The life of Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales, has always been in the public eye, be it her wedding with Prince Charles or her relationship with her in-laws. The most recent is the Season 4 of the web series ‘The Crown’.
Adding to the number of films comes Pablo Larrain’s ‘Spencer’, a story about a Christmas holiday at the Sandringham House. Just as Larrain depicts the life of Jacqueline Kennedy in ‘Jackie’ following the week of her husband President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, ‘Spencer’ too focuses on the crucial phase of Princess Diana’s life when things begin to disintegrate in the royal family. The film showcases a tense Christmas for the Princess over a course of three days, and narrates what she was going through during the time.
Written by Steven Knight, ‘Spencer’ opens with a disclaimer “A fable from a true tragedy”, indicating that it’s more fiction than fact. The film starts with a Christmas setting in 1991 where Princess Diana (Kristen Stewart) deliberately arrives late at the Sandringham House. Entering the palace, the Equerry, Major Alistair Gregory (Timothy Spall) greets her with a stern face telling her that she is late and should be with the royal family celebrating Christmas.
Diana manages to put a brave face for her kids William (Jack Nielen) and Harry (Freddie Spry) despite knowing about her husband Prince Charles’s (Jack Farthing) affair with Camilla Parker Bowles (Emma Darwall-Smith). It is evident that Diana and her sons are close to each other and the rest of the family, including Queen Elizabeth (Stella Gonet) and Prince Philip (Richard Sammel), does not treat her well. Other than her kids, the only person who shows kindness and is supportive towards Diana is the royal dresser Maggie (Sally Hawkins), but she also disappears when Diana needs her the most.
Since Lady Diana sees no future for her and the kids at the royal palace, she longs to return to her childhood home, which is sealed off behind barbed wires and she cannot go there. Despite warning, she goes to her old home and looks at the ruins of her lost childhood. The attitude of the Royals and her husband’s advice of having two faces, one in private and another for the people, further agitate her.
Later she finds a book on Anne Boleyn (Amy Manson), the Queen of England (1533 – 1536) and the second wife of King Henry VIII. Reading about Boleyn’s beheading because her husband could marry his mistress further disturbs Diana for she fears the same could be done with her. She starts having visions of the queen and soon finds it hard to differ between reality and fantasy. Diana seems to lose her grip until she finds a way to break free.
Donning beautifully crafted hats with Diana’s signature short bob haircut, Kristen manages to blend all kinds of emotions that the Princess might be feeling at various points in her life. Sally Hawkins as Maggie plays a short yet meaningful role. Though she is the Princess’ favourite dresser, Diana finds a true friend in her. Sean Harris portrays the loyal kitchen stalwart Darren who is always eager to make something special for his princess.
Larrain portrays Diana’s pain and frustration with heavy and somewhat blunt dialogues. Cinematographer Claire Mathon beautifully captures the royal stares that make Diana feel trapped. Jacqueline Durran did an amazing job with Diana’s costumes and even labelled all her gowns as ‘POW’, Princess of Wales.
The first dinner scene is brilliantly executed where Diana feels disgusted by wearing the same pearl necklace as her husband’s mistress. She breaks free of the necklace sending the pearls all around including her pea soup. She proceeds to chew the pearls, cracking them with her teeth and then runs away. Imagine the pain of sitting across from your cheating husband on a table.
Pablo Larrain’s take on the film is one-sided for it largely focuses on how much Diana wants freedom. Described as a fable in the beginning, ‘Spencer’ is a political tale of powerlessness, revolt and liberation. Viewers are going to feel all the emotions if they are a fan of the Royal Lady. 
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