Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee
Queen Victoria is to date England’s longest reigning monarch and as a consequence, she has been largely remembered as the old matriarch who was ‘not amused’. Writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) and French Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallee have teamed up with Fergie to create a lavish indulgence that goes back to the beginning of her reign and the events that occurred just before the coronation. It looks at some of the people who were eager to manipulate the young Victoria (commandingly portrayed by Emily Blunt) as well as the brewing romance between her and the Belgian soon-to-be-Prince Albert (Rupert Friend).
The romance between Victoria and Albert is established over a game of chess but even the charming Albert has been given an agenda by those wishing to use him to influence Victoria. This however is put on hold when Victoria becomes monarch and the current Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bethany), takes the place of advisor and friend to the young queen. Some things can’t be denied, particularly the political crisis that happened early in Queen Victoria’s reign and the fact that Victoria and Albert did marry, but I would suggest that there have been liberal amounts of conjecture as to what actually happened in private.
Nevertheless, all the royal palaces have been dusted off and costume makers have been given months of employment to recreate the clothes of the era and produce some exquisite creations. Everything in this film looks great, particularly Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend as the young Victoria and Albert. Their romance remains at the centre of the film while the domestic and political events spin in and out of orbit around them. I’m sure it is nothing like their real lives, but the film weaves such a great romance, who cares?
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