Movies News

Mirren's Queen set for Oscar

Dec 13, 2006, 13:10 GMT

'The Queen' has been tipped for Oscar success. Helen Mirren - © Scott Alan / Photorazzi

Helen Mirren - © Scott Alan / PhotorazziVeteran actress Helen Mirren, who plays Britain's Queen Elizabeth in Stephen Frears' hit film, has become one of the favourites to win the Best Actress Academy Award next year.In recent weeks, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics, the New York Film Critics Circle, the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, the Washington D.C. Society of Film Critics and the National Board of Review have all praised Mirren's performance.While they are not directly linked to the Oscars, they usually offer an accurate insight into who will be walking away with an Academy Award.'The Queen' focuses on how the British Royal Family and British Prime Minister Tony Blair coped after the death of Princess Diana in 1997.The fictional film, based on information collected shortly after Diana's death, alleges the queen was so shocked by the public's anger towards the royal family's refusal to hold a public funeral that she thought about stepping down. Mirren has previously admitted she was worried what the queen would think about her portrayal of her.She said: "I hope she sees my performance as heartfelt and honest. Whatever she thinks of the film as a whole, I hope she can see I did my best for her."The Oscars will be held on February 25.(C) BANG Media International