Far Out!

Is Scarlet Overkill A Role-Playing Dork?

Remember the dungeon scene when Scarlet contacts Herb over the intercom and asks him to come get ready for the coronation? Well, I'd always thought her voice sounded over-the-top silly at that point—even for Scarlet—and could never quite figure out why (except for my assumption that it was just her "I'm giving an order" voice). Recently, I was reflecting again on why her voice sounded the way it did and then it hit me—Scarlet sounds a lot like Queen Elizabeth II! Could it be intentional?

Her voice is very sing-song-y at that moment—especially when she says, "Hello!". It sounds similar to the way Queen Elizabeth greeted her subjects when she's riding in the carriage earlier in the story. Scarlet seems to be affecting a British accent—and mimicking Elizabeth in the process. Therefore, she could be role-playing as if she were already queen or at the very least, rehearsing for the part. Scarlet might be speaking in a way she imagines a queen should speak. She did mention how much she admired Queen Elizabeth. I can see Scarlet aspiring to be like her in terms of behavior and manner after she becomes queen. Another reason she might be imitating Elizabeth is because she's just so darn excited about becoming queen! Her dream is closer than ever before and she can't wait to get started.

If that's the way the filmmakers intended for that bit of dialogue to play out and be interpreted, then it means a) Scarlet is an even bigger adorable dork than we thought and b) Sandra Bullock is a genius because what do you want to bet the idea for Scarlet to role-play like that was hers?

[Imho, there's a bit of an angsty side to Scarlet role-playing like that because it could also hint at how desperate she is to seize the monarchy. Her faux-accent could be interpreted as an attempt to convince herself she's already queen—perhaps the mark of a highly anxious person who's using role-play to self-soothe while she's waiting for the coronation. Maybe she's secretly worried something will go wrong, a likely possibility given what's already happened.]