In the jubilee year, royal documentaries abound, aiming to shed new light on the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Amid the sea of retellings, the late director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Changing Lanes) offers a refreshingly unique approach in his final film, Elizabeth: A Portrait In Parts. Instead of relying on typical narrative conventions, Michell crafts an inventive collage of archival footage, weaving together a patchwork of moments that form a portrait of the queen’s extraordinary life.
While the film may not reveal groundbreaking revelations, it masterfully employs clever filmmaking to make audiences reexamine what they thought they knew about Queen Elizabeth II. The footage includes iconic scenes like her 1953 coronation, as well as intimate and unguarded moments that offer glimpses behind the royal curtain. These unscripted and candid moments capture a different side of the enigmatic British icon, showcasing her wit, humor, and resilience.
Michell’s affectionate yet lightly irreverent tone infuses the film with an unexpected charm. Accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack featuring artists like George Formby, Robbie Williams, and Stormzy, the documentary aims to present an unseen perspective on the queen’s life. Drawing a parallel with the Mona Lisa, another enigmatic female icon, the film explores the challenge of revealing the true essence of a prominent figure like Queen Elizabeth.
However, Elizabeth: A Portrait In Parts faces its limitations. The non-judgmental approach and lack of voiceover may leave some viewers craving a deeper exploration of the queen’s political influence and the republican movements within the British Empire. Nevertheless, Michell’s film remains an impressive feat of documentary filmmaking, offering a fitting tribute to the late director’s illustrious and endlessly captivating career. As it peels back the layers of the queen’s public image, Elizabeth: A Portrait In Parts invites audiences to ponder the complexities of a figure who has shaped British history for decades.