Spencer Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Spencer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 5, 2022

“Spencer” is not a bio-pic of Diana, Princess of Wales. It’s a chamber piece about the haunted woman, offering more of a psychological profile than a tour of exact details concerning her personal history. The feature is directed by Pablo Larrain, who attempted a similar study of unimaginable stress brewing inside a delicate mind with 2016’s “Jackie,” seemingly drawn to these types of cinematic inspections. “Jackie” was a hypnotic, funereal viewing experience, while “Spencer” aims to be more abstract and artful, with Larrain intentionally getting away from expectations during his examination of Diana’s fragile state of panic. Larrain aims to get inside Diana’s head and remain there for two hours, which is good for some striking images of struggle, but the picture isn’t exactly satisfying, with its addiction to elusiveness throttling dramatic potential.

It’s December 1991, and the Royal Family is gathering for a Christmas celebration at Queen Elizabeth’s (Stella Gonet) Sandringham Estate. While Charles (Jack Farthing) gears up to play the part of a prince, his wife, Diana (Kristen Stewart), has lost the energy to keep up appearances. Suffocating in her role as the Princess of Wales, Diana longs for her freedom, unable to keep troubling thoughts out of her head, also treasuring time with her confidant and personal dresser, Maggie (Sally Hawkins). Struggling to participate in the traditions of the holidays, Diana clings to the youthful energy of her sons, William (Jack Nielen) and Harry (Freddie Spry), but the pressures of being in the public eye are proving to be disastrous to her mental health, leaving her a wreck during a time of extreme observation. Fighting the pressure of photographers and the Queen’s orders, Diana threatens to succumb to the demands of her role, dreaming of a day when she can feel like herself again.

“A Fable from a True Legacy” reads the opening card of “Spencer,” establishing that Larrain and screenwriter Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises,” “The Girl in the Spider’s Web”) aren’t going to pay attention to any factual account of Diana’s holiday time. They prefer to remain in a state of disorientation with the subject, who we meet on the open road, driving herself to Sandringham, getting lost in the process. It’s improbable that Diana couldn’t find her way to the estate, with the confusion offering the young woman a moment of solitude, away from royal guards and drivers, also putting her back in touch with her childhood home, which is located on the massive property. It’s this proximity to all that was pure and innocent that rattles Diana the most. “Spencer” uses that anxiety to launch a fictional inspection of a prolonged nervous breakdown as the princess is reunited with a family that’s happy to use her as a prop for publicity, with deep feelings verboten around Queen Elizabeth and her team, including Equerry Major Alistair (Timothy Spall), who maintains order in the house.

“Spencer” stays directly on Diana as she twists and turns, trying to work up the courage to be herself while trapped in the royal machine. Larrain adds a jazzy score to add some aural agitation to the situation, and Stewart goes about as far as she can as an actress in the part, with fussy mannerisms and accent work creating a Diana about to burst at the seams. Knight plants his flag in Diana’s depression, exploring a side of her that deals poorly with confrontation as she fears her royal captors, claiming some form of control through an eating disorder and acts of self-harm. Diana has an outlet in Maggie, who provides a soothing presence, but this relief doesn’t last for long, forced to deal with the duality of her private and public life, facing predatory photographers and the punishing weight of her title, which demands she bend to tradition, treated as “currency” for the family. Darkness is constant in “Spencer,” but Larrain makes it clear that Diana’s time with her children immediately brightens her spirit, along with a secret trip to her childhood home, which reminds her of the spark she once possessed.

Spencer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

There's inherent softness to the AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Spencer," but encoding issues are present during the viewing experience. Fine detail doesn't have a distinct presence outside of the basics in texture and depth, and blockiness is periodic. Colors favor a warmer, buttery appearance, with sunlit glow and clear greenery. Interiors are a bit colder, but gaming tables and paintings bring out decent primaries. Fashion choices are equally distinct. Skintones are natural.

Spencer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is largely a frontal affair, favoring dialogue exchanges. Juggling accents and hushed confessions, performances come through with clarity, capturing delicate emotionality. Scoring cues are supportive with crisp orchestral instrumentation, including sharp strings. And there's a jazz element to the music, which also registers cleanly. Surrounds are modest at best, dealing with scoring expanse and some atmospherics as characters move around Sandringham Estate and work their way outside. Low-end isn't challenged, with only a mild response to more active movement.

Spencer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Making Of (7:58, HD) is a brief summation of the production experience, featuring interviews with director Pablo Larrain, hair and makeup designer Wakana Yoshihara, producer Paul Webster, production designer Guy Hendrix-Dyas, and actors Kristen Stewart, Jack Farthing, and Timothy Spall. Responding to Steven Knight's screenplay, the picture quickly came together, and Larrain's process is celebrated, with his semi- improvisational style adding surprise to the endeavor. The casting of Stewart is highlighted, giving her the challenge of mastering Diana's specific accent. Analysis of Diana is also provided by the interviewees, and they delve into the themes of "Spencer." Some BTS footage is provided.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:18, HD) is included.

Spencer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Spencer" doesn't take it easy on the royal family, though Knight clarifies their coldness, stopping just short of turning them into villains. He also goes deep into Diana's melted mind, with the princess growing obsessed with the story of Anne Boleyn, feeling a kinship with the beheaded queen. Larrain does his own work to visualize a wandering spirit, offering long takes of Diana walking around the property, trying to keep ahead of her problems. However, the helmer doesn't take the picture to an operatic level, which seems to be the most appropriate approach to the story, favoring the chest- heaving agony of life and love. "Spencer" spins its wheels one too many times, getting a little lost in the sad ballet the production hopes to create. There's a poignant ending waiting for viewers, but the journey there isn't quite as profound as it initially appears to be.