“A Royal Affair” takes place in 1768 when things were rotten in Denmark and people weren’t who they seemed.
Christian VII of Denmark (Mikkel Følsgaard) is King, but in name only; a mere figurehead. His focus is on his beloved dog, large-breasted prostitutes and alcohol. Disillusioned and neglected, his wife, English-born Queen Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander), falls into the hunky arms of the King’s royal physician, German Count Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen). Ooh, it’s a delicious hot mess.
The camera zooms in on Swedish actress Vikander’s milky skin and expressive face. Your heart breaks with hers when she leaves England, filled with excitement and dreams of her future as a Queen. She’s a mere 15 when her hopes are crushed upon meeting her betrothed, the cruel and debauched King.
Danish actor Følsgaard, who plays the infantile and ineffective King, won the 2011 Silver Bear for Best Actor while still attending theater school. His award-worthy performance as the complex King is brilliantly multi-layered.
Born in Copenhagen and son of a cab driver, Danish superstar Mikkelsen made his film debut in the original “Pusher.” Other credits include “Pusher II,” “Clash of the Titans” and “Casino Royale.” He is set to star alongside Harvey Keitel in the slated for 2013 remake of “Cut Throats Nine.”
The Danish Court wants him out of their hair. They hire a “babysitter” in the form of personal physician, Struensee. What the Council never expected was Struensee’s ability to befriend Christian, earn his trust and win over his power of attorney to create reform. Struensee, like Robin Hood, had the best of intentions.
Struensee reformed laws to help the poor by establishing free medical care. He abolished capital punishment and torture. He uncensored the press. During this time, the Queen fell for him. She shared his progressive social ideals.
Initially, Struensee worked to help the royal couple mend their marriage. The Queen fulfilled her wifely duty and produced an heir. When the little prince falls ill and Struensee saves him with a vaccine, the Queen’s gratitude turns to passion and their ill-fated romance begins. The Queen learns what love is. Struensee is a happy man—for a while.
The costumes and castles sweep you away as you root for Struensee and the Queen’s passion and societal causes. Evil Queen Dowager makes it her mission to destroy Struensee. She outs the affair to the King who crumbles under the betrayal and public humiliation.
Sympathies shift and who to root for becomes blurred. The conflict and suspense are nothing short of Shakespearean. But fear not, you ain’t heard the half of it yet.
Directed by Dane Nikolaj Arcel (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), “A Royal Affair” is this year’s Danish entry for Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. The screenplay was written by Rasmus Heisterberg (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), and is based on the historic novel by Bodil Steensen-Leth.
Rated R. 137 minutes. “A Royal Affair” opens in New York City this Friday, November 9, 2012.