A Royal Affair
02 Jan 2013
Denmark, Sweden
2012
137 min
Director: Nikolaj Arcel
From the writers of the original ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ comes this period drama – based on fact – about 18th century Danish royalty. King Christian VII is mentally ill and so is incapable of performing his regal duties. A German doctor (Mads Mikkelsen) quickly becomes one of his closest advisors. Almost inevitably, he also ends up as lover to the King’s English wife.
Together the lovers manage to instigate much needed reforms to Danish society, but also make dangerous enemies in the court. An enjoyably literate script is delivered with gusto by a uniformly excellent cast, especially Mikkel Boe Falsgaard as the deranged king.