Movie Review: Young Victoria
Jan. 12th, 2010 02:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ericadawn16The Young Victoria, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, is a Nineteenth century Cinderella story and a perfectly done one at that. Young Victoria of Kent (Emily Blunt) may not be penniless or drowning in chores, but she is domineered by her mother (Miranda Richardson) and the true mastermind behind the mistreatment, Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong). As they constantly remind the princess, they "only want what's best for you." What's best for her appears to coincide with what's best for them; for Victoria to believe herself unfit to rule until age 25 and agree to a regency. Regency would mean that her mother and Sir John would rule England. To help make this plan a reality, their tyrannical regime includes rules for Victoria, including only walking up and down stairs holding someone's hand, having all food tested first and not reading any novels. This is all done with the intention of keeping Victoria weak and child-like. Her mother even sits without a single word as Conroy exerts physical violence upon the future queen.
The audience can't help rooting for this teenager to become a woman and cast off these shackles. Young Victoria agrees, often telling telling her aides, "When I am Queen..." In a nice show of pacing, it's not long before we meet Albert (Rupert Friend), distant cousin of Victoria through her mom's side and first choice of the King of Belgium for Victoria to marry. Being connected with her mother and their plans for controlling her, it is logical to want to hate Albert. Albert is another pawn in the game being played between the King of England and his uncle; forced to learn Victoria's every like and dislike and being trained on everything he should or should not say. It would be easy to equate him with the true villains yet Friend and the script do not allow this to happen. Instead, Albert is quite likable and empathetic in his plight that so closely resembles Victora's. This makes it even more pleasant since any lover of English history or viewer of Doctor Who knows the ending to this story.
As Queen, Victoria has another male suitor to contend with, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). He's older, wiser and eager to impart his knowledge on the new monarch. She is grateful for this help until she realizes what this partnership could cost her and their fundamental difference in values. Still, Lord Melbourne provides a perfect foil to Albert; old vs. young, English vs. German, her paternal family's choice vs. her maternal family's choice.
Naturally, being a British production, one is required to cast Jim Broadbent and this film is no exception. He plays the king who must die in order for Victoria to become queen. It is a brief but memorable role. It is also the only time that star power rears its head. The other well-known stars, Richardson and Bettany, meld into their roles in such an unrecognizable way that several in the theatre were surprised to learn which characters they played.
Any period production worth its salt must have gorgeous costuming and production values. This film is no exception; from the many dresses that make up Victoria’s wardrobe that were insured for 10,000 pounds each to the wax seals on the letters exchanged to the opulence of Buckingham Palace; Queen Victoria was its very first resident.
However, the biggest surprise of the film lay in the modernity of it. The script is quite funny. Despite her enforced ignorance growing up, Queen Victoria shows a wit even if the only one around to hear her is the dog. Both she and her suitors experience situations that easily fit in any situational comedy. Even the editing has a more up to date feel with shorter shots to assist the pacing where others may be tempted to linger. The film was a joy to see in every aspect.
One last note; despite its popularity, Queen Victoria does not utter her famous quote, "We are not amused."
The audience can't help rooting for this teenager to become a woman and cast off these shackles. Young Victoria agrees, often telling telling her aides, "When I am Queen..." In a nice show of pacing, it's not long before we meet Albert (Rupert Friend), distant cousin of Victoria through her mom's side and first choice of the King of Belgium for Victoria to marry. Being connected with her mother and their plans for controlling her, it is logical to want to hate Albert. Albert is another pawn in the game being played between the King of England and his uncle; forced to learn Victoria's every like and dislike and being trained on everything he should or should not say. It would be easy to equate him with the true villains yet Friend and the script do not allow this to happen. Instead, Albert is quite likable and empathetic in his plight that so closely resembles Victora's. This makes it even more pleasant since any lover of English history or viewer of Doctor Who knows the ending to this story.
As Queen, Victoria has another male suitor to contend with, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). He's older, wiser and eager to impart his knowledge on the new monarch. She is grateful for this help until she realizes what this partnership could cost her and their fundamental difference in values. Still, Lord Melbourne provides a perfect foil to Albert; old vs. young, English vs. German, her paternal family's choice vs. her maternal family's choice.
Naturally, being a British production, one is required to cast Jim Broadbent and this film is no exception. He plays the king who must die in order for Victoria to become queen. It is a brief but memorable role. It is also the only time that star power rears its head. The other well-known stars, Richardson and Bettany, meld into their roles in such an unrecognizable way that several in the theatre were surprised to learn which characters they played.
Any period production worth its salt must have gorgeous costuming and production values. This film is no exception; from the many dresses that make up Victoria’s wardrobe that were insured for 10,000 pounds each to the wax seals on the letters exchanged to the opulence of Buckingham Palace; Queen Victoria was its very first resident.
However, the biggest surprise of the film lay in the modernity of it. The script is quite funny. Despite her enforced ignorance growing up, Queen Victoria shows a wit even if the only one around to hear her is the dog. Both she and her suitors experience situations that easily fit in any situational comedy. Even the editing has a more up to date feel with shorter shots to assist the pacing where others may be tempted to linger. The film was a joy to see in every aspect.
One last note; despite its popularity, Queen Victoria does not utter her famous quote, "We are not amused."
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no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 08:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 09:03 pm (UTC)I've always been kind of "eh" about him before, but he really disappeared into his role here. It was wonderful to see. It was like we were really watching Victoria and Albert.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 09:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 09:53 pm (UTC)That's because... she never said "We are not amused." Yes, it's true! Despite being crushed by Albert's death, Victoria retained a good sense of humour and she always loved to laugh.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 09:58 pm (UTC)Ahem.
Now that said, I didn't see the movie, but I was very curious about it. Thanks for the review, now I'm even more curious about it. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 10:38 pm (UTC)It takes place in Québec of 1960-70-80. It's the story of Zac, and his relation with his father and the rest of his family. Lot of people said the theme of the movie was homosexuality (because Zac is gay) but it really is about father/son relationship. The acting, the soundtrack, the story is amazing.
(Yes, I loved it, and it made me a little bit prouder of being a Québécoise...
And Marc-André Grondin, the lead actor, really isn't bad looking ;)
Preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCvQ2OpCj8A&feature=related
Epic Scene, because really, who never did that?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i4skKRMvJQ&feature=related
no subject
Date: 2010-01-12 10:41 pm (UTC)