By Andrea K. Hammer
Film lovers revisiting stories about the monarchy will find Naomi Watts‘s performance in the movie Diana astounding. From the image of her on the DVD cover to scenes throughout the drama, the two-time Academy Award nominee should have won an Oscar for this role, according to one of our viewers.
Naomi Watts Evokes Princess Diana in “Mesmerizing” Performance
In the movie Diana, Naomi Watts captures the physical gestures, spirit and demeanor of Princess Diana, identified as “the most famous woman in the world” at one time. The gifted actress handles the seemingly daunting task with aplomb, striving to avoid mimicry–as noted in a special-feature interview–while evoking Diana’s essence. To the actress’s credit, the drama remains “mesmerizing” from start to finish, as one of our viewers commented.
Powerful Love Story Cannot Withstand Hounding of the Paparazzi
As her central love interest Dr. Hasnat Kahn, Naveen Andrews conveys the complexities and hardships of coping with a relationship in the limelight. The surgeon’s determination to maintain his core identity and privacy drives the actor’s on-point performance. While portraying this conflicted relationship with Princess Diana, Naveen Andrews and Naomi Watts reveal a powerful love story, which cannot withstand the unrelenting hounding of the paparazzi.
Questions About Minimal Appearances of Key Figures in True Story
Surrounding this pivotal story line, some surprising choices in the film raise repeated questions. Recurring issues include a single appearance of Princess Diana’s sons–at a distance–toward the end of the drama. A similar approach is taken in the representation of her relationship with Dodi Fayed (Cas Anver) at the end of her life. Charles does not appear in the film at all.
Important Recognition of Costume Designer’s Role Shaping Persona
Even those who do not give material elements high priority will recognize Princess Diana‘s glamorous wardrobe as a prominent factor in her magnetic public appearances during her life and in the film. With critical acknowledgment of costume designer Julian Day in a special “Diana Fashion Photo Booklet” included with the DVD, the film persona is developed further with a recreation of Versace’s floor-length electric blue asymmetrical gown, which Princess Diana wore wore at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Dinner at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Oct. 31, 1996. Sketches and material samples from another of Princess Diana’s favorite designers, Jacques Azagury, contribute to this interesting bonus material, which enhances the understanding of a costume designer’s vital yet often overlooked role in a successful film production.
