The story starts during Victoria’s childhood in Kensington Palace. Her education is in the hands of her mother, the Duchess of Kent, and her conniving and arrogant secretary Sir John Conroy. The young princess lives isolated from everything and everyone, especially from her father’s family.
Being the heiress of the throne of England and underage, many are those who would wish to control her. Conroy tries to force her to name her mother Regent and he would rule through the duchess. But Victoria, much more determined and perceptive than he thought, refuses and distances herself from her mother. Leopold I, king of Belgium and uncle of the young woman, also tries to influence her and his weapon reveals to be much more effective. Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg is sent to England as a candidate for marriage. He is serious and cultivated and is sure they would have nothing in common. It doesn’t take long to see these two understand each other very well. The chess game between them is a lovely and quite symbolic moment.
The following years as a queen, Victoria tries to educate herself to the tasks and duties expected from a sovereign guided by the scheming but oh so charming Lord Melbourne (he could manipulate us any day!). If the young queen seems happier with her destiny, some of her choices and inexperience will have dreadful consequences…
Emily Blunt is a talented actress and if we never doubted she would play Victoria well giving her a mischievous and playful side, her looks don’t help her portray the small and energetic queen in the most faithfull manner. While considered pretty in her younger years, she was never a beauty. Victoria impressed her subjects with her radiant personality and her wit, and often her size and regular looks were misleading.
The real jewel of this movie is, without any doubt, Rupert Friend. We weren’t fans of him after seeing him as George Wickham in Pride and Prejudice (2005), but since this Austen screen adaptation was an overall disappointment, he kind of went unnoticed. Here he has the chance to shine! Intelligent, passionate and with an unshaken common sense he is the perfect co-sovereign, even if he has some tendencies to control his wife…
The same we can say about Mark Strong and his Sir John Conroy. We couldn’t be more pleased to see Strong getting more parts in cinema and TV since he really is an excellent actor. He brought all the aggressiveness and lust for power of Conroy adding a hint of madness and even some fear, towards the end. Quite a beautiful performance!
The most disappointing part is the end that is perfectly unnecessary. Why show those images of Victoria 20 years later and after having 9 children she would never have a figure as slender as Emily Blunt. It only gives the impression that Albert died the same year or shortly after.
Overall, this is a charming story with a lovely photography, gorgeous costumes and excellent performances that certainly will charm any period drama fan. There are some historical inaccuracies like the scene when Prince Albert saves the queen and is shot (actually nobody was hurt or the Prince tried to save anybody’s life), but these changes only add more drama to the plot without actually spoiling the story and our enjoyment. Just a small note, the song Only You by Sinead O’Connor seemed somehow misplaced in an historical movie, but maybe this is just us.
After watching The Young Victoria, we can only warmingly recommend Mrs. Brown which portrays the queen in her later years after the disappearance of her beloved Albert. A review is planned for this week, in case anyone is interested to know more about Victoria’s life.
Official site: http://www.theyoungvictoria.co.uk
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0962736/
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
i never had any kind or interest in Queen Victoria, so i didn’t had tought of watching these. But a friend, after seeing it recomend it and i give it a go. I too was very pleased and like it a lot, even if there are some inaccuracies..
As for Rupert Friend i too was very impressed by him!:) and now i want to see him on Cheri.
hmmm. I’ll have to see it. Although, I thought she never married Albert. Maybe I’m just confusing certain facts. At any rate, thanks for the review. :)
I’ll have to see it before I start spouting. However, I don’t think Emily Blunt will be able to pull the powerful roll off and Rupert? He’s just Whickman, lol. :P
so glad l’m here..love the posts..and the films oh the films…
loved victoria…and al of them..
If anyone is uncertain about seeing the film – go and do it! For me it was wonderful, excellent period drama. Loved it.
I just saw this movie and it was beautiful! I wish I saw it in theaters :]
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