Review: THE YOUNG VICTORIA

In the latest of many  historical biopics, THE YOUNG VICTORIA finds herself in line for the throne after no one is left  to assume the duties of monarch from  her  dying uncle, England’s King William IV. Not only is  the heir-apparent  being used as a pawn by her overbearing mother, the Duchess of Kent, (Miranda Richardson) and her advisor Lord Conroy (Mark Strong), but they also try to make the Princess sign her duties of Regent over to them. In the meantime, her mother invites Victoria’s cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, for a visit to meet the naive  Princess in the hopes that a friendship and possible romance will blossom in time. The Prince’s uncle, King Leopold of Belgium, hopes of an eventual marriage between the future Queen of England and his nephew. Once the King dies, all gloves are off as Victoria assumes the title of Queen at the age of 18 in 1837. She all but banishes her mother to another wing of the newly constructed Buckingham Palace, throws out the controlling Conroy, and begins writing more so with Prince Albert. After many encounters, the two fall in love and  marry.  The newly crowned Queen  seemingly finds an ally in her all too gentle, but earnest advisor, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). Her new marriage to the Prince and him being made her Consort in name only,  along with  the Prime Minister’s questionable motives, leave Victoria feeling as if she’s once again being controlled and  troubled by whom she can trust. In the end, she rises to the challenge placed in front of her and in reality, Victoria and Albert became true partners until his untimely death at age 42 of typhoid fever.

THE YOUNG VICTORIA is made up of a great ensemble cast. Paul Bettany is stately and subdued  as Prime Minister Melbourne and Mark Strong is wonderful as the conniving, menacing Conroy –  he alone is reason enough  to go see SHERLOCK HOLMES.  But it’s rising British actress Emily Blunt  who is  superb as the young Queen. She’s confident and radiant given a monarch who was known to be dowdy and stern looking. With one, smirking  glance right into the camera, Blunt makes this queen, the longest reigning monarch in history,  a real person. Particular attention to the period was made by make-up and hair designer, Jenny Shircore.  Her team did an excellent job, especially with the prosthetic applied to actor Julian Glover to give him the distinct  bridge of the nose of the Duke of Wellington. The gorgeous costumes from Oscar winning designer Sandy Powell (THE AVIATOR, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE) and lush sets  from Patrice Vermette (C.R.A.Z.Y.) are enhanced by the sumptuous cinematography of Hagen Bogdanski (THE LIVES OF OTHERS) – Its all an Anglophile could wish for. Along with a regal score from English composer, Ilan Eshkeri (STARDUST, NINJA ASSASSIN), be sure to hang around for the bluesy, whispery end-credit song “Only You” sung by Sinead O’Connor. For a listen, go here to the film’s official site.

While it may not be conspicuous that the filmmakers took some liberties in historical accuracy, like the assassination attempt on the Queen, this subtle film is more than just a costume drama from French-Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallee (C.R.A.Z.Y.). There are little political nuances throughout and Vallee creates just enough sexual tension between the Queen and her Prince, including some tender scene of the newlyweds,  that leaves the audience wanting more in this film that scarcely runs 104 minutes. Look for a quick cameo by Queen Victoria’s  great-great-great-great-granddaughter, Princess Beatrice (daughter of the present-day Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson). From a script written by Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (GOSFORD PARK) and produced by The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, Martin Scorsese, Graham King, THE YOUNG VICTORIA opens  this Christmas Day.