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...]

The Young Victoria (2009)

starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bethany, and Miranda Richardson

Watch the trailer for below:
  
[source:Sabrinansmj]

Synopsis

A 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 she becomes later, entirely believable.
Emily Blunt is perfectly cast in the role as the young Victoria, showing all the different sides (from the vulnerable, to the strong, 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.

Continue reading my full Film Review: The Young Victoria.