Covering the last two years of the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, this biopic focuses (and speculates) on her post-divorce affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Kahn (Andrews) and, finally, Dodi Fayed.
Make no mistake; this is a melodrama, a tale of doomed romance. Subtlety is nowhere to be found in the film, which boasts lines such as “He doesn`t treat me like a princess; it`s almost as if he doesn`t know who I am. Even her humanitarian interests are presented through cringe-worthy moments like: “When I visit hospitals I get excited. I feel like I can make a contribution.”
Despite her efforts, Watts is ultimately let down by a script that never feels genuine. This film, which aims to humanise Diana and condemn her oppression by the media, is as guilty of exploring a part of the beloved royal`s life which she wished to keep private, as the weeklies and tabloids were back in the 1990s. Beyond its shiny exterior, Diana is still little more than gossip, and further exploitation of the woman it claims to be humanising.
Summary: More stereotypical than a Disney princess movie.
RATING: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Miguel Gonzalez