Her Majesty (2001)

Memorable, crazy movie

Great Film overall

Good concept, poorly executed.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Excellent movie for kids and family. Perfect for ages 10 and up, but 7-year-old kids absolutely loved it, too. As my daughter said, "It was so good, I forgot to eat my candy!" I spoke to several of the children, teenagers and adults after the movie. They all thoroughly enjoyed it. I specifically asked the mothers of 7-year-old girls if they were glad they brought their young daughters to the movie even though it's PG, and they each enthusiastically said yes. "Good values" was a phrase I heard very often by the adults. "Every girl should see it", said another.The main character works through issues such as basic right and wrong, friendship, bigotry, and family communication, and gives parents in the audience a wonderful opportunity to begin discussions on these topics with their own children. Finally, a good movie I'm actually glad my daughter saw.

Her Majesty examines the dilemma of a young girl who faces conflicting demands from her friends and family and her reactions to those pressures. Although set in New Zealand in the 1950's, the situations are universal and timeless. The movie covers racial prejudice, peer pressure, and parental influence in ways that allow an audience of any age to follow that part of the movie with which they most identify.The breathtaking scenery provided a beautiful backdrop against which to set the show. I was transported to a different time and place but felt like I was there. I was drawn to the struggle of the young girl to do what she thought was right even though it appeared she would have to pay a severe price to do so. Her character and that of the old Maori woman were well developed during the entire length of the movie and provided an in-depth look at how they deal with their place in the community. This was a pleasant change from most movies where the characters and their motivations are superficial or trite.This is a movie suitable for all ages that keeps your attention based on the plot and the characters rather than stunts or violence. I was able to see it while on a trip to Los Angeles and keep hoping for a wider release so my friends here can have a chance to see it as well.

This film was absolutely delightful. The characters were beautifully developed, the new young star was refreshing, innocent yet entirely believable. The film was truly engaging from start to finish, highly entertaining, delivered a wonderful message, but managed to avoid all the typical cliches of many "coming of age" films. It's really a treasure!

I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of seeing this film on March 24, 2002, at the 26th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival.What a delight! I must first admit that I had very few expectations for this film when I selected it. Like many film fesitval veterans, my film choices at these events tend more toward the logistic rather than the artistic: in other words, if the movie plays at 3 p.m. and I am free at 3 p.m. -- and none of the other three films playing at that same time interests me -- I frequently choose a film by default.In this case, however, my "choice by default" turned out to be a wonderful happenstance. This movie deserves to be picked up for national distribution within the United States very quickly. I was completely charmed by the story of a young New Zealander who is obsessed with Queen Elizabeth II. In an attempt to get the newly crowned Queen to visit her small cheese-making town, the youngster embarks upon a prolific letter-writing campaign to convince the Queen to visit the small town during her upcoming tour of the country.The relationships in the film are very strongly fleshed out, and the movie can make even the most hard-edged cynic tear up and cry like a little baby! The young actor who plays Elizabeth brings a genuine sweetness and pluckiness to her role. And the woman who plays the Maori elder is wise and noble but never succumbs to cliche. This is a family film that can wear such a badge with absolute distinction. It teaches without preaching or condescending. I cannot rave enough about this wonderful film!The writer/director of the film was present for the screening. He described how it took him nearly 13 years to get the movie made, what with his chasing of financing as well as his dealings with studios that wanted him to compromise his script by moving the setting to America instead of its New Zealand locale. I can only hope that some of these same "industry types" who were so quick to dismiss the film were present for the Cleveland screening, where the audience erupted in thunderous cheers and applause at the end of the movie.Keep a watchful eye out for this movie -- and pray that it gets the wide exposure it so dearly deserves!