Film Review: A Royal Affair (15) (Denmark/Sweden/Czech Republic/Germany 2012) (Danish, English, German and French with English Subtitles) (Director: Nikolaj Arcel), Saturday 21.07.2012 17:45, Filmhouse Cinema Screen One, Edinburgh 

This film conveys historical events regarding the progressive implementation of the ideals of enlightenment into Danish society, at a time when they were still deeply mistrusted by those who were still unquestioning of the teachings of the bible and were reactionary to the changes being attempted. It also shows how tragically the one spearheading the change was killed by the 'old guard' who were still the holders of real power.

The one leading the change was the libertine who became the kings personal physician, and then much more than that. He used his influence to direct the king along the path of enlightened thinking and have the progressive changes enacted. The physician then had an affair with the kings wife (whose marriage had been arranged and done prior to their meeting), which produced her second child. When this became known the physician was executed and the kings wife sent into exile, where she died an early death due to ill health. With this the progressive laws became repealed. Then the queen's children when old enough, learnt what happened and her son (1st born) with the assistance of his father, who had been king, conducted a coup, this then lead to the progressive laws being reinstated  and being taken further than before.

The film is well paced and performed by all the cast. The central characters don't appear particularly likable. Though then it is clear that the king (Mikkel Boe Folsgaard) is prevented from holding real power and is viewed as mad, which could be seen as contributing to his character becoming eccentric and self-centred. The queen (Alicia Vikander) finds herself in an unhappy & loveless marriage where she has nothing in common with her husband and in an alien community and culture, so it is hardly surprising that she is unhappy for much of the time, except when alone with her lover and fellow libertine; though this also causes her to be betraying her husband. The physician (Mads Mikkelsen) always appears to have had trying to influence the enacting of progressive change as his central focus, though he can hardly be blamed for that. The films true villains are the 'old guard' and their duplicitous means of trying to prevent change that they do not like.

The film is engaging and tells a historically important tale, which I had not been aware of previously. In retrospect though I find it hard to feel excited about it as a film and don't feel an urge to rush to see again. I feel as though I should like the film more and don't feel able to agree with Mark Kermode on this one (he saw it as his film of the year, so far), As mentioned in the last posted review, there are only three new films I've seen so far this year, that I would class as flawless and this film although  good, would not even make it into a top five of the year so far.

Rating: 07/10.