Helen Mirren: In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures

Interesting. Lots of photos. I was first introduced to Helen Mirren through the Prime Suspect series, so it was interesting to see her in her other roles before and since.

"In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures" is as much a scrapbook as it is an autobiography of Helen Mirren, one of today's most acclaimed actresses. Mirren always striked me as being a very private person, and I was pleasantly surprised that she chose to share so much of her personal and professional life in this book. "In the Frame" begins with a history of Mirren's Russian family ancestry and chronicles her childhood upbringing, her relationships with her parents and siblings, her introduction into the world of theatre, her numerous relationships, and her eventual success in television and film. In addition to the text, this book contains hundreds of never-before-seen photographs, many from Mirren's personal collection, and other memorabilia that Mirren has saved throughout her life. Mirren is very straightforward and candid, and she doesn't hold back when describing things like her first sexual encounter and a drunken night on an Indian reservation that resulted in a tattoo on her hand. Although the stories are intriguing, the best aspect of the book is the stunning photography. There are pictures of Mirren as a young girl, on the sets of numerous theatrical productions, at her wedding to director Taylor Hackford, and on the red carpet at the 2007 Academy Awards, where she won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in "The Queen." After reading this book and looking at all these photos, I feel like I've known Mirren for years, and I certainly wish that I have. She's intelligent, independent, honest, spirited, and funny...exactly the type of person that you'd make an effort to get to know. Fortunately, by reading "In the Frame," you'll have the opportunity to do just that.

"The tiaras and silvering hair of Britain's sexiest sixty something - it's all here, in In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures, a glossy hardback scrapbook of photographs extensively annotated by Helen Mirren. Born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov in Chiswick, London, in 1945." Eva Wiseman Helen Mirren, my image of the perfect woman and actress, warts and all, beautiful to look at as she ages and beautiful in mind and soul as I got to know her a little better. I think she will love the title I chose for this review, like me, she's a little bit raunchy and rock 'n roll. Helen was asked why she wrote this book. It seems that she has been asked many times to write her story, but could not think it through. A good friend suggested she write it like a scrapbook. Helen has always been surrounded by pictures of herself, her family and what is important to her. She started with the pictures, and the words came pouring out. This is a lovely way to write a book, the gorgeous pictures give you a mind's eye picture of Helen at the time. One of the more innovative methods of writing about yourself. Helen's father was from a royal Russian family who came to the UK and ended up as a very well educated cab driver. Helen loved this part of her life,getting to knwo her Russan ancestors. She explains the history of the family, and along with the pictures we get a feel for what life was like. At 23, Helen visited a palm reader in the UK who told her that she would see her greatest success after the age of 45. How right she was! She began her career with the National Youth Theater in the UK in 1965, and forty years later won an Academy Award for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 feature film "The Queen," She tells us of her many experiences in these past forty years, the memorable plays and movies and people that she met along the way. She has had one hell of a life, and she has worked very hard for every bit of it. Strangely, her role as Detective Tennison in 'Prime Suspect' on BBC TV helped to show her veritable talents. She signed a contract for one season and ended up playing four. This series became a 'WATER COOLER' series- everyone was talking about it. And then the same year that she ended her reign as Tennison, she played the Queen, and won the top coveted prize for her acting. The years in-between were filled with a busy career in TV, film and theatre. As Max Holmer says when he interviewed her, "She has won acclaim for 'The Madness of King George' and 'Gosford Park', took her clothes off for Calendar Girls, then came the damehood, The Queen and the Oscar." Helen shares her version of her first lovemaking and other areas of her sexual history, but it is the photos that you will love. She has indeed had wonderful luck with her photographers and some marvelous pictures grace this book. Like me, I can see you looking at the photos before you start reading. Helen talks about her family, her loves and losses. And she introduces us to her husband,

After Prime Suspect, Gosford Park and The Queen I knew Helen Mirren was a terrific actress. But I assumed she was an uptight, proper Brit. Wrong! The Mirren that emerges from "In the Frame" is an adventurous bohemian, willing to freely speak her mind and expose her secrets. She is also quite a babe, and includes many photos showing yards and yards of beautifully curvy flesh. She's not a shy one. "In The Frame" is like a personal diary, scrapbook and photo album all in one. There are hundreds of compelling photos, from family snapshots to backstage candids to high-glamour fashion layouts. There are even some 19th-century photos from Russia. The narrative takes you from Mirren's birth through her upbringing in England to her marriage with film director Taylor Hackford and Best Actress Oscar for "The Queen." She describes her first performance, at age 6, as the Virgin Mary. "All I had to do was sit there. The perfect role! I wish they had all been that easy. Sit tight, don't move, say nothing and let the costume do all the work." Mirren's recollections of the "Gosford Park" shoot include director Robert Altman deciding, halfway through the filming, that Mirren's character and actress Eileen Atkins' character should be sisters. Her Oscar acceptance speech is printed in full. Here's the chapter list: 1. Russia: My father's Russian ancestry 2. Dad: Changing from Mironov to Mirren 3. Mum: An extraordinary woman -- making her dreams come true 4. Childhood: Growing up with my brother and sister 5. Southend: Becoming an Essex Girl 6. Starting Out: With the National Youth Theater -- Cleopatra and getting an agent 7. Stratford: The Royal Shakespeare Company and a house called Parsenn Sally 8. Peter Brook: Experimental theatre -- touring the world 9. Theatre: My life on the stage -- Lady Macbeth to Natalya Petrovna 10. James Wedge: Extraordinary photographs by an extraordinary artist 11. In Front of the Camera: From the East End to Northern Ireland 12. America: Hello Hollywood! 13. In Front of the Camera: Moving up a level and Jane Tennison 14. My Amazing Year: Playing queens, saying goodbye to Jane Tennison and winning an Oscar 15. Taylor and My Family Today: One wedding and a very happy clan 16. Professional Shots

Charmingly written with wonderful photographs throughout. Just the right touch and very much in her own voice. She comes across as sane, funny and empathetic. Someone worth knowing. A very satisfying memoir.