Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/25/09 Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking Running Time 100 Minutes Genre Drama Director Jean-Marc Vallee Writer Julian Fellowes Cast Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent, Thomas Kretschmann, Mark Strong Studio Apparition |
THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009)
SYNOPSIS
In The Young Victoria, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears
Prada) delivers an incredibly appealing performance
as Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her
reign. Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice) portrays Prince
Albert, the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her
partner in one of history’s greatest romances. This
love story, set amongst all the intrigue of the court,
also features Paul Bettany (Iron Man, The Da Vinci
Code), Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire), Jim Broadbent (The Damned United, The
Chronicles of Narnia), Thomas Kretschmann (Valkyrie),
and Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Tristan & Isolde).
--©Apparition
In The Young Victoria, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears
Prada) delivers an incredibly appealing performance
as Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her
reign. Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice) portrays Prince
Albert, the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her
partner in one of history’s greatest romances. This
love story, set amongst all the intrigue of the court,
also features Paul Bettany (Iron Man, The Da Vinci
Code), Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire), Jim Broadbent (The Damned United, The
Chronicles of Narnia), Thomas Kretschmann (Valkyrie),
and Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Tristan & Isolde).
--©Apparition
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
The Young Victoria is a beautifully designed production of the early reign of Queen Victoria, who is
England’s longest reigning queen. The costume and set designs are magnificent. Emily Blunt (The Devil
Wears Prada) gives a stellar performance as the young, sheltered, inexperienced queen. Her mother
(Miranda Richardson; Fred Claus) and her controlling advisor, Sir John Conroy, (Mark Strong; Stardust,
Sherlock Holmes) have kept Princess Victoria under close supervision during her childhood, in hopes, to
manipulate her into signing a regency order allowing her mother to become her regent (a person who
rules if the ruler is too young, disabled or absent) until she reaches the age of twenty-five. She realizes
what Sir Conroy is trying to do and forbids him from influencing her in any way by keeping her mother at a
distance. After her uncle King William IV dies, Princess Victoria is crowned Queen at the young age of
eighteen. Her strong and stubborn attitude are what attract the soon to be love of her life, Prince Albert
(Rupert Friend; Pride and Prejudice). Queen Victoria and Prince Albert begin a long distance courtship
that is not the usual Hollywood romance but, a genuine and affectionate relationship that is enhanced by
Blunt and Friend’s on-screen chemistry. Queen Victoria takes politician, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany; A
Knights Tale, The Da Vinci Code), on as her trusting advisor. The English people do not care much for
Queen Victoria during her early reign and they believe Melbourne has too much influence on her. Albert is
also threatened by Melbourne because of his control over Victoria. Three years later, Victoria asks Albert
to marry her. Shortly after their marriage she is pregnant with their first child. Advised by Melbourne, she
allows Albert to assist her with her royal duties and they reign together for the next 20 years until his
death. The conflict between Friend, Bettany and Blunt is remarkable. The courtship of Queen Victoria
and Prince Albert is refreshing and not at all boring. The drama of a young Queen trying to make a
difference in England paired with a pleasurable courtship is enough to maintain the audience’s interest
throughout the entire film.
England’s longest reigning queen. The costume and set designs are magnificent. Emily Blunt (The Devil
Wears Prada) gives a stellar performance as the young, sheltered, inexperienced queen. Her mother
(Miranda Richardson; Fred Claus) and her controlling advisor, Sir John Conroy, (Mark Strong; Stardust,
Sherlock Holmes) have kept Princess Victoria under close supervision during her childhood, in hopes, to
manipulate her into signing a regency order allowing her mother to become her regent (a person who
rules if the ruler is too young, disabled or absent) until she reaches the age of twenty-five. She realizes
what Sir Conroy is trying to do and forbids him from influencing her in any way by keeping her mother at a
distance. After her uncle King William IV dies, Princess Victoria is crowned Queen at the young age of
eighteen. Her strong and stubborn attitude are what attract the soon to be love of her life, Prince Albert
(Rupert Friend; Pride and Prejudice). Queen Victoria and Prince Albert begin a long distance courtship
that is not the usual Hollywood romance but, a genuine and affectionate relationship that is enhanced by
Blunt and Friend’s on-screen chemistry. Queen Victoria takes politician, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany; A
Knights Tale, The Da Vinci Code), on as her trusting advisor. The English people do not care much for
Queen Victoria during her early reign and they believe Melbourne has too much influence on her. Albert is
also threatened by Melbourne because of his control over Victoria. Three years later, Victoria asks Albert
to marry her. Shortly after their marriage she is pregnant with their first child. Advised by Melbourne, she
allows Albert to assist her with her royal duties and they reign together for the next 20 years until his
death. The conflict between Friend, Bettany and Blunt is remarkable. The courtship of Queen Victoria
and Prince Albert is refreshing and not at all boring. The drama of a young Queen trying to make a
difference in England paired with a pleasurable courtship is enough to maintain the audience’s interest
throughout the entire film.
By Brenda Ladd