We didn't go into "The Queen" expecting much.

But boy were we wrong.

This is a fascinating speculative account of what happened the week after Princess Diana's untimely death, what happened when Tony Blair felt an obligation to save the monarchy.

Blair's wife was ready to let the Royal family sink of its own dimwitted, unfeeling weight. But Blair, perhaps feeling that the destiny of the monarchy was somehow inexplicably tied ot his own fate, nudged and prodded Queen Elizabeth into recognizing the grief that the British felt over Diana's death.

As almost everyone knows by now, Helen Mirren makes the Queen appear so real and genuine that the film has the feel of a documentary. (Oddly enough, Mirren cut her teeth as a star in Shakespeare plays, known for exuding eroticism and sensuality in her roles, not a dowdy queen.)

The politics and personalities of the monarchy, as well as the irrepressible eagerness of Blair "to do the right thing" make for an absolutely fascinating interplay of forces.

Mirren carries off her Oscar winning role with authority, subtlety and archness.