A Royal Affair
A Royal Affair

Movie spotlight

A Royal Affair

2012
Movie
137 min
Danish

A young queen falls in love with her physician, and they start a revolution that changes their nation forever.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes87%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users83%
Director: Nikolaj ArcelGenres: Drama, Romance, History

Plot Summary

In 18th-century Denmark, a young queen, Caroline, marries an older, mentally unstable king, Christian VII. Feeling isolated and unfulfilled, she begins a passionate affair with Johann Friedrich Struensee, the king's progressive physician and advisor. Their romance and Struensee's growing influence over the king ignite a dangerous power struggle with the aristocracy, threatening their lives and the future of Denmark.

Critical Reception

A Royal Affair was widely acclaimed by critics for its stunning visuals, strong performances, and compelling historical narrative. The film was praised for its intricate portrayal of courtly intrigue and the doomed romance at its center. Audiences appreciated its emotional depth and faithful depiction of a turbulent period in Danish history.

What Reviewers Say

  • Lavishly produced and beautifully acted, particularly by Alicia Vikander.

  • A compelling and dramatic look at historical power struggles and forbidden love.

  • The film successfully balances historical accuracy with engaging character development.

Google audience: Viewers found the film to be a visually impressive and emotionally resonant historical drama. Many praised the performances and the engaging storyline, noting its ability to capture the complexities of the era and the central relationships.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Won two Silver Bears at the Berlin International Film Festival, including Best Screenplay and Best Actor for Mikkel Boe Følsgaard.

Fun Fact

Alicia Vikander, who plays Queen Caroline Matilda, was only 23 years old during filming, while the real Queen Caroline Matilda was just 15 when she married King Christian VII.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

In feudal Denmark in the 18th century, the nation was very much divided between the gentry and a working citizenry of glorified serfs. Despite some free thinking from other European nations beginning to permeate their political classes, not...

r96sk

r96sk

<em>'A Royal Affair'</em> is an excellent film. I enjoyed it all, every bit, but the ending is what sold it for me - great conclusion, which didn't do the predictable wrap up that I was expecting it to do. Despite running for over two ho...

badelf

badelf

Based on a true story, this is a phenomenal period piece with first-class photography, directing and acting. You can't ask much more of any film. Pure, historical entertainment.