I did a comment on the Oscars before I saw this wonderful film. I watched it today, and not only did Helen Mirren deserve the Oscar for best actress, but one of my favorite actors, James Cromwell definitely should have been nominated too. It wasnt the best film of the year (see entry on the Departed), but it deserved to be nominated, which it was. When I do a list of best historical movies soon, this will be at or near the top.