Director: Julian Jarrold
Cast: Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Rupert Everett, Emily Watson, Jack Raynor
A ROYAL NIGHT OUT comedy laden with mishap and adventure for the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret as they enjoy a night out on the town (ingognito of course) to celebrate VE Day with the rest of the country.
After some convincing the King (Rupert Everett) allows the girls to go out in London, much to the dismay of the Queen (Emily Watson) who promptly organises charperones and a ballroom full of dull old people for them to celebrate with. Young, up-for-anything Margaret (Bel Powley) sneaks out, closely followed by her sister Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and then all kinds of sheanigans happen, including splashing in the fountain, hanging out in a 'knocking shop' and Elizabeth meeting a young, very handsome AWOL air force pilot.
This film (like many other royal based films) shows a very fantasized version of the royal life and posits these girls in a ivory tower with a deep desire to know what it's like out there in the world. Rebellious and fun loving Margaret, and Elizabeth caught between a desire for a normal life and the duty she knows she must fulfil at a time in their lives when they should be having fun and learning what life is all about. Things that us commoners might take for granted like knowing how to catch a bus and push our way through a rowdy crowd.
The film is quite amusing at times, but has plenty of eye rolling moments like when Elizabeth declares that her family isn't in the habit of carrying money. The true star of this film in my opinion is Bel Powley who technically has a supporting role, but steals just about every scene with comedic prowess. She knows she's to play second fiddle to her older sister and she makes light of it, declaring herself as 'P2' (princess 2) and using wonderfully old fashioned terms like "I'm so cheesed" and "wizard!" She's enough to make even the die hard republican feel a little something something towards the royals!
The predicatable nature of the script - I mean as if the girls are going to be back before their 1 am curfew - didn't dampen my enjoyment of this lighthearted comedy and you must always remember to take films like this with a grain of salt (preferably served in a margharita). There are probably a few strings of truth in the script, it does claim to be inspired by true events, but remember it is a work of fiction and the screen writers have done a pretty decent job.
The banter between Elizabeth and Jack, the young AWOL soldier she gathers up as her makeswhift body guard-come- tour guide does get a little tiresome, particularly because it takes precious screen time away from Margaret who they are chasing down through the streets of London and her highjinks are much more entertaining! I mean the poor dear ends up in a seedy brothel and seeks help from the owner to get back to the Chelsea Barracks - comedy gold right there people! Don't get me wrong though, I did cop it in the feels a little bit knowing that the blossoming feelings between Jack and Elizabeth would never amount to anything, because Elizabeth knows her place in the world and so does young Jack, but for a brief moment there is a little glimmer of hope and what if. Could you imagine?! What a different world it would have been had Elizabeth run off into the night with a young AWOL soldier?! Good Lord the scandal!
The film wraps up in a very predictable, inoffensive way and everyone goes off to live their lives as if nothing ever happened. I wonder how the real Queen Elizabeth feels about this portrayal of her night out on the town with her sister? I mean they did go out that night, although my understanding is that they never made it past the Ritz and they had over a dozen chaperones, not just two bumbling soldiers. I like the liberties the script writes have taken, particularly with young Margaret (I may have mentioned that I thought she was the start of the show).
If you're looking for something lighthearted and fun then give A ROYAL NIGHT OUT a go, but maybe use some movie money or cinema vouchers. I don't necessarily think it's worth the twenty-something dollars.
2.8 out of 5
xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell
A ROYAL NIGHT OUT comedy laden with mishap and adventure for the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret as they enjoy a night out on the town (ingognito of course) to celebrate VE Day with the rest of the country.
After some convincing the King (Rupert Everett) allows the girls to go out in London, much to the dismay of the Queen (Emily Watson) who promptly organises charperones and a ballroom full of dull old people for them to celebrate with. Young, up-for-anything Margaret (Bel Powley) sneaks out, closely followed by her sister Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and then all kinds of sheanigans happen, including splashing in the fountain, hanging out in a 'knocking shop' and Elizabeth meeting a young, very handsome AWOL air force pilot.
The King grants the girls a night on the town
This film (like many other royal based films) shows a very fantasized version of the royal life and posits these girls in a ivory tower with a deep desire to know what it's like out there in the world. Rebellious and fun loving Margaret, and Elizabeth caught between a desire for a normal life and the duty she knows she must fulfil at a time in their lives when they should be having fun and learning what life is all about. Things that us commoners might take for granted like knowing how to catch a bus and push our way through a rowdy crowd.
The film is quite amusing at times, but has plenty of eye rolling moments like when Elizabeth declares that her family isn't in the habit of carrying money. The true star of this film in my opinion is Bel Powley who technically has a supporting role, but steals just about every scene with comedic prowess. She knows she's to play second fiddle to her older sister and she makes light of it, declaring herself as 'P2' (princess 2) and using wonderfully old fashioned terms like "I'm so cheesed" and "wizard!" She's enough to make even the die hard republican feel a little something something towards the royals!
Princess Margaret having a splash
The predicatable nature of the script - I mean as if the girls are going to be back before their 1 am curfew - didn't dampen my enjoyment of this lighthearted comedy and you must always remember to take films like this with a grain of salt (preferably served in a margharita). There are probably a few strings of truth in the script, it does claim to be inspired by true events, but remember it is a work of fiction and the screen writers have done a pretty decent job.
The banter between Elizabeth and Jack, the young AWOL soldier she gathers up as her makeswhift body guard-come- tour guide does get a little tiresome, particularly because it takes precious screen time away from Margaret who they are chasing down through the streets of London and her highjinks are much more entertaining! I mean the poor dear ends up in a seedy brothel and seeks help from the owner to get back to the Chelsea Barracks - comedy gold right there people! Don't get me wrong though, I did cop it in the feels a little bit knowing that the blossoming feelings between Jack and Elizabeth would never amount to anything, because Elizabeth knows her place in the world and so does young Jack, but for a brief moment there is a little glimmer of hope and what if. Could you imagine?! What a different world it would have been had Elizabeth run off into the night with a young AWOL soldier?! Good Lord the scandal!
The film wraps up in a very predictable, inoffensive way and everyone goes off to live their lives as if nothing ever happened. I wonder how the real Queen Elizabeth feels about this portrayal of her night out on the town with her sister? I mean they did go out that night, although my understanding is that they never made it past the Ritz and they had over a dozen chaperones, not just two bumbling soldiers. I like the liberties the script writes have taken, particularly with young Margaret (I may have mentioned that I thought she was the start of the show).
The bumbling chaperones that manage to lose and find the Princesses
If you're looking for something lighthearted and fun then give A ROYAL NIGHT OUT a go, but maybe use some movie money or cinema vouchers. I don't necessarily think it's worth the twenty-something dollars.
2.8 out of 5
xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell
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