The Young Victoria is such a pretty movie to view. And sure enough, it won Best Achievement in Costume Design at the 2010 Oscars and was nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Makeup as well. The sets could swallow you whole with their grandeur - no doubt helped by the fact that many of them were real homes and castles. The film also focuses on a intriguing subject - the British monarchy - in particular Queen Victoria, whose reign began in 1837 and didn't end until 1901. This particular film chose to focus on the events leading up to her coronation and those first few years as Queen.
Victoria (Emily Blunt) is aware that she's next in line for the throne. Her mother (Miranda Richardson) is too, possibly even more so, as she's done everything possible to keep Victoria in a bubble - not just for her protection but in an attempt to mold Victoria into the leader she and the scheming Sir John Conroy would prefer her to be. Victoria is too aware and too smart to be an ideal piece of clay.
Blunt convincingly portrays the complexity of a young woman who refuses to be pushed around and enthusiastically wants what's best for her people while holding the knowledge that she has absolutely no practical experience at her job. She acknowledges duty but chooses to marry Albert (Rupert Friend), a man she loves. Their relationship makes for an endearing core to the story.
The choice to focus on that time is refreshing - since Queen Victoria movies don't usually focus on how she got there. And yet, this choice also makes the film a little awkward. I felt like things were just revving up when the movie ends. Showing the coronation at the beginning also steals some of the thunder. But still, it's an interesting watch with captivating performances by Blunt and Friend. And for the most part, it's even historically accurate.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: quiet, rainy afternoon viewing
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