A Royal Affair

Name: A Royal Affair
Genre: Drama, History, Romance
Released: November 9, 2012
Duration: 137 min
Rating: 73

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: November 9, 2012 | R

Summary: A Royal Affair is the true story of an ordinary man who wins the queen's heart and starts a revolution. Centering on the intriguing love triangle between the ever more insane Danish King Christian VII (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard), the royal physician who is a man of enlightenment and idealism Struensee and the young but strong Queen CarolineA Royal Affair is the true story of an ordinary man who wins the queen's heart and starts a revolution. Centering on the intriguing love triangle between the ever more insane Danish King Christian VII (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard), the royal physician who is a man of enlightenment and idealism Struensee and the young but strong Queen Caroline Mathilda, A Royal Affair is the gripping tale of brave idealists who risk everything in their pursuit of freedom for their people… Above all it is the story of a passionate and forbidden romance that changed an entire nation. (Magnolia Pictures)… Expand

Director: Nikolaj Arcel

Genre(s): Drama, History, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 137 min

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Critic Reviews

Joe Morgenstern

Nov 8, 2012

With its sumptuous settings, urgent romance and intellectual substance, A Royal Affair is a mind-opener crossed with a bodice-ripper. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Nov 29, 2012

Takes a fascinating chapter in Danish history, little-known to general audiences, and presents it engagingly. Read full review

Ella Taylor

Nov 8, 2012

While it's lavish and lush in all the expected costume-drama ways, A Royal Affair never bogs down in period detail. What drives the film, along with great acting, is the appetite of director Nikolaj Arcel and his boisterous co-writer Rasmus Heisterberg ("I want a fun queen!" wails Christian) for the queasy workings of political gamesmanship both above and below board. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Nov 16, 2012

But even appreciated simply as a little-known chapter of European history, it proves consistently engrossing, edifying and affecting. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Jan 30, 2013

A Royal Affair...is a lovely history lesson, but a film without the spark of invention that makes this modern parable feel modern. Read full review

Kimberley Jones

Dec 5, 2012

It is certainly competent, lovely to look at, but leaves little lasting impression. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Nov 6, 2012

Intrigue and eroticism abound, all of it watchable, none of it particularly exciting. And the misty widescreen photography lends the proceedings a funereal air of respectability that's like catnip to Oscar voters. Read full review

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User Reviews

foxgrove

Dec 11, 2012

A Royal Affair is quite simply the best historical costume drama that I have seen for years. This is what one hopes for every time from this type of film and all to often what one gets is the debacle of something like 'The Affair of the necklace'. An unknown (to myself) period of historyA Royal Affair is quite simply the best historical costume drama that I have seen for years. This is what one hopes for every time from this type of film and all to often what one gets is the debacle of something like 'The Affair of the necklace'. An unknown (to myself) period of history comes to life in the three areas that matter in a film like this. The acing of the three leads is fantastic with special praise going to Mikkel Boe Folsgaard as the king on the edge of sanity. His performance in a supporting role is the best of this year. The design and costumes are truly beautiful, and last but by no means least the writing where most films of this ilk fall down badly. Not here, however. The story is propelled onwards and upwards by intelligent dialogue delivered with expert precision by the entire cast. At the moment it seems to me that the Danes have cornered the market in quality entertainment, not only in film, but also on tv where their output is also of an extremely high standard of late (Borgen; The Killing; The Bridge to name a few). See A Royal Affair at all costs as it is a gem of a film that has almost slipped by un noticed due to its minuscule release. If you like well acted and beautifully written period dramas about royalty you won't be disappointed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

spencie

Mar 15, 2018

A spectacular costume drama with fantastic performances and beautiful cinematography. A Royal Affair is sexy as hell and actually quite romantic, I love the characters and the story was always interesting. This is probably one of the best foreign language movies I've seen!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cowfeet

Nov 13, 2012

Near perfection. A historical romance/drama (maybe even a twisted coming of age tale) that never seems laughable or dull. Each of the main characters are complex and given their fair portrayals. Every motivation seems remarkably human and understandable, even if cringe-worthy. It did feel aNear perfection. A historical romance/drama (maybe even a twisted coming of age tale) that never seems laughable or dull. Each of the main characters are complex and given their fair portrayals. Every motivation seems remarkably human and understandable, even if cringe-worthy. It did feel a little long, but that was its only flaw. Beautifully shot, acted, edited, scored, everything.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Paganostaghetti

Nov 9, 2012

The age of enlightenment is a milestone in history that has resulted in the world we live in now. Before, religion and state had overbearing control over what was seen by their citizens, and any inkling of free thought could result in a quick trip to the guillotine. Then a new era wasThe age of enlightenment is a milestone in history that has resulted in the world we live in now. Before, religion and state had overbearing control over what was seen by their citizens, and any inkling of free thought could result in a quick trip to the guillotine. Then a new era was ushered in, where books became more valuable than almost anything else. Information could be freely sought and learning to question authorities was encouraged. Yet, in some countries, this was (and still is) a discouraged notion. It took many nations years before the age of enlightenment could become mainstay, albeit to much hesitation. A Royal Affair is a portrait of this time, showing Denmark… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nutterjr

Mar 9, 2013

A European film which does not lack the luster of the Hollywood films, but however still intelligent and substantial. This film takes a fascinating chapter in Danish history, little-known to general public, and presents it engagingly. The direction, acting and production are all top notchA European film which does not lack the luster of the Hollywood films, but however still intelligent and substantial. This film takes a fascinating chapter in Danish history, little-known to general public, and presents it engagingly. The direction, acting and production are all top notch and worthy of the Oscar nod from the American Academy.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Feb 23, 2018

Based on true events, this film depicts the life and marriage of the Danish King Christian VII with the British princess Carolina Matilde, and her love affair with the court physician Dr. Struensee. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, this European film, Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film,Based on true events, this film depicts the life and marriage of the Danish King Christian VII with the British princess Carolina Matilde, and her love affair with the court physician Dr. Struensee. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, this European film, Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, has a screenplay by Rasmus Heisterberg and Nikolaj Arcel. The cast is headed by Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard.

Royal weddings have always been source of controversy throughout history, mixing romance with politics or, most often, completely excluding love and giving rise to numerous extramarital affairs with the children that resulted from them. This is one of those cases, fueled by the youth of a dreamy Queen and the revulsion that she developed by her husband, a mad king endowed with an obscene and repulsive behavior. The actors fulfilled their roles well, but Alicia Vikander stood out throughout the film, managing to impress the audience with the dreams and illusions of her character, in a route towards a tragic destiny. Mikkel Boe Følsgaard also shone in the king's role, showing us, thanks to a superb interpretation, not only a mad king but a very sick and troubled man, torn between his uncontrollable appetites and his duties as absolute monarch, innocent as he cannot control himself. Mads Mikkelsen also did an excellent job, but was less convincing in his role. His Struensee seems more interested in changing the country's laws than to live a romance with the Queen. The way the actor thought his character suffers from lack of passion and romance in the way he counter-acts with Vikander. It seems that Struensee also sleeps with the Queen for convenience, not for having in love with her.

The scenarios are excellent and can perfectly acclimatize history in the country and the palace. The use of computerized effects to show, early in the film, the arrival of the Princess's ship to the Danish harbor, is the scene that mostly disengages from the rest of the film. It simply odds with everything else and it would be preferable to represent this moment in another way. The soundtrack complied well with its role, and the sad melodies that fill the film are truly remarkable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CameraBounceGod

Feb 21, 2015

oh look at that ..a perfect 10 looking out at all the poor.....reminds me of television as a whole....we strive to be attractive and fit although you can't just make yourself attractive so its pretty messed up..oh look at that...a girl with multiple choices for a mate....how fun

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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