Director: Julian Jarrold
Cast: Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Jack Reynor, Rupert Everett, Emily Watson
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 97 minutes
8th May 1945 – the Second World War is declared as won. The public take to the streets to celebrate, with both the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret allowed out to join in. But what does director Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane) think could’ve gone on that night…
Sarah Gadon (Maps To The Stars) and Bel Powley (The Diary Of A Teenage Girl) star as Elizabeth and Margaret, the rambunctious daughters of the King and Queen of England. Determined to join in with the fun, Margaret manages to coerce her older sister into persuading their parents to let them out for in the night incognito, telling their father that they’d be able to gather an honest opinion from the public of what they think of his celebration speech.
However, as soon as they leave the palace gates all hell breaks loose. Elizabeth and Margaret become separated for most of the night, with the former trying to locate the latter through the help of attractive Naval Officer Jack (Reynor – Glassland (see, you’re so much better than this!)). With the pair working against the clock, will they find her before the 1am deadline?
With the narrative loosely based on ‘true events’ A Royal Night out is onto a bad start already. With many viewers already aware that the Princesses were accompanied by their nannies and chaperons all night, trying to get your head around what happens during the 97 minute running time is difficult. From openly boozing to coming into contact with a traditional East End gangster, the girls wind up in the most outrageous situations, so unbelievable they prevent the film from being enjoyable. Plus, with both girls portrayed as mindless ninnies (with Margaret not understanding what a ‘working girl’ is), neither of them are particularly relatable either.
The few redeeming features of the film include the atmosphere that’s created (hundreds of extras in classic costumes, lots of establishing and wide-angle shots making the audience feel included in the scenes), the music (traditional, Big Band style), and Powley as Margaret. As she knows full well (and states several times) she’s the princess that nobody really cares about, and desperate as she is to live a normal life she takes full advantage of her one night of freedom. Loud, brash and ditzy, Powley‘s portrayal of Margaret is worth sticking with the film for.
Enjoyable enough if you’re able to suspend your disbelief, A Royal Night Out‘s stilted dialogue, over-the-top plot and lacklustre, predictable ending leave little to be desired. Maybe make the effort just to see Powley/Margaret make a fool of herself.
A Royal Night Out is released on DVD and Blu-ray from 7th September.
