The Young Victoria... Review and pictures
Just lovely! Ok, perhaps the movie didn't have great depth, here and there there were historical inaccuracies, the score wasn't altogether to my taste, and sometimes there's too much fast forwarding particularly during the last minutes of the movie that are filled with somewhat annoying inter-titles. But nothing could spoil my enjoyment: the story about Victoria's adolescence and the early years of her marriage with Prince Albert was enchanting, the acting wonderful - what a great cast! -, the cinematography fabulous, the decor and costumes amazing... Since the movie finishes after the birth of their first child, and they had nine together, I already crave for a sequel. :)
The movie starts with Victoria telling the story of her youth and awfully isolated over-protective upbringing by her mother, the duchess of Kent and the nasty intimidating adviser of her mother, Lord Conroy, parts wonderfully played by Miranda Richardson and Mark Strong respectively. How suffocating the life of such a person is, very well illustrated by a lot of closing gates, locking doors etc.! The poor girl couldn't even walk the stairs alone, someone had to hold her hand even when she was 17, almost 18, and she slept in her mother's bedroom until her 18th birthday! At seventeen she meets her German cousin Albert for the first time, who's instructed by his uncle Leopold, king of Belgium, to win her affection. The two appear to have much in common, and it's interesting to see how they soon form a true friendship which will later turn into the deepest love from both sides. The second half of the movie deals with Victoria's coming of age, her coronation and her married life. Before her marriage she already shows her strong will and personality. No, she isn't a woman to be trifled with! However, it is hard to determine who to trust and who not in an environment such as hers, where almost everybody is eager for power and... once obtained, very eager to keep it. So, she unjustifiably puts her trust too much in Lord Melbourne for instance, and makes decisions that doesn't make her popularity grow. Things change for the better after her marriage, when she realizes that Albert isn't only a fine husband, but a smart loyal man as well. It's a wonderful moment when Victoria has his desk put opposite to hers.
Even though the political machinations were an interesting part of the movie (and certainly the way her predecessor William IV dealt with them - a fantastic, little bit OTP, role played by Jim Broadbent), as well as the insight one gets in the household of a palace and its extravagant totally unnecessary expenses, for me the love story was the most important part. Convincingly played by a fabulous Emily Blunt (who had no problem at all carrying the movie) and a lovely Rupert Friend. He spoke with a soft German accent which was pleasant to my ears. Not at all overdone, just right, for as far as I can be the judge of it of course.
In a general sense it was refreshing to watch a movie of a young Victoria! After all, we basically know her as an elderly corpulent lady dressed in black, the queen Judi Dench played so beautifully in "Mrs Brown".
If you like period pieces, you appreciate a good love story and you can forgive the makers a couple of historical inaccuracies, I'm sure you'll enjoy this movie. I highly recommend it.
The movie starts with Victoria telling the story of her youth and awfully isolated over-protective upbringing by her mother, the duchess of Kent and the nasty intimidating adviser of her mother, Lord Conroy, parts wonderfully played by Miranda Richardson and Mark Strong respectively. How suffocating the life of such a person is, very well illustrated by a lot of closing gates, locking doors etc.! The poor girl couldn't even walk the stairs alone, someone had to hold her hand even when she was 17, almost 18, and she slept in her mother's bedroom until her 18th birthday! At seventeen she meets her German cousin Albert for the first time, who's instructed by his uncle Leopold, king of Belgium, to win her affection. The two appear to have much in common, and it's interesting to see how they soon form a true friendship which will later turn into the deepest love from both sides. The second half of the movie deals with Victoria's coming of age, her coronation and her married life. Before her marriage she already shows her strong will and personality. No, she isn't a woman to be trifled with! However, it is hard to determine who to trust and who not in an environment such as hers, where almost everybody is eager for power and... once obtained, very eager to keep it. So, she unjustifiably puts her trust too much in Lord Melbourne for instance, and makes decisions that doesn't make her popularity grow. Things change for the better after her marriage, when she realizes that Albert isn't only a fine husband, but a smart loyal man as well. It's a wonderful moment when Victoria has his desk put opposite to hers.
Even though the political machinations were an interesting part of the movie (and certainly the way her predecessor William IV dealt with them - a fantastic, little bit OTP, role played by Jim Broadbent), as well as the insight one gets in the household of a palace and its extravagant totally unnecessary expenses, for me the love story was the most important part. Convincingly played by a fabulous Emily Blunt (who had no problem at all carrying the movie) and a lovely Rupert Friend. He spoke with a soft German accent which was pleasant to my ears. Not at all overdone, just right, for as far as I can be the judge of it of course.
In a general sense it was refreshing to watch a movie of a young Victoria! After all, we basically know her as an elderly corpulent lady dressed in black, the queen Judi Dench played so beautifully in "Mrs Brown".
If you like period pieces, you appreciate a good love story and you can forgive the makers a couple of historical inaccuracies, I'm sure you'll enjoy this movie. I highly recommend it.