The Young Victoria: A Movie Review

Hey Girls! You all voted on the side-bar poll for more book and movie reviews, so I thought I'd obleege you by posting a review of one of my favorite new(er) movies. That movie, my dahlings, is The Young Victoria.

First off, you have not lived Period Drama Costumes until you have watched this movie. That's all. You have not grown to love Queen Victoria after whom the Victorian Era is named until you've seen this movie. That's all. You have no idea that Prince Albert was so entirely amazing until you've seen this movie. That's all. *"be still, my heart, I'm hardly breathing.."* ;)

Emily Blunt as the young Queen, and Rupert Friend  as Prince Albert

The movie (obviously) covers the younger life of Queen Victoria--the most beloved queen (arguably) in England's history. There are politics galore, lots of intermarrying, and quite a few treasonous people. The first time I watched Y.V (Young Victoria, people. I'm just a wee bit weary of typing that title over and over :) I was horribly confused and befuddled and breathless.

Then why do I love this movie? Because I realized quite afterward that I watched it while coming out of anesthesia from my wisdom-teeth surgery. Not the sharpest crayon in the box, but oh well. I guess it affected my better judgement. This called for a re-watch. And it was not that confusing after all. You can certainly understand the most of it if you're not drugged and in terrible pain. :D

Albert and Victoria have a fascinating life together. I have always admired the young queen's valiance, determination, and loyalty to her people and her country. I didn't know that much about Albert except that he's rather a nice chap on a whole. This movie convinced me that Albert and Victoria are my favorite couple in all of (true) history. Period. Their love is so sweet--actually, Victoria is rather young and selfish once she gains her throne but Albert loves her through it and eventually she learns to take his advice rather than rely on her own favorite: Lord Melbourne. There is actually a fantabulous scene where Lord M. admits he has used Victoria for his own political pursuits and that she ought to realize what a wise, kind husband she has. It's my favorite scene from that movie, almost! :)

So now for a closer look. The costumes, as I mentioned before, are drool-worthy. Take a look at some of these beauties:

This has got to be my favorite--the color is breathtaking.

A closer view of the gold-rose ballgown....

It is simply delicious.

Emily Blunt looking lovely in green silk... :)

She looks so sweet and girlish in this simple dress. :)

There are so many beautiful dresses (and a few strange ones. :D) The hairstyles are also a tad weird, but that is explainable, as they are period correct. :)

There are dozens off characters so I will not try to show them all to you. I just want to hone in on four. First off, Victoria's mother, The Duchess of Kent, played by Miranda Richardson.

She is a cold, frightened, rather pliable woman who is under the thumb of her adviser, Sir John Conroy. She and Victoria's relationship is rocky at best, but somehow you feel sorry for her through it all. Especially in this little scene where you realize how much the Duchess really did love her daughter:

Sir John Conroy: [watching the crowd outside the palace] How changeable they are. They hate you, they love you, they hate you.
Duchess of Kent: They punished her. They never hated her.

Next is Sir John Conroy himself:

At first I was laughing because Sir John is such a different part than that Mark Strong played in Emma as Mr. Knightley, but it soon because evident that he was perfect for the part of a cruel, influential, manipulative adviser. I even have him staked out for Mr. Murdstone if they ever make another version of David Copperfield. Bwahaha. ;)

Lord Melbourne, played by Paul Bettany, is Victoria's Prime Minister.

He is a charming, officious, not bad-hearted version of Sir John Conroy. As in, he manipulates Victoria and tries to sway her political views, as seen in this quote:

Queen Victoria: I do want to help them, whatever you say. And not just the laboring poor, but the hungry and the homeless, and... There are people who are lost, and whose business is it to see to their welfare?
Lord Melbourne: Well, in my experience, ma'am, it's best to let these things develop naturally. If you interfere, you risk overturning the cart.
Queen Victoria: Well, Prince Albert doesn't agree. He's made a study of the working man's condition, he's full to the brim with ideas for their improvement.
Lord Melbourne: Is he indeed? How inspiring.

He's such a schemer, but Albert sets him straight in the end. Oh Albert! Now I get to talk about him, okay? :) Rupert Friend was The Albert.

I don't see how anyone else could have played him. Funny, because I first saw this actor as Mr. Wickham in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and was disgusted with him. But as Albert, Rupert Friend is unrivaled. He even got the slight Belgian accent down to a "T". Albert is everything Victoria needed in a husband: faithful, gentle, wise, insistent. He even ***SPOILER ALERT*** intentionally takes a bullet that was meant for his Queen. *sniff sniff sniff* ***END OF SPOILER***
He handls Lord Melbourne brilliantly:

Lord Melbourne: Your Highness, there's your opening if you'll take my advice...
Prince Albert: Lord Melbourne, forgive me but you seem to have confused me with a member of your club. I am not your drinking companion nor your whist partner. I am the husband of your sovereign. And as such, I will make my own decisions, and I neither seek nor invite your advice. Good evening.

Yes. That is my Albert. :) Love him for me!

There are so many amazing parts in this movie that I could share all the quotes in the movie with you and still not have said enough. :) But I don't want to entirely spoil it for you, so I'll leave you with a few quotes at the end of this review. :)
So now we come down to the pins and needles of this film. What are the cons? What things are wrong with it? Of course Victoria was not a very submissive wife (partly what her position demanded) and of course she was not very kind to her mother, and of course she leaned on her Prime Minister rather than her husband for wisdom and advice. But all these issues are worked out in the movie in a fabulous, unmatchable way, so I don't count them as cons. Therefore, the only thing I can say in opposition to the film is that the dresses are a bit low, and there are several long(er) kissing scenes, one of which occurs in bed. (Though since the characters are married and fully dressed I didn't have *such* a problem with. We usually fast-forward though)
The Young Victoria is a film that every Victorian-era lover should see, and one that is destined to go down as a rich, elegant, heart-warming classic. Go watch it and be enthralled. :)

Quotables:

Sir John Conroy: [outraged] I cannot believe I'm being subjected to this interrogation!
Prince Albert: [sitting behind a desk, piled with papers] You're not being subjected to anything, Sir John. You have been in charge of the Duchess's finances for many years. Indeed, you have made public statements testifying to their health.
Sir John Conroy: I have!
Duchess of Kent: And I am so grateful.
Prince Albert: All I am asking is that you will be so good as to tell us exactly where the money has gone.

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! 

Prince Albert: "For Pity's sake, smile woman. Anyone would think we'd have quarreled!" ;)

*I saved the best quote of all for last. :)*

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: I should find one to play it with you, not for you.