Tony Blair has praised Dame Helen Mirren for her award winning performance as the Queen. Mirren won Best Actress at the Oscars, held annually in Los Angeles, for her leading role.
Stephen Frear's 'The Queen' was nominated for no less than six awards that night, but Dame Helen Mirren took the spotlight, winning the only award. This was quite a feat since she was up against the likes of fellow actresses Dame Judi Dench and Kate Winslet. The award was received with true humility as she paid homage to her fellow nominees and the Queen herself. "She has weathered many, many storms. And I salute her courage and her consistency and I thank her because if it wasn't for her I most certainly would not be here." As a dramatic climax to her acceptance speech she paid tribute to Her Majesty, "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Queen."
Mirren's achievement brought a fervant, patriotic atmosphere to the night; a stolen Union Jack held in her hands as she graced the red carpet.
The film has attracted a lot of attention for its portrayal of the death of Diana Princess of Wales, as a sensitive time in British history, which although considered fairly controversial was hugely successful. Screenwriter Peter Morgan hasn't claimed to have achieved total accuracy, simply seeking "truthfulness". This approach and Mirren's acting has certainly won the approval of the Queen, as she has invited Dame Helen Mirren, Peter Morgan and Stephen Frears to her home at Buckingham Palace.