A Royal Affair

Given that most Americans are relatively unfamiliar with Scandinavian history, the name Johann Friedrich Struensee may not ring a bell. But the Danes credit this idealistic 18th-century German physician for bringing the Enlightenment to their country. In 1766, naïve 15-year-old British princess Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander)—a sister of King George III—is betrothed to her cousin, the King of Denmark. When she arrives in Copenhagen, Caroline discovers to her dismay that His Majesty Christian VII (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) is an infantile idiot. The tortuous tedium of palace life is only relieved when ambitious, intelligent Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen) is recruited by the nobility to accompany Caroline's volatile, mentally unbalanced husband on a European tour. Returning to the Danish court as royal doctor, tutor, and advisor, Struensee introduces a set of radical sociopolitical reforms, including inoculation against smallpox, and the repeal of censorship, which infuriates the elitist, faith-based ruling council. Struensee also indulges in a dangerous extramarital relationship with the Queen, a treasonous betrayal that doesn't escape the notice of scheming Dowager Queen Juliane (Trine Dyrholm). Based on historical fact, filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel's Oscar-nominated A Royal Affair boasts wonderfully naturalistic performances and sumptuous cinematography that elevate it well above the usual costume drama. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include interviews with director Nikolaj Arcel and costars Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander (33 min.), a “Portraits and Biographies” section on the real-life 18th-century subjects who inspired the film, a text “Royal Family Tree,” and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Oscar-nominated film.] (S. Granger)