Her Majesty

We saw this film at a screening with the director in May of 2004. We were lucky that an owner of a local theater chain saw this film at a film festival and brought it to our city, one of the first 3 to show the film. As a small independent film, this movie is at a disadvantage without a major studio backing them, but the director said he was committed to a theater release, so hopefully many people will that the opportunity to go see this beautiful movie.

We were delighted with the freshness of the story and the beautiful scenery of New Zealand. Sally Andrews is so great as the girl, Elizabeth, and she steals the show. This is a sweet film that you can take the family to without worrying about inappropriate material. Ironically, you should be aware that there is some sexual innuendo, but it is likely to go over your children's heads, and I did not find it to be offensive. Overall the movie appeals to young and old alike, and I would highly recommend it.

My wife and I had the unexpected pleasure to view this film on Feb 7, 2003. I had heard good things about it but did not expect to be grabbed by the story as a macho man. I thought this was going to be a film to take your kids to. Were we ever surprised. It could have been set in middle America, not New Zealand, in the 50s. The humor is universal as is the heart---and I could understand every word. This looks, sounds and feels as good as any about any studio film I have seen. Let's hope Her Majesty gets shown all over, it has more and broader appeal than Greek Weddings for sure!

Her Majesty examines the dilemma of a young girl who faces conflicting demands from her friends and family and her reactions to those pressures. Although set in New Zealand in the 1950's, the situations are universal and timeless. The movie covers racial prejudice, peer pressure, and parental influence in ways that allow an audience of any age to follow that part of the movie with which they most identify.

The breathtaking scenery provided a beautiful backdrop against which to set the show. I was transported to a different time and place but felt like I was there. I was drawn to the struggle of the young girl to do what she thought was right even though it appeared she would have to pay a severe price to do so. Her character and that of the old Maori woman were well developed during the entire length of the movie and provided an in-depth look at how they deal with their place in the community. This was a pleasant change from most movies where the characters and their motivations are superficial or trite.

This is a movie suitable for all ages that keeps your attention based on the plot and the characters rather than stunts or violence. I was able to see it while on a trip to Los Angeles and keep hoping for a wider release so my friends here can have a chance to see it as well.

I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of seeing this film on March 24, 2002, at the 26th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival.

What a delight! I must first admit that I had very few expectations for this film when I selected it. Like many film fesitval veterans, my film choices at these events tend more toward the logistic rather than the artistic: in other words, if the movie plays at 3 p.m. and I am free at 3 p.m. -- and none of the other three films playing at that same time interests me -- I frequently choose a film by default.

In this case, however, my "choice by default" turned out to be a wonderful happenstance. This movie deserves to be picked up for national distribution within the United States very quickly. I was completely charmed by the story of a young New Zealander who is obsessed with Queen Elizabeth II. In an attempt to get the newly crowned Queen to visit her small cheese-making town, the youngster embarks upon a prolific letter-writing campaign to convince the Queen to visit the small town during her upcoming tour of the country.

The relationships in the film are very strongly fleshed out, and the movie can make even the most hard-edged cynic tear up and cry like a little baby! The young actor who plays Elizabeth brings a genuine sweetness and pluckiness to her role. And the woman who plays the Maori elder is wise and noble but never succumbs to cliche. This is a family film that can wear such a badge with absolute distinction. It teaches without preaching or condescending. I cannot rave enough about this wonderful film!

The writer/director of the film was present for the screening. He described how it took him nearly 13 years to get the movie made, what with his chasing of financing as well as his dealings with studios that wanted him to compromise his script by moving the setting to America instead of its New Zealand locale. I can only hope that some of these same "industry types" who were so quick to dismiss the film were present for the Cleveland screening, where the audience erupted in thunderous cheers and applause at the end of the movie.

Keep a watchful eye out for this movie -- and pray that it gets the wide exposure it so dearly deserves!

I loved this movie - had a chance to see a local screening and was delighted all the way though to the unexpected ending. The movie is set and filmed in New Zealand and is about a little girl who worships Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953 just after her coronation. The girl sends dozens of letters to Buckingham Palace and is ridiculed for her fancy; however, when the queen makes her trip that year to New Zealand (the trip was real; the rest fiction), she adds the little girl's rural town to her itinerary.

The movie is about the events preceeding the Queen's visit, including serious problems because the girl has befriended an old Maori woman with a complicated past; bigotry, small town clans, colonialism, ignorance, and other injustices rear their ugly head along the way to some unexpected conclusions. The movie is very touching and sure to be a hit for kids and families of all ages, as the main themes are universal.