Hail to the Queen's Man

Helen Mirren is undeniably great as Elizabeth II in "The Queen," which opens in L.A. theaters today.
But Michael Sheen is every bit her equal as the film's Tony Blair. Newly elected at the time of Princess Diana's death, Blair knew exactly how to play the public's outpouring of grief to his political advantage. The film depicts the media savvy new prime minister's efforts to convince the clueless royals to do something, anything, to simulate concern over the former in-law they all hated - even though Blair had very little personal respect for the monarch and her family.
Sheen, who played Blair earlier in a TV movie by "Queen" director Stephen Frears, shows us a brilliant politician who knows that he, at least, is fully in charge of an extraordinary situation. But as Blair grows more and more frustrated with the unmovable Elizabeth, Sheen also slowly reveals how impressed the p.m. becomes with her resolve and ownership of her power.
Subtly but unmistakably, Sheen charts how such a smart, charismatic and initially independent leader may have started down the road that eventually led to him being perceived as President Bush's puppet. Plus, he comes off as the most regular guy who's ever lived at 10 Downing Street.
Everyone who is saying Mirren is the best female lead of the year is right. But they should all be saying the same thing about Sheen as male lead.