'Spencer' shows off Kristen Stewart in a 'fable' about Diana's break from the Royals
CNN
Kristen Stewart's fierce, attention-grabbing work as Princess Diana really ought to be viewed independently of "Spencer," described as "a fable from a true tragedy" that presents a pivotal weekend in Princess Diana's split from the Royal Family. That is, it's possible to admire the performance and still come away feeling director Pablo Larrain's fictionalized movie doesn't significantly add to a story many of us already know in exhaustive detail.
Larrain, notably, offered a similar take on American royalty with "Jackie," which starred Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy. In what is becoming his anthology of famous women facing crises, he has created another strong showcase for the star while crafting a movie that's a little too precious for its own good.
"Spencer" (Diana's surname, for any who have forgotten) takes off in speculative ways based on a real moment, when Diana spent Christmas weekend with the Royals at the Queen's Sandringham Estate as her marriage to Prince Charles (Jack Farthing) was crumbling. Arriving late, she's alternately depressed and defiant, well aware that all eyes are on her even before being warned that the press is "circling us."
Venezuelan authorities are investigating opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for alleged treason after she expressed support for a US bipartisan bill that seeks to block Washington from doing business with any entity that has commercial ties with the government of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.
Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the intelligence community, was briefly placed on a Transportation Security Administration list that prompts additional security screening before flights after her overseas travel patterns and foreign connections triggered a government algorithm earlier this year, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.