We have already taken a closer look and heaped praise on a Judi Dench project for BBC Films... and now we are going to look at another in the shape of the fantastic Mrs Brown.
Mrs Brown
Mrs Brown was released back in 1997 and remains one of Dench's greatest performances as she played Queen Victoria who is struggling after the death of her husband Albert - resulting in her disappearing from public life.
It is loyal servant John Brown who starts lifting her spirits and helps her enjoy life again. Mrs Brown is a story of dealing with grief and friendship as John becomes the Queen's protector and confidante. But their close relationship results in rumours of a relationship between the Queen and her servant... resulting in painful choices for both.
Mrs Brown saw John Madden in the director's chair in what was to be his first collaboration with Dench; they have worked together since on Shakespeare in Love, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Judi Dench has delivered some great performances during her career but, for me, Mrs Brown remains up there with her very best - if now the best. I don't know about you, but I think that she should have won the Best Actress Oscar for this performance - she missed out to Helen Hunt for As Good As It Gets.
This is perhaps not the chapter of Queen Victoria's history that we know that much about but the detail with which Madden has explored this relationship really is compelling.
Dench is just terrific as the grief-stricken Queen who is lost and in the depths of despair after the loss of her husband. Her pain and her anguish pour onto the screen in the early scenes and Dench takes this historical figure on a terrific emotional journey.
The character of John Brown couldn't be more different as he is a man who is full of life and believes it should be lived to the full no matter what we are going through. This character's humour comes from the fact he doesn't stand on ceremony when in the presence of Victoria and is not afraid to speak to her any way he likes and however he likes. It is a terrific performance from Billy Connolly as he showed that he could be so much more than just a funny man.
Their blossoming relationship is an engrossing story and is a touching movie about friendship. However, the end of the film is a slap in the face as Victoria is forced to choose between love/happiness and duty - it really will break your heart and Dench and Connolly play it so perfectly.
Mrs Brown was a big critical hit when it was released in 1997. It was a film that was only supposed to get a small release, but when it was acquired by Miramax enjoyed a larger success that anyone ever anticipated.
The movie went on to be nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress and Best Makeup. Dench went on to win Best Actress at the Golden Globes and at the Baftas for her terrific central performance.
Tagged in BBC Billy Connolly Dame Judi Dench