Unlike Greg, I’m a pretty big fan of period pieces. Give me a movie about a bad ass queen, throw in some sweet costumes and some romance, and I’m sold. This being said, a lot of historical dramas tend to be on the dull side, and The Young Victoria, even with all its glorious costuming and beautiful locations, falls into this category.
Most films about Queen Victoria have focused on her later years, of which there were many, considering she was the longest reigning monarch Britain has ever seen. Not much has made mention of her earlier years, which were filled with overbearing advisors, copious wooing, and political strife. The Young Victoria aims to portray Victoria before the stiffness the era that bears her name would later be associated with, as well as the beginning of her long love affair with Prince Albert.
More after the jump!
Most films about Queen Victoria have focused on her later years, of which there were many, considering she was the longest reigning monarch Britain has ever seen. Not much has made mention of her earlier years, which were filled with overbearing advisors, copious wooing, and political strife. The Young Victoria aims to portray Victoria before the stiffness the era that bears her name would later be associated with, as well as the beginning of her long love affair with Prince Albert.
More after the jump!
Starring Emily Blunt, in her first big starring role, the film begins with the events that lead up to Victoria’s coronation in 1837. King William (Jim Broadbent) is nearing his deathbed, and, because he has no heirs, Victoria, his niece, is next in line to rule. However, because she is only 17, her power hungry mother (Miranda Richardson) and her greedy advisor (Mark Strong) desperately try to get Victoria to sign a regency act that would allow her mother to rule until she is 25. Victoria adamantly refuses, of course.
All the while, her uncle, King Leopold of Belgium plots to make a political connection with England by sneakily persuading her to marry his nephew, Prince Albert (Robert Friend) by schooling him in all of her likes and dislikes. Despite all of his training, however, Victoria only likes Albert when he drops his act, and the two share touching scenes empathizing over their families control over them. Despite the political shenanigans surrounding the couple, they do fall in love, although mainly through letters in a romance that takes three years to really get off the ground.
After Victoria is crowned, every political puppet master leaps into action in order to gain control of the new queen, including the sneaky Lord Melbourne (an almost unrecognizable Paul Bettany). Political conventions and party lines lead to chaos within the monarchy, and Victoria becomes unpopular for a time until she finally decides to marry Albert.
Whew. That sounds like a lot of plot, doesn’t it? Because it is. While The Young Victoria moves slowly, it tries to cram in a whole lot of story. It feels almost as if the story doesn’t really take hold until the last third, when Albert and Victoria finally consummate their affections. With any period piece, where the romance is incredibly subtle—you know, where the couple doesn’t even hold hands until their wedding night--The Young Victoria doesn't hold much interest with the couple being separated for much of the film.
Plus, the film seems to be under the impression I know who half these people are, along with the different parties and positions within the British political sphere, and, frankly, I don’t. I got confused and a little bored when the plot veered away from the romance and towards the entire political hubbub surrounding Victoria’s earlier years, and, coming from the screenwriter of the delightful Godsford Park, that’s a real disappointment.
What’s not a disappointment, however, are the performances by Blunt and Friend, who both do a great job of capturing their real life characters, although Blunt speaks with a haughty British accent instead of Victoria’s native German lilt. Blunt has always been great in secondary roles, and The Young Victoria gives her a moment to shine, but, for me, Friend is the one to watch in this film. He is kind and sensitive, yet authoritative and powerful. There was just something about him that was mesmerizing. Broadbent, who is always so delightful, was a little over-acty for me, which was disheartening.
The Young Victoria is definitely worth watching, but you might want to beef up your British history before you head to the theater.
--Darcie Duttweiler
All the while, her uncle, King Leopold of Belgium plots to make a political connection with England by sneakily persuading her to marry his nephew, Prince Albert (Robert Friend) by schooling him in all of her likes and dislikes. Despite all of his training, however, Victoria only likes Albert when he drops his act, and the two share touching scenes empathizing over their families control over them. Despite the political shenanigans surrounding the couple, they do fall in love, although mainly through letters in a romance that takes three years to really get off the ground.
After Victoria is crowned, every political puppet master leaps into action in order to gain control of the new queen, including the sneaky Lord Melbourne (an almost unrecognizable Paul Bettany). Political conventions and party lines lead to chaos within the monarchy, and Victoria becomes unpopular for a time until she finally decides to marry Albert.
Whew. That sounds like a lot of plot, doesn’t it? Because it is. While The Young Victoria moves slowly, it tries to cram in a whole lot of story. It feels almost as if the story doesn’t really take hold until the last third, when Albert and Victoria finally consummate their affections. With any period piece, where the romance is incredibly subtle—you know, where the couple doesn’t even hold hands until their wedding night--The Young Victoria doesn't hold much interest with the couple being separated for much of the film.
Plus, the film seems to be under the impression I know who half these people are, along with the different parties and positions within the British political sphere, and, frankly, I don’t. I got confused and a little bored when the plot veered away from the romance and towards the entire political hubbub surrounding Victoria’s earlier years, and, coming from the screenwriter of the delightful Godsford Park, that’s a real disappointment.
What’s not a disappointment, however, are the performances by Blunt and Friend, who both do a great job of capturing their real life characters, although Blunt speaks with a haughty British accent instead of Victoria’s native German lilt. Blunt has always been great in secondary roles, and The Young Victoria gives her a moment to shine, but, for me, Friend is the one to watch in this film. He is kind and sensitive, yet authoritative and powerful. There was just something about him that was mesmerizing. Broadbent, who is always so delightful, was a little over-acty for me, which was disheartening.
The Young Victoria is definitely worth watching, but you might want to beef up your British history before you head to the theater.
--Darcie Duttweiler
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