THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009)

The Young Victoria, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, turns out to be more history and less romance than perhaps the unwitting DVD renter might suspect, with a rather long build-up to the much-anticipated consummation of the love affair between the famously prudish queen and her German suitor. One wonders how much of what went on in the bedroom between the young monarch and her consort is speculation by the screenwriter and how much is fact, yet a little more delving into that area would have made the film more satisfying indeed. Most people think of the Victorian era as a time in which the exposing of an ankle was considered terribly shocking, even though breasts heaved above tightly corseted bodices. The young Princess Victoria was certainly sheltered in every way a political pawn and potential figurehead of her country could be and perhaps this kind of over-protectiveness led to her reputed priggishness in matters of sexuality. However, this film doesn't really show that side of Victoria. It does depict her confusion over whom to choose as her life partner, manipulated as she was by her mother, as well as by other members of the royal family and the government in power at that time. It is all that manipulation and intrigue that rather muddy the story, because, unless you know a lot about British history, it's somewhat confusing. If the filmmaker had focused more on the emotional life of Victoria and Albert in their struggle to get to know each other in spite of all the interference, it would have been more intriguing.

If the filmmaker had focused more on the emotional life of Victoria and Albert in their struggle to get to know each other in spite of all the interference, it would have been more intriguing. Fortunately, when Albert and Victoria's decision to marry is reached, the depiction of their nuptials, wedding night and honeymoon are worth sticking out all the rest. Though not overtly sexual, the bedroom scenes are sensual, sweet and visually sumptuous, and we are left only wanting more of this level of romance. Emily Blunt as Victoria was an excellent casting choice. The actress of The Devil Wears Prada fame portrayed a lovely innocence, as well as a strong character, and the compassion that the queen had for the downtrodden of her country is at moments achingly etched across her face, which, though not at all times Hollywood gorgeous, is certainly a pretty one. Rupert Friend (Mr Wickham in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice) as Prince Albert is subtly sexy in spite of a fairly ridiculous hairstyle. He makes you root for him: his awkward shyness, his compassionate morality, how he had to learn to waltz in order to woo his bride. Miranda Richardson as Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, is by turns wicked and pathetic. This actress always turns out a strong performance, and she certainly is a stand-out in this film, as are Jim Broadbent as the tender and fearsome King William, and Paul Bettany as the scheming Lord Melbourne. The movie has a fast-paced editing style that helps the story along and gives it a modern feel. It is a film that seems intended to appeal to a younger audience, though it may not ultimately succeed. At the very least it makes you think that Queen Victoria had a better time in the bedroom than previously assumed, perhaps contradicting the mindset that created the unfortunate Victorian wedding night advice, "lie back and think of England".

Movie reviewed by Georgina Young-Ellis

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