A Royal Affair
7.5
90%
73
7.3
A forbidden love affair at an eighteenth-century Danish court accelerates an Enlightenment reform movement before royal power turns against its architects.
Ember's analysis
- MoodSomber
- EnergyEnergetic
- PacingMeasured
- IntensityStrong
- ComplexityLayered
- ViolenceMild
More about the film
Overview
A forbidden romance unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous monarchy.
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a lavish, sumptuous costume drama supported by a compelling historical story and strong performances.
What sets it apart
- Caroline and Struensee's secret affair threatens the reform project carried out through Christian VII.
- Struensee uses the king's influence to introduce sweeping reforms opposed by conservative court interests.
- The film emphasizes royal interiors, period costumes, court ceremony, and the social hierarchy of eighteenth-century Denmark.
- Caroline's letter to her children provides a framing perspective for the remembered royal affair.
Films like A Royal Affair, and why
- The Duchessshared lavish period setting, forbidden romance, political upheaval, and tragic melodrama
- Elizabethshared historical romance, court intrigue, constrained women, and sumptuous costume design
- Belleshared Enlightenment-era politics, secret love, reformist idealism, and historical tragedy
- The Favouriteshared royal court setting, psychological instability, romantic betrayal, and oppressive power structures
Movie Details
- Director
- Nikolaj Arcel
- Release Date
- 2012-03-29
- Runtime
- 137 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (969)
Common questions
- What is A Royal Affair about?
- A forbidden love affair at an eighteenth-century Danish court accelerates an Enlightenment reform movement before royal power turns against its architects.
- What is A Royal Affair like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Royal Affair as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Royal Affair violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in A Royal Affair as mild.
- What did critics think of A Royal Affair?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a lavish, sumptuous costume drama supported by a compelling historical story and strong performances.
- Which films are like A Royal Affair?
- Films with a similar feel include The Duchess, Elizabeth, Belle, and The Favourite.
- How long is A Royal Affair?
- A Royal Affair runs 137 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Royal Affair?
- In United States, A Royal Affair streams on Philo, Kanopy, Hoopla, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
Cast
- Nikolaj ArcelDirector
- Alicia VikanderCaroline Mathilde
- Mads MikkelsenJohann Friedrich Struensee
- Mikkel Boe FølsgaardChristian VII
- Trine DyrholmJuliane Marie
- David DencikOve Høegh-Guldberg
- Thomas W. GabrielssonSchack Carl Rantzau
- Cyron MelvilleEnevold Brandt
- Bent MejdingJ. H. E. Bernstoff
- Harriet WalterAugusta - Prinsesse af Wales
- Laura BroLouise von Plessen
