The Young Victoria
Review - Kimberly Simpson
If you're a fan of historical/period pieces, this movie will be a feast for you. I'd say there are 3 main components of the film - the historical aspect, the relationships of the young Queen Victoria, and the outstanding visuals. The history portrayed in this film is highly accurate. Queen Victoria (Emily Blunt) took her thrown at the young age of 18, she was the sole heiress to the British Empire as her father and 2 uncles had failed to produce a male heir. To say Victoria was a sheltered child would be an understatement. She was
not allowed to read contemporary literature, socialize with children
her age or even play normal games outside where she might be injured. Her mother wouldn't even let her walk down a flight of stairs without holding the hand of someone else or sleep in a room of her own!
The bulk of the film was centered around the relationships Queen Victoria forges in the earlier part of her life. Using history, her personal diary, and possibly a little poetic license, we learn about Queen Victoria through how she relates to those around her. She is headstrong, independent and maybe even a little naÔve at times. She was almost always pulled in different directions and it seems everyone she held in close confidence was using her as a pawn for their own political gain. The complicated over bearing mother whom she must endure as a child is marginalized once Victoria ascends her thrown... The partnership of she and her ally Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany) is layered between a friendship and a political agenda... The love story between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) has elements of a typical 19th century courtship - but behind closed doors, is a story of two people deeply in love and a relationship of equality... And
I would be amiss if I did not mention the most loyal and constant
friend of young Queen Victoria, her King Charles spaniel - Dash. Even on her day of coronation, she took the time away from the festivities to bathe her dear pooch.
Ah, but my favorite part of the movie has to be the visuals. The dessert of the film... The extravagance that films of this genre are famous for will keep you wide-eyed and in awe. The costumes are spectacular to say the least - gorgeous. The backdrops of English gardens and scenes around the palace grounds are striking. The props are amazing, complete
with a true replication of Buckingham Palace - sprinkled with antique
portraits, authentic furnishings, gold and silver dinnerware and enough
sparkle to brighten all of England. The splendor of the royal balls full of dancing court ladies will have you in a state of wonder. Formal dinners with tables that are at least 100 feet long are chalked full of every food and drink imaginable. Glimpses
into the royal life that takes place inside of Buckingham palace will
you leave you wishing you could have been a fly on the wall just to
experience a tiny bit of this privileged life...
Overall,
I think this film is a successful rendition of what Queen Victoria's
younger years were like. Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend and Paul Bettany were excellent and believable in the film along with the rest of the lesser known cast. Props to Bettany who, although he has a supporting role, steals almost every scene he is a part of.
The movie is rated PG for
some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental
language and smoking. The sensuality is VERY mild and takes place
within the confines of marriage. The scene of violence is barely worth
mentioning and the language and smoking must have been so "incidental"
that I didn't even take note of it. I would give this film a healthy 4 out of 5. The film is a little light on drama, but the characters (both "good" and "evil") and the imagery definitely make it worth seeing.
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Now on DVD
