"Every Fairy Tale Ends"
It is not the first time that the Chilean Pablo Larraín has made a biographical film, and it is not the first time that one of his biographical films has failed. The problem with Spencer is that, despite brilliantly casting an ever-troubled Kristen Stewart to portray the grieving Diana in one of the most difficult weeks, Steven Knight's script never quite manages to establish the plot. We have the setting, we have the characters, we have the moment, but there is no story that draws us into the movie and keeps us enthralled as the minutes go by. The most disappointing thing is that all the other elements are fine. The performances are good, the costume design by seven-time Oscar nominee Jacqueline Durran is terrific, the production design is adequate, and the soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood is terrific with its overtones of maddened jazz at the most emotionally charged moments. It is a pity that all of the above has not been taken advantage of to deliver a captivating film.