Movie Review: Diana (+trailer)

Naomi Watts give an unwavering performance as Diana, Princess of Wales.

When an event so big occurs, something that affects people from all corners of the globe, you will always remember where you were at the time of it happening. I was in Britain when Diana, Princess of Wales, died. I was staying at a friend's house and clearly remember walking down the stairs and her mum saying to me: "Diana's dead."

When I turned on the TV, all channels had rolling reports of the crash, conspiracy theories and interviews.

The timing of this biopic begins soon after her separation from Prince Charles. It centres on the budding relationship between the Princess, as portrayed by Naomi Watts, and Pakistani heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan, played by Naveen Andrews.

A chance meeting between the Princess and the doctor blooms into an unlikely pairing.

Throughout the film she battles with inner conflict and insecurity, of wanting to be loved, and her struggles with the palace.

This film definitely offers a side you might never have suspected existed, given her dignity during the never-ending scandals.

The film, sometimes gratuitously, "checks in" with her official duties and there are scenes of her humanitarian work and mentions of her sons, which at times seem a little clunky. However, Watts produces an unwavering performance and gives it her all.

I can only speculate about Andrews' interpretation of Khan, an arrogant man in love who, like the Princess, is torn by their situation.

I am sure a film of this nature may have some unavoidable deviation from how exactly some events played out.

The important thing to realise is that this film does not show the Princess' whole life and does not pretend to. It is recommended for all Diana fans because, regardless of what may have gone on behind closed doors, she was and will always be our Queen of Hearts.

Diana
(M) 113 minutes
Rating: 3 / 5