Elizabeth: A Portrait in Part(s)

It’s an interesting juxtaposition of the Queen as a woman, as a girl, as a monarch, at work, at play, in love. For anyone who grew up with the more matronly era of the Queen, images of her as a vivacious, playful, beautiful young woman are fascinating.

A remarkable film about a remarkable life, from a remarkable director.

It is first and foremost a picture of her, but it is also a picture of us; and just as Jennings did in his wartime documentaries, it reminds us not just of her profound decency but also, oddly enough, of ours.

Couched in fondness and gentle irreverence, his impressionistic archive footage documentary offers whimsical reflections on a lifetime of duty and service.

Although it may not bring revelations, there’s an informality and intimacy to this portrait that is unexpectedly pleasing.

The film – like its subject – lets the pomp and circumstance do the talking.

Sad to say, it goes down like a cup of tepid, milky and over-sugared tea.