The Young Victoria

I'm a total sucker for the sumptuous scenery and costumes of a British period drama, so this was right up my alley. Wonderful performances and a touching and romantic true story. I kind of want a sequel. The Middle-Aged Victoria, anyone?

Dynamic re-telling of the events that led to the most flourishing passage in Britain's history, with gorgeous scenery and terrific performances. A more precise direction would have benefitted the film, but it's still a very interesting one nonetheless.

A testament to the capacity of British thespians, specifically Blunt, Friend, Bettany, Richardson, Strong, Walter, Broadbent, among others, to play any dry and droning history lesson as if it were Shakespeare. (Don't look to Blunt to do what Judi Dench didn't do in Mrs. Brown, speak the Queen's English as a second language. Herr feerst vass Churman.) The rather bland love story ultimately nudges out the pungent family relations, and the only goose bumps come courtesy of Handel and high volume.

Fine costume drama, distinguished by another wonderful performance from Blunt, and a fine array of supporting actors, especially Broadbent as a dottery, drunken king. The film lacks the passion and/or political intrigue that mark the best in this genre, but given the material at its core doesn't lend itself to these things (it's essentially a fairly straightforward courtship story) it remains very enjoyable, if not quite as gripping as you might like.

Vallée's direction is finely structured, luxuriating in the elegant art direction and costume design without getting overburdened by it. He mostly focuses on the woman rising to the throne, played nicely by Blunt. She manages to make the period dialogue feel nicely natural, playing each moment honestly, keeping even the biggest scenes free of deadening pomposity. However, she doesn't manage to dig especially deeply into the role either. It's as much fine presentation as earthy performance.