A ROYAL NIGHT OUT (Julian Jarrold). 96 minutes. Opens Friday (December 4). See listings. Rating: NNN
Young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were allowed to leave Buckingham Palace to celebrate VE Day incognito among the crowds. A Royal Night Out spins that bit of WWII history into a fanciful, Roman Holiday-like screwball comedy featuring enough giddy romance and fawning over the royals to be a treat for Hello! Magazine subscribers.
Toronto’s own Sarah Gadon stars as Elizabeth in this reverse Cinderella tale. The princess dresses down (fancy gown but no tiara) to party on the concrete, finding her Prince Charming in an AWOL soldier (Jack Reynor) whose war-related trauma stirs her affections. He helps Elizabeth track down her little sister, Margaret (Bel Powley), who pinballs around town between various parties and a brothel.
There’s nothing here to make the monarchy blush, especially since director Julian Jarrold keeps things fizzing along without ever trying to convince you that these amusements are anything but a fairy tale.
The two leads help the film maintain the enchantment. Gadon plays Elizabeth as perfectly mannered but brimming with life. She could have coasted on her porcelain looks and ballerina posture alone, since the role is a bit thin for her talents. Meanwhile, Powley has all the fun as the live wire Margaret, spicing up obvious gags with her intoxicating spunk.
