A ROYAL NIGHT OUT

*** (out of five)

As frivolous and weightless as a macaroon, A Royal Night Out is actually quite charming and sweet; it survives by being completely self-aware: of its own slightness, of its outlandish concept, and most importantly, of the desires of its intended audience.

Taking their cues from the true event of British Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret being allowed out, incognito, among the people of London on the night of VE Day, 1945, screenwriters Trevor De Silva and Kevin Hood and director Julian Jarrold spin a fanciful (and surely almost entirely bogus) farce. Margaret (a cute Bel Powley) gets lost from her sister early (and only gets scattered scenes throughout the film); Elizabeth (the gorgeous Sarah Gaden) teams up with an airman, Jack (Jack Reynor) for much of the night, stirring at least something inside of her.

Any film whose biggest concern is, “Did the future Queen of England kiss a bloke that night?” is obviously not for everyone. But if the war, the royals, or period frocks are your game, this could be the right sweet confection for you.