Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly surprised, 12 Jul 2009
Well, I came to this one rather dreading it. National critics had given it something of a bashing. But it is super!
Young Victoria was the only surviving issue of several sons of George III ("Farmer George"). Two of her uncles, George IV (who made Brighton Pavilion) and his brother William IV (known as the "Sailor King" and "Silly Billy") had preceded her as monarch. Unfortunately for Victoria, her father, the Duke of Kent, died very early and her mother, the Duchess, fell under the spell of - not to put too fine a point on it - a conman in the shape of (later knighted as "Sir") John Conroy. Sensing the prospect of power, the two of them raised poor Victoria in a repressive background at Kensington Palace, dubbing their tyrannical regime "The Kensington System."
This is where the film starts. I loved it. Victoria is played with emotional literacy and verve by Emily Blunt. Miranda Richardson is restrained and blinkered as the Duchess and Mark Strong makes a villainous Conroy, slapping Victoria as she refuses to sign a document making him Regent.
Several of the other actors are so good that their identity in the cast list came as a PLEASANT SURPRISE (hence the title of this review). Jim Broadbent is great as crusty old William IV, asking God to let him hang on until May, when Victoria comes of age. (Thankfully, she did - and banished Conroy from her Court on her accession.) Michael Maloney puts in good work as Sir Robert Peel who Victoria clashes with politically. Paul Bettany is fabulous, if somewhat too young, as Lord Melbourne, Victoria's adviser and crush.
But the honours go to the dashing Rupert Friend, wonderful as Prince Albert. Albert - German and Royal and not popular with Parliament - is utterly rehabilitated in this film. It's a beautiful love story in a historical setting. The romance is made all the more poignant by the knowledge that Albert died after he and Victoria had ruled for 20 years. She mourned him for the rest of her life. On the morning afer their wedding night, he lies motionless in bed, almost a precursor of his death, as she passionately surveys him.
The loveliness of romance is underpinned by solid history and politics. The production values are superb, the research admirable, the storytelling gripping.
So what if it's revisionist in some respects? I won't be pedantic. But if you see it and like it, carry on to Christopher Hibbert's superb Queen Victoria: A Personal History and the somewhat less marvellous Becoming Queen (a bit novelettish for me).
Definitely one to enjoy.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
After All These Years Finally Prince Albert gets the Respect He Deserves, 24 Jun 2009
I worked at The Victoria and Albert Museum for two and a half years.After realising Prince Alberts contribution to the V+A and to society as a whole.I learned to love and respect that wonderful man.Studying the books written about Prince Albert in the museum library I realised that for many years after his dealh historians were not kind to him.
The V+A gallery dedicated to Prince Albert's legacy was removed after Queen Victoria's death.The 1997 Museum director even wanted to change the name of the museum!
For many years I have thought when would modern society realise the genius and humanity of Prince Albert.This film had a lot of territory to cover to so, you have to read in between the lines sometimes. But the film undoughtedly shows the deep love and dedication that Prince Albert had for Queen Victoria and the deep ,deep heart that Prince Albert had for all of humanity.
You must see the DVD!!!Buy it and show it to everyone and the world will be a better place.
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46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Love Story, 6 Mar 2009
I saw this film at the cinema, and it wasn't just me saying it was a great film. I overheard everyone leaving the cinema, and everyone was saying that it was fantastic. I wouldn't consider myself a royalist (and didn't know anything about Queen Victoria), however I still thoroughly enjoyed this film of her younger years. The acting was superb, the costumes stunning and the locations superb. You also couldn't beat the fabulous music, in particular the choir rendition of 'Zadok The Priest' which gave me goosebumps.
Don't think for a second that as it is a period film there is a lot of doom and gloom, because it is quite the opposite. This is a beautiful love story, with quite a lot of humour in it. Overall as far as period drama's go, this is one of the best.
One of my favourite scenes was the ball scene where Princess Victoria and Albert have their first dance. It was a heartstopping moment to say the least, and that is when she realises just how much she likes him.
The film shows how lighthearted Victoria was in her younger years with that spring in her step, whilst at the same time pursuing her duty of becoming Queen and knowing her responsibilities. Albert also knows his responsibilities, and is initially thrust upon her, but upon their first meeting is immediately smitten. Albert has plans of how he can help people, in particular the poorer communities. When Queen Victoria's reign is dealt a blow due to her over-reliance and flirtations with Prime Minister Melbourne (and as a result every person in the street is threatening her safety), Prince Albert saves the monarchy and Queen Victoria proposes. They become the perfect partnership, helping each other, and sharing the same vision by helping those less fortunate.
Highly Recommended.
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