In “The Princess,” director Ed Perkins attempts to shed new light on the life of Lady Diana Spencer, the iconic people’s princess. Using a staggering amount of archival footage, the documentary delves into Diana’s early days courting Prince Charles, their engagement, wedding, and her tumultuous post-divorce period. While the film’s intention may be to celebrate Diana’s singularity and privacy amidst relentless media intrusion, it ends up feeling hypocritical and lacking in true insight.
A Tapestry of Familiar Moments
Lady Diana Spencer’s life was marked by relentless media attention, and “The Princess” revisits familiar moments from her life. Viewers are taken back to key events, including her Panorama interview with Martin Bashir, her visits to AIDS patients, and her involvement in her children’s activities. The film accentuates just how intensely the world scrutinized her, from her wedding to Charles, where vox-pop interviews of fans commenting on her dress are replayed. Unfortunately, the documentary merely retraces the tragic path that ultimately led to her untimely death.
Hypocrisy Amidst Invasion of Privacy
The Princess inadvertently highlights the damage inflicted upon Diana and her family by the media and the public. As viewers witness people blaming “the media” and advocating for privacy on camera, a realization dawns about the role the public played in contributing to Diana’s struggles. Charles is given moments to defend himself, while Diana’s segments are often juxtaposed with dramatic music and invasive news reporters’ voiceovers.
The Futility of Shifting Blame
The documentary’s attempt to spotlight those to blame in Diana’s life ultimately falls short. Pointing fingers and shifting blame do not serve a greater purpose or redeem the past. The damage was already done, and focusing on blame is futile and insensitive. Instead, the film should have aimed to listen and understand Diana’s story without rehashing the pain.
The Elusive Quest for Truth
There is much to admire in cinema that challenges audiences and condemns injustice. However, when it comes to Diana, the pursuit of truth through recycled footage and blame-shifting feels out of place. Diana’s life was marked by invasion, and using her story to highlight the flaws of others without adding new insight does little to honor her memory.
In Conclusion: An Unnecessary Retelling
Ultimately, “The Princess” falls short of its purported goal. While Lady Diana Spencer’s life remains a subject of fascination, this documentary fails to offer anything new or meaningful. It becomes a repetitive tale of tragedy, rather than a fresh perspective on the enigmatic woman the world lost too soon.
