The Young Victoria - actually "We ARE Amused!!" (Young Victoria (DVD))

Member Name: rachelwestall

Product:	Young Victoria (DVD)
Date:	18/03/09 (357 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good period drama

Disadvantages: Not fast paced enough for some

This review is of the recently released film 'The Young Victoria'. I have always been interested in the life of Queen Victoria, (in fact since I was about 8 years old - many years ago! and we did a project on the Victorians). When I saw an advert for the film and an interview with the leadng lady, Emily Blunt,on the Jonathon Ross show, I knew it was a film I wanted to see.

~A few Historical facts~

Born in 1819 at Kensington Palace, Victoria was the only daughter of Edward, the Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg. Her father died when Victoria was only eight months old, upon which her mother placed her under a very strict regime and shunned the royal courts of Victoria's uncles, George IV and William IV. Victoria led a secluded and very sheltered childhood that little prepared her for the role of Queen.

In 1837, at the tender age of 18, she succeeded her uncle, William IV, and her reign dominated the rest of the century. In 1840 she married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. They were married happily for 20 years and had a family of nine children, many of whom eventually married into the European monarchy.

Queen Victoria was the longest reigning British monarch and the figurehead of a vast empire. She oversaw huge changes in British society and gave her name to an age.


~The Young Victoria~

This film is a 2009 British costume drama that chronicles Victoria's early rise to power and the first turbulent years, of the monarch's rule. It is unusual to see Victoria portrayed as young, lively and headstrong as it is more typical to see the dull old bore in widow's weeds, moping over the death of her dear, dear, Albert.

However this film focuses only on the early years of her reign and on the romantic courtship and her legendary marriage to Prince Albert. It begins in 1836, the year before Victoria ascended the throne with the Princess at the mercy of her mother, the Duchess of Kent and her scheming advisor Sir John Conroy who won't allow her to descend the stairs alone for fear she might tumble. As the story unfolds we see a young, headstrong, but naive girl being used as a political pawn.

She is persuaded by the clever Whig Prime Minister Lord Melbourne ( Paul Bettany), to install him as her private secretary. Everyone around her seems to want to manipulate her for their own gain, seeing her as a 'push-over'. Albert however is different and he defies protocol to assist her in outwitting the schemers.

As the romance between this young couple, Victoria and Prince Albert, develops, you see the even match in their relationship and a mutual love and respect that grows. Victoria is not a 'push-over' and she seems to learn quickly from her mistakes.

Visually the film is stunning and Emily Blunt plays the role of the young Victoria with a quiet passion. The sets and costumes are wonderfully lavish and give a real sense of the time. The scenes of the coronation give a real feeling of the pomp of the occasion. Jim Broadbent's wig is fantastic - I didn't recognise him at first!

Although apparently largely faithful to historical facts, ( I am no expert on this period in history) the film has drawn criticism for embellishing on events in order to increase its dramatic potential. But isn't that what making a film is all about? After all, this isn't a documentary. For example, in one of the scenes in the movie, Prince Albert is shot trying to protect Victoria, and while the assassination attempt is factual, Albert's shooting is not. This inaccuracy has reportedly annoyed Queen Elizabeth II after she saw the film at a private screening!

~The Cast~

The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and Graham King

Producer: Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson (?!) Apparently Princess Beatrice had a cameo role in the film, but I didn't spot her. Not that I was looking!!

Director : Jean-Marc Vallee

Screenwriter : Julian Fellowes

Actors.....

Emily Blunt - Victoria,
Jim Broadbent - King William,
Rupert Friend - Prince Albert,
Miranda Richardson - Duchess of Kent
Mark Strong - Sir John Conroy
Melbourne - Paul Bettany

~Would I recommend the film?~

Yes! Many may regard this as a 'girlie' film and it may not be everybody's cup of tea. I must admit that the average age of the cinema goers on the evening I saw the film was probably well over 50. My hubby and I felt quite young! (At least we didn't have to worry about noisy teenagers giggling and texting throughout the whole film). It certainly isn't raunchy or even mildly steamy, as are many films about the British Monarchy - for example, the Tudors. However, this is a tender and sweet romantic drama that portrays Victoria as a strong woman who wouldn't be walked over. It conveys clearly some of the political intrigue of the day, even if some of it is not accurate and makes for a pleasant evenings viewing. If you enjoy period drama this is a 'must see'.

Thank you for reading :o)

Summary: An nteresting glmpse at the early years of one of our countries great monarchs.