'A Royal Night Out' - Movie Review

On the final day of the Second World War in Europe, the princesses Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) and Margaret (Bel Powley) are allowed to join the celebrations outside the palace. They slip their chaperones, and have a wild night on the town - Margaret being misled by the man she's with, Elizabeth getting assistance to find her sister from a reluctant airman. There's not a lot more to it, but it's both incredibly charming and incredibly funny. Gadon is pretty much perfect as a princess who has never before been free, but yet knows her responsibilities and what's required of her. And it was as I was admiring her marvelous performance that I realized I was watching "Roman Holiday" - throw in a wayward sister and shoot it in colour in London, it's almost the same film. And - amazingly - it has damn nearly as much grace and charm. A very fine film indeed.