The Queen: Movie: A | Extras: B-

Watching "The Queen", you are witnessing filmmaking at its best. Oh, and it's not a product of Hollywood. "The Queen" is an intimate look at the British Royal family after Princess Diana's death. Also juxtaposed into the story is the rise of Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), who was elected Prime Minister of England mere days before Diana's passing.

This is a beautifully made film; one that demands multiple viewings to take in all the brilliant subtleties like the Queen's sleep attire or the way Tony Blair's flat is decorated. The expert acting is what stands out upon first viewing.

What more can be said about Helen Mirren's Oscar-winning performance that hasn't been said already? She plays the queen with a dignified humility while maintaining a royal presence every moment she's on screen. While on the surface the film is about the royal family, it's actually about British culture and the people of Britain. Frears uses footage from the "telly companies" to assign authenticity to the period.

Some of the most powerful scenes are that of Diana speaking out against the royal family and real British citizens mourning the death of their princess. Something that I, as an American, did not realize, was how absurd some Britains think the royal family is. Diana was their fighter against The Establishment, which the Queen embodied.

The special features are hit and miss. While the making-of featurette delivers interviews with all the actors, producers and director, I feel like the movie can stand alone.

The two commentary tracks (one with the writer and the director, one with a British Historian/Royal Family Expert) adds more insight into the making of the film and the culture surrounding it and should not be missed. "The Queen" is a must see not only for film buffs, but for culture buffs as well.