The Young Victoria

I have every single movie of Emily’s. While the movie isnt my favorite of hers, it’s still a pretty decent movie. The disk was perfect, no scratches

I avoid "romantic" comedies and other chick flicks like the plague because they are very rarely romantic. But I do love period movies, especially concerning the British monarchy (in particular the Tudors). I am only a little familiar with Queen Victoria, so I thought this film would be a great way to learn more about her. I never expected such a beautiful romance to be the heart of this film - truly a love story! That it is a true story makes it all the more compelling. Certainly, the filmmakers took some liberties and invented some scenes which historians cannot verify, but that they loved each other is not in doubt. After his early death, she remained in mourning for most of her very long reign.I agree with the majority of reviewers here: the setting, costumes and language are all astonishing. The acting is top notch, in particular the two stars. However, I also agree that the film could have had more substance to fulfill the romance. We see them fall in love, and her initial struggles finding her place as Queen, but I would have liked to see more of their work together that made her reign such a memorable, and eponymous time. However, the title is "The Young Victoria" and much of that happened later. They lay the foundation, and let history be the rest of the tale. That is not to say the film has no story or plot. The film does a good job of revealing the political machinations that embroiled her early days as queen, as she struggled to learn which advisers to trust, and the consequences of her actions. Also well done was how Albert became the constant in her life upon which she could rely.Overall, though more substance between the couple would have been welcome, it wasn't absolutely necessary. Viewers aren't promised something that is never delivered. A wonderful film that I highly recommend.UPDATE: I have since purchased the DVD and found it to be a great complement to the film. Many single disc editions skimp on extras, if they offer them at all. Though the featurettes here are brief (perhaps 10 minutes each), they add something to the overall film - especially helpful in knowing who's who and their place in the story. In particular, "The Real Queen Victoria Featurette" was clever in quoting from Victoria's actual diaries to provide a mini-documentary. The crown jewel here, however, is the deleted/extended scenes. There are quite a few, and most could easily have stayed in the film though I understand why they were cut. Many of these scenes concern the Lady Flora Hastings scandal of Victoria's early reign (you can read more on wikipedia about it), which while interesting and historically accurate, would have taken away from the love story the film was trying to tell.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film! Emily Blunt gave a stunning performance as Victoria, but Rupert Friend totally steals the show as Albert, in many ways a much more challenging role, I think. Albert was a complex, private person and his relationship with Victoria is all the more interesting, because while he dutifully pursued marriage with Victoria as his destined "career", he did not expect to fall in love or to be loved in their marriage. Friend does a marvelous job of portraying a very reserved, rational man suprised by his own powerful feelings, and of showing Albert's very dry but keen sense of humor. Many biographers/historians have suggested that Albert did not love Victoria as she did him, but I think this has much more to do with Albert's reserved, Germanic public persona than any historical reality, as is amply demonstrated in his letters and Victoria's journals. Friend does a marvelous job of revealing an Albert who loved Victoria deeply and was willing to make great sacrifices for her, but who also had the strength to stand up to her strong will and fiery temper, and not be pushed around. Both actors obviously did their homework on Victoria and Albert and I think very much captured the essence of their personalities. I also very much enjoyed Jim Broadbent and Harriet Walter's marvelous, feisty performances as King William and Queen Adelaide.One aspect of the film I found a bit jarring was the portrayal of Victoria's relationship with King Leopold and Baron Stockmar as being rather distant and hostile. While Victoria was quite determined to live her own life and not be a pawn in their (or anyone else's) political schemes, she actually had a very affectionate relationship with her uncle Leopold both before and after her marriage, and Stockmar was a lifelong friend and confidant of both Victoria and Albert and helped them through many of their early marital difficulties. Their manipulative attitude toward Albert and their obsessive focus on grooming him for marriage to Victoria was historically accurate, and Rupert Friend's portrayal of the young Albert's attitude toward their "training" is one of the funniest parts of the film.I highly recommend Stanley Weintraub's biographies of both Victoria and Albert for those wanting the real historical background for the film. Sarah Ferguson's book Victoria and Albert: Life at Osborne House is also a well-researched and beautifully illustrated book about their marriage and family life.There is a bit of minor chronological rearrangement to cram about 5 years of historical material into less than 2 hours, for which I think Julian Fellowes can be easily forgiven, and some slight embellishment of real events for dramatic effect (eg Prince Albert did attempt to shield Victoria in the assassination attempt but was not actually shot, Albert was not present at Victoria's coronation) but I didn't find it detracted from the story. Much of the script is actually verbatim historical record (King William's drunken outburst at the banquet, Conroy's attempt to force Victoria to sign an order making him Regent) and Fellowes included these bits unaltered, to his credit--they are fabulously dramatic, just as they are.Costuming is gorgeous and well-researched, the film is a visual treat. A real must-see!

I really enjoyed this film, great cast great acting and interesting story. Well worth watching a film for for all the family

This is a particularly good film and very well acted.

Simply stunning acting from Emily Blunt.

Brilliant film!

good