Film Review: The Young Victoria
This is one of the movies I've been waiting to see this year and I must say, it was worth the wait. I've even seen this twice now and will see it again (when it expands) Christmas Day.Read my review below!
But first...
[Warning! ... for those who haven't seen this movie and don't want to be spoiled...]
SynopsisA dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.
At such a young age, the young princess Victoria had already gone
through adversities by having someone hold her hand whenever she walks up or down the stairs of her own home. She has to have others taste her food before she eat it. Not too mention, she had to face an over-bearing mother. These were amongst various power struggles going on, as well as attempts on her life. But despite all that, her story makes for a very fascinating and informative viewing (even if that was just the early years of her life shown in this film).
Prior to seeing this film, I had only previously seen Emily Blunt in 3 films such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Jane Austen Book Club, and most recently The Sunshine Cleaning. She mostly played supporting roles in those films, but she was always great and has pretty much gotten my attention every time she's on the screen. As she was in those films, she is once again the standout here. I was very impressed with her portrayal of the young Victoria, and thought she was amazing in this role. She makes the transition from the young Victoria we meet at the start of the film to the Queen Victoria 
from the young Victoria who makes mistakes to the Queen who takes control). Not enough can be said about Emily Blunt in this role. She's - quite simply - exquisite, commanding your attention every second she's on screen. She keeps you transfixed up to and including the final shot of the film. I was very impressed with her outstanding performance and how she carried this film as the lead star. Emily Blunt rules as the young and later Queen Victoria. Long live the Queen!
Rupert Friend (having only seen him briefly on Pride & Prejudice as the unlikable Mr. Wickham and in Johnny Depp's The Libertine) has also proven to be perfectly cast as Victoria's love interest (and eventual husband), Prince Albert. Emily & Rupert have a very nice and natural on-screen chemistry and you absolutely believe in their developing relationship. They had their disagreements, but you can tell that they were very much in love. Rupert and Emily were excellent in every scene that they share and keep you interested in what is happening between Victoria & Albert. The other actors in the film were also 
very good. Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne, Miranda Richardson as the Duchess of Kent (aka Victoria's over-bearing mother), Mark Strong as Sir John Conroy and Jim Broadbent as King William. There was not a single bad performance in this film, at least not from my viewing. The less-focused-upon people/characters were well-portrayed also, given what little screen time they had. Even Victoria's dog (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Dash) was memorable and made an impact in this film. The painting scene at the beginning when Victoria was trying to paint him, he wouldn't sit still, so she gave up, lol.
This film looks amazing, the costumes Emily Blunt wears throughout the movie are gorgeous and visually stunning. The music (the score and theme song: Only You) only adds to the film, never detracts from it. It's exceptionally shot with a stunning and beautiful cinematography (similar to Pride & Prejudice and Becoming Jane) and, unlike a lot of films these days, this movie is actually a good length (again, quite similar to Keira Knightley's 2005 Pride & 
Prejudice film, which makes you wish it was longer or want to watch it over and over), as it doesn't run on so long that you lose interest or feel that it's being drawn out.
It goes without saying that what makes this film so great and impressive is Emily Blunt. She's radiant and in fine form here, turning in another excellent performance (which wouldn't surprised me if she gets an Oscar nomination for Best Actress on this...she just received one for the 2010 Golden Globe Awards) and elevating this film above what it might have been, had another actress been cast in this rather important/historic role (though I'd say Keira Knightley would be capable of doing this role 
marvelously as well as she did in last year's The Duchess, but in this one Emily is simply Queen Victoria and definitely owned her in this role as Keira owned Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire and as 
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice). Rupert Friend, on the other hand, was very impressive himself, not too mention handsome and charming as Prince Albert (his best role and best performance thus far...) and Victoria's husband and soul mate. This is definitely one finely-crafted film, with excellent performances from Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, and the rest of the supporting cast that should definitely be seen not just once, but several times.
My favorite lines/scenes from The Young Victoria...Play It With You...
Princess Victoria: Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself? In a game being played against your will.
Prince Albert: Do you?
Princess Victoria: Constantly. I see them leaning in and moving me around the board.
Prince Albert: The Duchess and Sir John?
Princess Victoria: Not just them. Uncle Leopold. The king. I'm sure half the politicians are ready to seize hold of my skirts and drag me from square to square.
Prince Albert: Then you had better master the rules of the game until you play it better than they can.
Princess Victoria: You don't recommend I find a husband to play it for
me?
Prince Albert: You should find one to play it with you, not for you.
Prince Albert: Do you?
Princess Victoria: Constantly. I see them leaning in and moving me around the board.
Princess Victoria: Not just them. Uncle Leopold. The king. I'm sure half the politicians are ready to seize hold of my skirts and drag me from square to square.
Prince Albert: Then you had better master the rules of the game until you play it better than they can.
Princess Victoria: You don't recommend I find a husband to play it for
me?
Prince Albert: You should find one to play it with you, not for you.
Will You Marry Me?Prince Albert: I just got your note. I was riding.
Queen Victoria: Sit, please.
Prince Albert: The park is marvelous.
Queen Victoria: I'm so pleased you like it. I do want you to feel quite at home... I'm sure you're aware why I wished you to come here. Because it would make me happier than anything, too happy really, if you would agree to what I wish.
Prince Albert: And stay with you?
Queen Victoria: And stay with me.
Prince Albert: And marry you?
Queen Victoria: And marry me!
The Fight sceneQueen Victoria: How dare you spoke of me in that way before. How dare you talk across me as if I were a child.
Prince Albert: I did no such thing...
Queen Victoria: Oh, no?...well, you just sorted this and you sorted that. You and sir Robert. You and the duke and all without reference to me.
Prince Albert: Victoria I thought you'd be pleased...
Queen Victoria: I will tell you what you thought. You thought that I was a WOMAN! To be pity, passed over, and ignored.
Prince Albert: If it was so simple, then...we might avoid the full makings of your scandal.
Queen Victoria: Have you lost your mind?
Prince Albert: You're at it...Less than 3 years on the throne and you and your precious Melbourne has pushed this monarchy into a brink of an abyss!
Queen Victoria: I told you before and I will tell you again. You are my husband here and that is all!
Prince Albert: And that is quite enough... Believe me!
Queen Victoria: I will not have my role usurped! I wear the crown! And if there are mistakes they will be my mistakes, and no one else will make them! No one, not even YOU!
Prince Albert: I am leaving before you excite yourself and harm the child.
Queen Victoria: You will go when I dismiss you. I am your queen, and I am telling you to stay!
[exits]
Queen Victoria: [storms over to door] You may not go! You may not go! I order you to stay here in this room! Albert!
The tour scene/prior to an attempted assassination...
Prince Albert: For pity's sake, smile, woman. Anyone would think we had quarreled.
Prince Albert recovery scene...
Queen Victoria: [sobbing] I'm so sorry! I thought I was going to lose you!
Prince Albert: I don't think he was a very good shot.
Queen Victoria: Why did you do it? So stupid, why did you do it?
Prince Albert: I had two very good reasons. First, I am replaceable and you are not.
Queen Victoria: You are not replaceable to me!
Prince Albert: Second, you're the only wife I've got or ever will have. You are my whole existence, and I will love you until my very last breath.
Prince Albert: I don't think he was a very good shot.
Queen Victoria: Why did you do it? So stupid, why did you do it?
Queen Victoria: You are not replaceable to me!
Prince Albert: Second, you're the only wife I've got or ever will have. You are my whole existence, and I will love you until my very last breath.
Overall, I thought this film was one of the best (and my favorite) films I've seen this year of 2009. I love period/historical movies and this film was definitely my cup of tea. I loved it from beginning to end...and wish it was longer, but like I said, this film was in good length...and makes me want to see it again and again. What a beautiful film and beautiful love story between Victoria and Albert. I've heard of Queen Victoria (especially as the longest reigning British sovereign to date as the film stated just before the end credits), but I never knew her story (as I knew and read a lot or seen movies about Queen 
all of Victoria and Albert scenes (ie. dancing, the real proposal, and their brief wedding scene to name a few of their many memorable scenes) from
their friendship to courtship to companionship to marriage....and even their fight/argument scene was brilliantly acted by both Emily and Rupert. They have this natural sparks and undeniable on-screen chemistry. I was mesmerized and so immersed just watching them transformed into Queen Victoria & Prince Albert. They were just so incredible and believable with their equally superb performances. I didn't expect to love and enjoy this film a lot, but I did and it was worth watching and paying for on the big screen for the beautiful story, visually stunning music/score prominently played throughout the film, and all around incredible performances. I highly recommend you see this film, if you haven't already done so. It's a MUST-SEE! Go See It!My The Young Victoria Film Rating:
! (10/10; A+)
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