A Royal Night Out

16 May 2015 Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - A Royal Night Out. On 8 May 1945 all of Britain was celebration Victory in Europe and behind the doors of Buckingham Palace two daughters were asking their parents if they might be allowed to join in. The two daughters were Princess Elizabeth, heir to the Throne and her sister Princess Margaret. This store is rumoured to be based partly on fact and I would very much like to have heard it was all true. With Rupert Everett starring as King George and Emily Watson playing his wife Queen Elizabeth this film is a rather jolly jape depicting what could have happened if the two princesses had been allowed out on the town for the whole night. Everett and Watson were uncanny as the King and Queen, and the girls bore more than a little resemblance to the Princesses ....although costume, deportment and hairstyle helped enormously. The plot was a little like I imagine that day to be, uproariously out of control but most joyful. My favourite line in the whole film was when Lilibet was asking Jack the airman to assist her to make the most of 'an opportunity to be ordinary on the most extraordinary day of her life'. I wonder if the Queen has seen this and if so, was she a little wistful.

They certainly didn't let the truth get in the way of telling a good story when they wrote this one and I imagine apart from the fact that the Princess' went outside of the Palace to join in the VE celebrations I think that's about where it ends.

In saying that the movie is light and fluffy and watchable and more a good rainy day movie to watch at home. I think my 70 year old mum would love this movie as would my 12 year old daughter as it is a cute and light movie; enjoyable to watch; sweet and romantic. I thought "P1 and P2" were great actors and made the movie for me and probably they are the main reason I would give this movie a 3/5 rather than a 2.

A watchable light movie with a fairytale storyline.

I'd been looking forward to A Royal Night Out's release since first seeing the trailer a few weeks ago. Now, after seeing the film, I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed. The action begins slowly, but once the royal sisters become enmeshed in London's VE night revelries I found myself being carried along by events in ways that were at times funny, at times exciting, at times emotionally moving - even at times with feelings of national pride - but always with interest and anticipation. One 'bonus' I hadn't expected was that the story would also feature elements of a very touching love story. This latter, for me, endowed the story with a certain 'fairy tale' quality. (But it is a film of fiction ... so, why not??) The three leads - Elisabeth, Margaret and Jack - are all excellent. Supporting actors and actresses of the cast provide additional variety and entertainment and play their parts with apparent enthusiasm. A lot of work obviously went into recreating the crowd, traffic and London scenes of 1945 and clothing styles seemed authentic to me. All in all a worthwhile undertaking painstakingly and lovingly realised. Go see this film. My bet is you'll be glad you did. Highly recommended. 8/10.

This period piece is about one magical night in the lives of Princesses Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and Margaret (Bel Powley). It is a fantasy that really captures the imagination. The two royals surely must have been overly protected---from danger, from scandal, from their own teenage whims. But "A Royal Night Out" imagines an adventure on VE Day, when all of London was celebrating and the girls might have yearned to be common enough to join in.

The era is certainly captured by costumes, manners and scenery, allowing the viewer to indulge freely in the illusion. The two young women are delightful. And the general tone of the scenes carries the emotions along, feeling exactly like the overwhelming release that came with victory after years of sacrifice, fear, and stiff upper lips. The scene when the king appears at Buckingham Palace is stirring.

Recommended for history buffs, fans of period pieces and those who might find romance in a childish fantasy that--though it is only about one night--is also a coming of age story. I saw this film before its general release with no knowledge of its subject, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Not exactly of course, but then again this might not accurate on how things went down either. Depicting historical figures and a historical event (end of WWII, British crown and so forth) might not be something people are too interested to watch. But then if you like a feel good movie overall and a fish out of water story (loyalty mixing it up with common folk), then you might be right here.

Having said that, there is still some tough issues that want to be answered, but even when this gets darker, it never loses focus on the lightness that makes it work. So this isn't too critical or too dramatic, but it is entertaining, while being predictable in giving us the clichés we expect. Having said, costumes and settings are generally good and the acting is decent too