moonspinner55
Fatigued dramatization of Princess Diana's complicated love life in the final years before her untimely death in a Paris car accident in 1997. Stephen Jeffreys' screenplay (inspired by Kate Snell's book, "Diana: Her Last Love"), asserts that Diana was on the rebound from a broken love affair with a Pakistani heart surgeon when she died, and was using Dodi Fayed (who was killed alongside her) to stir up publicity and perhaps a bit of jealousy. As seen from a distance playing the piano, or filmed from behind getting out of cars or walking down corridors, Naomi Watts bears a passing resemblance to Diana (her coif is the only thing which will evoke memories of the ill-fated Princess, and even this isn't very convincing when seen in close-up). It isn't necessarily Watts' fault--she gives the part a noble try--but no modern actress should be expected to walk in Diana's shoes and pull off a feat of magic (even the real Princess of Wales found the role difficult to play!). Perhaps it's too soon to reenact this sad bit of history. In any case, the attempt is both crass and pointless, with the jet-setting locales and elaborate camera set-ups only adding to the discomforting feeling of wasted money, effort and time. ** from ****
Jackson Booth-Millard
I saw the dreadful Nicole Kidman as princess Grace Kelly biographical film Grace of Monaco, a year before there came this biographical film about probably the British nation's, if not one of the world's, most famous princesses, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall, The Invasion). Basically this film tells the story of the last two years in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales (Razzie nominated Naomi Watts), beginning with the events following her divorce from Prince Charles, including the infamous Panorama interview with Martin Bashir (Prasanna Puwanarajah). Following this, Diana is visiting a hospital, where she meets Pakistani heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan (Lost's Naveen Andrews), he is questionably calm towards her as they spend time together, and it builds into a relationship where both have developed loving feelings for each other. Diana knows that any relationship would cause a media storm, so she and Hasnat keep their love a secret, in the meantime Diana goes to Angola to campaign against the use of land mines, and she travels to Australia, Pakistan, New York, Bosnia, Italy and ultimately Paris, France to get involved in causes, it also shows her changes in fashion. Hasnat cannot take the pressures of their hidden relationship any longer, and he objects to Diana's celebrity status stopping them having a private life, so her desires for a life with him are ended when he breaks their relationship, Diana is heartbroken. In an attempt to make Hasnat jealous Diana starts dating Egyptian Dodi Fayed (Cas Anvar), son of billionaire and Harrods Department Store owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, and for a while it seems to work. But on 31st August 1997 tragedy occurs, Diana is last seen (on camera) inside a lift, before getting in Fayed's car, after being chased by reporters the car crashes in the Pont Alma Tunnel, in Paris, France, Diana, Fayed and the driver are killed (this is unseen), Hasnat is devastated to hear the news, all he can in the end is place a bunch of flowers where many well wishers have. Also starring Douglas Hodge as Paul Burrell, Geraldine James as Oonagh Shanley-Toffolo, Charles Edwards as Patrick Jephson, Juliet Stevenson as Sonia, Daniel Pirrie as Jason Fraser, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade's Michael Byrne as Christiaan Barnard, Laurence Belcher as Prince William, Harry Holland as Prince Harry and Art Malik as Samundar. Watts may be British (I assumed she was either Australian or American), and she does have a relatively good likeness to the real Diana, "the most famous woman in the world", but all she does is do daft mannerisms, be overly nice, act naive in certain situations and put on some tears for sympathy. The bigger problem however is how the film is played out, it is like a mushy and predictable romantic drama with a forbidden love, the "people's princess" is made to look like a simple-minded blonde, it has the most terrible script, especially during the lovey dovey scenes, a fluffy and ultimately awful historical romance. Adequate!
sherrilrichardson
Hopefully I spelled his name correctly. This movie was about him. His view, his personal choices, his family and the perceived selfishness of his mother that led to their break up. How she died with Dody but wanted "him all along". How the relationship with Dody was fake, because she really wanted him. Come on, nobody cares about this guy, we want the story- beginning to end- Charles....the Royal family...those dynamics- I can't believe these actors signed up for this nonsense. Epic failure for all of them. Diana was a beautiful and discarded woman- this story should reflect all of that- not just a Pakistani heart surgeon she passed some time with.
alan-athome
Let's face it, a score of 5.4 usually means "don't bother" Either a poor-ish film by somebody known for better output or a foolish romp involving American high school kids This deserves a bit of retrospection (is there any other way to look at films?). OK, it's going to be difficult to find an actor that looks exactly like Diana,but by the end Naomi had me convinced and arousing in me the same feelings(sadness, shame)I had at the time.I liked the way the Windsors were dealt with in the film, there would be no point in turning this love story into a who done it. If this is close to the truth, then how very, very sad. I implore everyone who went through the Diana years to watch this
