With the press following her every move after her separation from Prince Charles, Diana (Naomi Watts) is desperate to carve out her own identity. While visiting a friend in the hospital, Diana meets Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews). Pleased that he doesn’t treat her like a Princess, Diana is smitten. A private, dedicated doctor, Khan is overwhelmed by the pursuing Diana. He is interested in Jazz, so she immerses herself in the genre, determined to impress. Even though Khan is conflicted about having a relationship with such a public person, he eventually gives into his feeling and the two begin an affair.
Even as he continues to struggle with managing the uniqueness of their relationship, Khan looks on with pride as Diana travels around the world on behalf of various charities including the elimination of landmines. She is pleased when he calls to offer her occasional words of advice and encouragement. As the two try to make their relationship work, Khan’s Pakistani background becomes a potential roadblock for any long term commitment. When the press finds out about their relationship, Khan panics, and backs off. In the midst of this, Diana seeks revenge in the arms of a new suitor, Dodi Fayed (Cas Anvar).
Diana doesn’t attempt to cover her whole life, instead focusing on just the last two years of her life. Her love affair with Khan is certainly the main focus, but it also serves as a window to see how Diana struggled to reestablish herself after her separation and divorce, deal with the press, and do the humanitarian work that gave her fulfillment. Unfortunately, Stephen Jeffreys screenplay is devoid of any real heart, and director Oliver Hirschbiegel does nothing to try and lift the story above the pedestrian manner in which the story unfolds.
Stepping into an almost impossible role, Naomi Watts is passable as Diana, but certainly nothing particularly impressive. Naveen Andrews plays Hasnat Khan as if he were a laid back superhero, making him insufferable. The performances are secondary to the fact that when Diana isn’t doing charity work, she’s been reduced to little more than a whimpering, bundle of insecurities. At the same time though, she’s a master manipulator of the press. It’s hard to know just who Diana, Princess of Wales was.
Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Diana looks great in high definition. The image is sharp and well detailed, though it does look a bit flat in a few scenes. Colors are accurate and vibrant throughout, and compression issues aren’t a factor.
Diana‘s lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track does the job, but it likely won’t blow you away. The many music cues fill the surrounds very nicely and the ambient sounds are placed discretely throughout the soundfield. Dialogue is clean and clear.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
Cast and Crew Interviews include:
- Naomi Watts (1080p; 9:17)
- Naveen Andrews (1080p; 5:48)
- Douglas Hodge (1080p; 3:55)
- Charles Edwards (1080p; 2:46)
- Oliver Hirschbiegel (1080p; 8:46)
- Robert Bernstein (1080p; 6:37)
- Kave Quinn (1080p; 3:24)
- Julian Day (1080p; 4:57)
For those interested, the Blu-ray also comes with a booklet devoted to Diana’s fashion sensibility.
