contemporary world cinema for salmon arm |
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The Young Victoria
Country:
United Kingdom
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Closing night film of 2009 Toronto International Film Festival Acclaimed directory Jean-Marc Vallee (C.R.A.Z.Y.) returns with The Young Victoria , a delicate and romantic look at England's last golden age. The film stars the charismatic Emily Blunt ( The Jane Austen Book Club ) as Victoria and follows her struggle to succeed as the ruler of England, a quest blocked by her mother, The Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson, Paris, je t'aime ) and her odious “advisor”, Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day ). Widowed at a young age, the Duchess has been convinced by Conroy that she must at all costs keep Victoria away from the court in order to preserve her own position despite the complaints of King William IV (Jim Broadbent, Vera Drake) , Victoria's uncle, who clearly wants his niece to succeed him. When Victoria is finally crowned, she's unaware of the potential ramifications of her actions and allows herself to be misled by the dashing Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany, A Beautiful Mind ) who may be using her youth and inexperience to further enhance his own position. Enter Prince Albert (Rupert Friend, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas ) who charms Victoria by refusing to stick to the script given him by his scheming relations. The Young Victoria gives us an in-depth portrait of the often ruthless machinations that have characterized the dealings between royal families. But Vallee's film is also a truthful romance; from the very first meeting, we sense a mutual bond between Albert and Victoria, despite the restrictions placed on their interaction. The film is a memorable, sophisticated and charming exploration of English history. “Anyone who complains they don't make love stories like they used to will get a kick out of The Young Victoria . D. Elley, Variety |
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