Richly rewarding, A Royal Affair offers viewers a fascinating trip back to 18th Century Denmark. Based on a true story, it deals with scandal, love, politics -- and how Denmark went from a backward country to one of the most progressive nations as the result of a German-born “enlightened” physician and his relationship with the mentally ill King and his lovely, open-minded Queen.

Told from Queen Caroline’s viewpoint, the film focuses on her trials and tribulations as an intelligent woman forced to suffer public humiliation at the hands of her husband -- but who finds a way to help her subjects through her secret affair with Johann Struensee, the royal physician.

This is Denmark’s submission for a well-deserved 2012 “Foreign Language” Oscar nomination. Cast members Alicia Vikander (as Queen Caroline), Mads Mikkelsen (as Struensee) and Mikel Boe FØlsgaard (as King Christian) deliver first-rate performances; cinematography, sets and costumes are stunning; and director Nikolaj Arcel knows when to slow down the pace as well as to speed things up as the remarkable story progresses. Yes, the 2-hour-and-17-minutes running time might have been shortened, but I’m not sure where any cuts could have been made.

This splendid movie impressed me so much that I had to write the following poem about it.                 

Marriages to Kings

at times don’t work out.

So one Denmark Queen

soon learned how to pout.  

King Christian was weird

in numerous ways.

Caroline saw that

at first sight, not days.   

But her mood perked up

when the doctor came.

She and he made love  

and took on the reign.  

Together they passed

enlightening laws

while Christian just played

ignoring his flaws.

Will forces too strong

fight back for the past?

See this one for sure --

a great film at last!    

(Released by Magnolia Pictures and rated “R” for sexual content and some violent images.)

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