A Royal Night Out (2015) Reviews

• Very entertaining

  cammic2015-05-13

  This is not a documentary so don't expect it to be accurate or even the slightest bit true. It is based very loosely around Princess Elizabeth and Margaret going out into the crowds at Buckingham Palace on the night peace was declared (VE Day)....that's where the similarity stops. Rupert Everett as the King is such a bad choice, but again, it's not meant to be taken seriously. I liked the character portrayed as Princess Margaret and also the Queen Mother... they are likable and funny. The whole story is quite well written and very funny in places...as long as you don't take it too seriously and try to work out fact from fiction. All in all I thought it was very entertaining.....

• An enjoyable film painstakingly and lovingly realised. Highly recommended.

  geoffgee2015-05-20

  I'd been looking forward to A Royal Night Out's release since first seeing the trailer a few weeks ago. Now, after seeing the film, I'm happy to report that I wasn't disappointed. The action begins slowly, but once the royal sisters become enmeshed in London's VE night revelries I found myself being carried along by events in ways that were at times funny, at times exciting, at times emotionally moving - even at times with feelings of national pride - but always with interest and anticipation. One 'bonus' I hadn't expected was that the story would also feature elements of a very touching love story. This latter, for me, endowed the story with a certain 'fairy tale' quality. (But it is a film of fiction ... so, why not??) The three leads - Elisabeth, Margaret and Jack - are all excellent. Supporting actors and actresses of the cast provide additional variety and entertainment and play their parts with apparent enthusiasm. A lot of work obviously went into recreating the crowd, traffic and London scenes of 1945 and clothing styles seemed authentic to me. All in all a worthwhile undertaking painstakingly and lovingly realised. Go see this film. My bet is you'll be glad you did. Highly recommended. 8/10.

• A jolly jape....what fun

  Figgy66-915-5984702015-05-16

  16 May 2015 Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - A Royal Night Out. On 8 May 1945 all of Britain was celebration Victory in Europe and behind the doors of Buckingham Palace two daughters were asking their parents if they might be allowed to join in. The two daughters were Princess Elizabeth, heir to the Throne and her sister Princess Margaret. This store is rumoured to be based partly on fact and I would very much like to have heard it was all true. With Rupert Everett starring as King George and Emily Watson playing his wife Queen Elizabeth this film is a rather jolly jape depicting what could have happened if the two princesses had been allowed out on the town for the whole night. Everett and Watson were uncanny as the King and Queen, and the girls bore more than a little resemblance to the Princesses ....although costume, deportment and hairstyle helped enormously. The plot was a little like I imagine that day to be, uproariously out of control but most joyful. My favourite line in the whole film was when Lilibet was asking Jack the airman to assist her to make the most of 'an opportunity to be ordinary on the most extraordinary day of her life'. I wonder if the Queen has seen this and if so, was she a little wistful.

• A likable fiction

  neil-4762015-05-22

  It is VE Day, and Britain is celebrating, with much partying in the streets. The two young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret see an opportunity to go out and party with everybody else, a once in a lifetime opportunity, never to be repeated. With the King's permission, and against the better judgement of their mother, out they go with two young army officers as chaperones. And then they lose their escorts... and get separated... It is true that the two princesses did go out on the night of VE Day, but this film is not so much what happened, but more what could have happened but almost certainly didn't, particularly given that the longer it goes on, the less likely it becomes. For all that, it is good fun. Think The Hangover, reimagined in 1945 London with two rather naive and unworldly young women, one rather prim and the other up for pretty nearly anything. The period feel is effective (albeit you sometimes have the feeling that, had the camera pulled back another few feet, present day would have intruded rather rudely). The girls playing the fictionalised princesses are both excellent, with Sarah Gadon having a distinct look of the young Princess Elizabeth about her. Bel Powley lets us see the Margaret who grew up to be fond of a drink or two (and other pleasures) but who, at this point, is simply innocent but keen to explore. And there were times when, as a Brit, I found it very moving. Ultimately, it's a bit of fluff, but it's a very enjoyable one.

• A Pleasurable Historical Fantasy

  atlasmb2017-03-08

  This period piece is about one magical night in the lives of Princesses Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and Margaret (Bel Powley). It is a fantasy that really captures the imagination. The two royals surely must have been overly protected--from danger, from scandal, from their own teenage whims. But "A Royal Night Out" imagines an adventure on VE Day, when all of London was celebrating and the girls might have yearned to be common enough to join in. The era is certainly captured by costumes, manners and scenery, allowing the viewer to indulge freely in the illusion. The two young women are delightful. And the general tone of the scenes carries the emotions along, feeling exactly like the overwhelming release that came with victory after years of sacrifice, fear, and stiff upper lips. The scene when the king appears at Buckingham Palace is stirring. Recommended for history buffs, fans of period pieces and those who might find romance in a childish fantasy that--though it is only about one night--is also a coming of age story. I saw this film before its general release with no knowledge of its subject, and I was pleasantly surprised.