its warmest when she is with her boys, William, and Harry. That cannot be said about Diana’s time with her husband, Charles. These scenes are arresting and tragic for Diana with Jack Farthing is so cold and distant in those scenes. But it is not always bad as Diana does have meaningful connections with the chef (Sean Harris) and her aid (Sally Hawkins).
Does Spencer stand out amongst a crowded field?
This has some of the best tension in cinema this year and boasts some of the best visuals.
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In a perfect world, this should be up for the best picture as it is a moving, arresting, and grandiose display of the guild cage that is the royal family. Larrain excels with these pseudo-biopics as he did with Jackie before it. But when the Oscar night comes…Stewart should be going home with a yellow statue.
