

Movie spotlight
Diana
A young transgender woman rejected by her family in India, lives alone in London, working as a prostitute to pay for hormone therapy. Aleem Khan’s remarkable short film is set in 1997 in the wake of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales – whose loneliness and isolation our protagonist can identify with only too well. On this extraordinary day, she prepares to set herself free.
Insights
Plot Summary
This film chronicles the final two years of the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, focusing on her secret love affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. It explores the intense media scrutiny she endured and her efforts to live a more private life away from the public eye.
Critical Reception
Diana received largely negative reviews from critics, who criticized its script, pacing, and the performances, particularly Naomi Watts' portrayal of the Princess. Audiences also showed little enthusiasm, contributing to its poor box office performance.
What Reviewers Say
The film struggles to capture the essence of its subject, often feeling superficial and poorly researched.
Naomi Watts' performance, while attempting a likeness, is widely considered to be unconvincing and lacking depth.
The narrative focuses too heavily on the romance, overshadowing other significant aspects of Diana's life and legacy.
Google audience: Audience reviews are mixed, with some appreciating the attempt to tell Diana's story and the romantic elements, while many others felt the film was disappointing, melodramatic, and failed to do justice to the beloved Princess.
Fun Fact
Naomi Watts revealed that she found it incredibly difficult to step into the role of Princess Diana, stating that she felt a great sense of responsibility and pressure due to Diana's iconic status and the public's affection for her.
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