Spencer: A Reimagined Tragedy
When another Princess Diana project was announced there was a collective ugh heard around the world, especially one starring an American.
Chilean director Pablo Larrain creates “a fable from a true tragedy” over three chilly Sandringham days of the Royal Family’s Christmas holiday. Larrain and screenwriter Steve Knight have no interest in following Princess Diana's predecessor documentaries or shows. They assume their audience already knows the story leaving Spencer to go in any direction it chooses. It plays as a claustrophobic psycho-drama centering around an iconic woman.
Larrain has a fascination with women held in society’s grip who strive to find an escape. His 2016 film, Jackie, starring Natalie Portman looks at the former first lady’s days as a widow. His dive into Diana shares similarities with Jackie both seem like everything on the outside is fun but on the inside, they are suffering.
It paints Diana as a woman who is under attack. She is depressed and isolated from her “family” forced to function by their rules from what to wear to where to go. In this big estate, she is cornered in order to avoid any familial interactions. While she is trapped, the situation allows Diana to show the qualities that make her the people’s princess.
Kristen Stewart’s performance is multi-dimensional. Her Diana is soft-spoken not because she’s scared but because “they can hear everything.” Stewart brings her own experiences of being trapped by fame into this role. She plays her with compassion and channels Diana’s innate shyness.
Each little detail from music to wardrobe perfectly crafts together this psychological horror. Cinematographer Claire Mathon uses the camera to chase and stalk Diana around long corridors to Johnny Greenwood’s shuddering in order to capture discomfort. Greenwood’s score immerses the audience in Diana’s descent into madness the longer she’s trapped. High-pitched strings and clinking glasses emphasize Diana’s overwhelmed, paranoid nature. A wardrobe full of tightening pearl necklaces and stunning Chanel gowns remind the princess she is a prisoner in her worst moments. Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas turns Sandringham into a shadowy labyrinthine minus supernatural forces. He is able to create Larrain’s idea of a cage Diana is kept captive.
This recent addition to the Dianassance is a refresh and should be used as a map for future biopics.