A young queen, who is married to an insane king, falls secretly in love with her physician - and together they start a revolution that changes a nation forever.
Chemistry is what’s missing here; the cold aloofness and mismatched quality of A Royal Affair’s cast never suggests the burning passions required.
Contains enough sex, political manipulation, idealism and betrayal to keep the wheels spinning for two hours – plus bonus points for trying to capture some of the rhythms and reasoning of the period.
A voluptuous slice of historical drama that will satisfy period fans and Mikkelsen admirers equally.
It's a story fit for the Mail Online's sidebar of shame, yet the great sex scandal of 18th-Century Denmark is little known today.
Tasteful bodice ripping and political intrigue keep things rattling along, despite a slightly over-long running time.
Lingers too long, but this gracefully done, old fashioned tale is a modern treat.
Arcel gives this true story the shape and bite of a well-crafted fiction, and its political themes are every bit as stirring as the romance.
It's a fascinating affair of state.
Nikolaj Arcel pays close attention to detail and setting, and draws a superb performance from Mikkel Boe Følsgaard as the half-childish, half-deranged king.
An absorbing and intelligent mixture of history lesson and forbidden romance.
This rich, intelligent and moving Danish period drama deserves to be ranked alongside Amadeus and Dangerous Liaisons.
First-rate.
Danes reign.
A queen, her lover and John Locke
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday July 20, 2012, until Thursday July 26, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com