Genre: Drama/Romance
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson, Mark Strong, Thomas Kretschmann, Jeanette Hain, Rachael Stirling
RunTime: 1 hr 40 mins
Released By: Shaw
Rating: PG

Opening Day: 21 May 2009

Synopsis:

The Young Victoria chronicles Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne, focusing on the early turbulent years of her reign and her legendary romance and marriage to Prince Albert.

Movie Review:

No matter how lavishly filmed, The Young Victoria would suffer from being pegged as a boring history lesson type of film. It’s a pity for those who decided to miss this movie due to the above mention reservations as The Young Victoria was rather accessible and intriguing in it’s own way.

Even for those who are unaware of what Queen Victoria’s reign in England had represented, The Young Victoria made it breezy and entertaining to explore the trials and tribulation that the young queen had faced. Newbies to the historic relevance of the English monarchy might get a little lost at times while trying to figure out the importance of various characters and events that occurred but not to worry, all will be delightfully answered as the show progressed.

Particularly the manipulation and power struggle among the royalties that often blurs the line on loyalty for the young queen. It makes one wonder who could she trust when everyone around her are seemly trying to get into her good books in order to manipulate her. It also makes one sympathize with this young girl who been thrust into this mighty position and power struggle; just because she was born into it.

As the manipulative events twist and turns around the young queen, The Young Victoria sought solace in romance which was a welcome break from the bureaucracies. The romance between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert felt rather restrained but the chemistry between Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend was definitely bubbling beneath all those royalties constrain.

Besides the accessible story telling aspect of The Young Victoria, the various technical aspects of this film also stood out. The fanciful costume designs, the impressive set pieces and the breathtaking sceneries are deserved a special mention and should gather some awards in the future.

However, there are aspects of this film that weren’t that well accomplished. Certain events felt like it had been fast forwarded or briefly touched upon. Such as the marriage between the Queen and the Prince felt like it happened very quickly with very little opposition; especially after we have been shown so much power wrestle in the royal families and government.

The ending of The Young Victoria was also a mixed bag. It ended rather too abruptly and make one wonder where’s that cinematic climax that one usually aspect from a movie. However it has it’s own merits in such sudden and un-cinematic end. This is the story of Queen Victoria’s early days in power and if the show was to proceed on, the film could been title as The Queen Victoria instead. Although one might have missed that climatic bit till it’s over, it’s still in it’s own ways; a sweet touch on the love that the Queen and Prince shared.

In closing, The Young Victoria didn’t turn out to be a draggy history lesson about the English monarchy but folks with certain prior knowledge would probably enjoy more than those who goes in with a blank page. It might not be the best film about Queen Victoria but it’s entertaining in it’s own right and very accessible for newcomers.

Movie Rating:



(Lavishly filmed and accessible to those who are new to the Queen Victoria’s life)

Review by Richard Lim Jr