Spencer is a psychological drama about the Christmas weekend Princess Diana decided to leave her her husband and the Royal family. The movie opens on Di(Kristen Stewart) driving by herself in the countryside attempting to locate the estate the family is to celebrate at, which happens to be next to the manor where she grew up. She eventually makes it to the estate where tensions between her and the staff grow as her mental health seemingly deteriorates.
Stewart makes a valiant effort but the performance is more full of breathy half sentences and facial ticks than real emotion or depth of character. Perhaps a fault of the script Diana is portrayed here as a mentally unhinged, somewhat spoiled, naïve victim without much variation. Regardless if that is the truth or not it doesn't make for a particularly compelling or sympatric lead. The supporting cast are all very assured but aside from half a dozen brief actual scenes(a great one with Diana's children played by Jack Nielen and Freddie Spry, one with Prince Charles played by Jack Farthing) the majority of the movie is taken up with solo scenes with Stewart where she breathes loudly and is fragile, it simply doesn't add up to much.
The cinematography is crisp and there are number of long, sweeping, beautiful tracking shots. The costuming is impeccable, the soundtrack effective in its evocation of claustrophobic dread. There is simply not enough meat on the narrative bone to match the expert production.
Compared to director Pablo Larraín 2016 offering Jackie, which has a similar tone and focus, it fails to grab perhaps because Stewart is unable to bring the electricity that Natalie Portman did or perhaps because the focus of Spencer is far too narrow and the character, as written, is far too weak.
Currently in theaters and available to rent on VOD.
Don't See It.
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