ImageSydneysiders are all too familiar with the imposing statue of Queen Victoria residing in front of the building that bears her name. So it’s quite a paradigm shift to replace this image of a rather dour, old widow with the fresh-faced beauty of Emily Blunt in Jean-Marc Vallée’s The Young Victoria.
Penned by Gosford Park scribe Julian Fellowes, The Yong Victoria boasts the additional royal patronage of Martin Scorsese and The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson as executive producers. The result is, mercifully, less reminiscent of The Princess Diaries than a sophisticated political drama bearing a trace of The Age of Innocence.
Chronicling the years 1836 to 1840, Victoria is indeed very young. The film begins the year prior to her succession, where her mother The Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson) and the controller of the house Sir John Conroy’s (Mark Strong) will to establish a regency results in an extremely cosseted child. The princess’ rocky ascension to the throne is followed by the further political machinations of her parliament and court. Meanwhile, an advantageous alliance with Saxony sees Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) served up to Victoria as a possible match.
The Young Victoria is filled with robust performances from actors who are clearly relishing their historical roles. Strong glowers as the oppressive Sir John, while Paul Bettany seduces as the consummate politician Lord Melbourne. Jim Broadbent is an absolute scene-stealer as the cantankerous King William IV. And for once Friend’s stiffness seems to work to his advantage, suiting the formality of the Germanic prince.
However there is no doubt that Blunt shines as the naïve yet determined young Queen. The film makes much of mirrors, gates and chess, leaving us in no doubt that hers was a beautifully gilded cage. And yet the quiet chemistry between Blunt and Friend conveys the beginnings of this great love and what became a powerful partnership between the Queen and her prince.
Reining for 63 years, Queen Victoria may be remembered as the monarch perpetually dressed in mourning black. Yet this film goes a long way to unveil the widow, revealing a passionate, beautiful and boisterous young Victoria.
3.5/5
This review also appears in The Brag
Australian release date: 27 August 2009.
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2 comments:
Would honestly pay money to see Emily Blunt chopping vegetables - she is just so wonderful. Look forward to this one on DVD - calm and lovely.
(And I like your star-rating, too!)
Yes, it'll make a great DVD night. Although the incredibly detailed costume and production design does hold up well on the big screen.
I'll make a note to write Emily Blunt chopping vegies into one of my screenplays :)
And you like the rating? I do them for The Brag, but do you think I should start including ratings in other reviews?
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