Film Review - Diana

           
Candle In the Wind      

Film: Diana

Cast: Naomi Watts, Naveen Andrews

Directed by: Oliver Hirschbiegel

Duration: 1 hr 53 mins

Rating: *  *  *

There has been a lot of negativity surrounding this film and the British press has been very harsh on it. They perhaps have their reasons, after all it is about a person who was close to the public there and everyone had an opinion about her, mostly a sympathetic view. So when you make a film on a figure like the Princess of Wales, it is an uphill task to begin with after all,  there were good, bad and quite a few ugly episodes as well in her life.

But as a film, I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciate this effort by director Oliver Hirschbiegel who gave us Downfall, the unforgettable film on the last days of Hitler. Based on a book by Kate Snell, he is focused on a specific episode in her life, after her split with Prince Charles.

The story is told in flashback after she had separated with her husband but not divorced. Diana (Naomi Watts) was the cynosure of all eyes and had a tough time keeping out of the public glare. That’s when she met Hasnat (Naveen Andrews), a heart surgeon working in London and a romance brewed between them. It was of course not easy for the two of them, she had to keep the affair private and he was also a man who didn’t want to compromise on his principles.

Diana as we know did a lot of good work in all parts of the world, especially in Africa for the landmine victims. The good Samaritan that she was, is highlighted as much as the vulnerable person that she was, who longed to be loved. During a moment of conflict with her lover, he says that he loves her to which she replies that there are billion around the world who love her, what she wants is someone who will stay by her side.

Moments like those, give us a glimpse about a woman who loved and also wanted to be loved.

The dialogues are not particularly sparkling and the romance may seem a bit trite, since there is no concrete evidence of how exactly it unfolded. Her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed also has a certain twist with regards to the doctor, she wanted to make the latter jealous by getting involved with the billionaire.

Her differences with Prince Charles and her skirmishes with the Royal family are completed avoided, but the way the story unfolds but I didn’t miss that. One way to savour this film is to enjoy what is being served rather than look out for what is missing.

Naomi Watts in the lead role has expectedly done good job. Even though you might hear mixed views about the film, I suggest you see it for yourself and decide.

(Published in The Navhind Times on 6th Oct 2013)