Not a mere period film, The Young Victoria is the ultimate love story
Posted by The Skyliner on March 3rd, 2010Jordan Ecarma
Copy Editor
The Young Victoria may have historicity backing its plotline, but at heart it is truly a romance. However this film is no romance in the Harlequin paperback sense of the word. It is instead a quality love story that shows a relationship between a man and a woman at its purest and finest.
The woman, Victoria (played by Emily Blunt), is on the brink of becoming England’s queen. She is young, but strong of will and character.
This strength keeps her from being only a pretty pawn in the chess match that the game of kingdoms and royalty is compared to. It is a game where the stakes are unimaginably high and where Victoria happens to be the most important piece.
The people controlling her include her mother, her private secretary and even her lady-in-waiting. They oversee every aspect of her life, and Victoria justifiably compares it to being in prison.
The concept of prison is brought up again when Victoria meets Prince Albert of Germany (played by Rupert Friend). His uncle is determined that Albert marry Victoria.
At first, Victoria and Albert shy away from the idea,because they seem to have been chosen for each other without their consent.
“You don’t think I’ve come this far to walk straight into another jail?” protests Victoria.
Albert and victoria begin corresponding through letters and soon become each other’s confidantes.
The story told by The Young Victoria carries themes about women’s strength and equality as well as the importance of the common person.
It is also a period film, built on fact and featuring lavish Victorian costumes that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design. But the heart of this film is not found in its political or historical touches.
Victoria is at its core the most exquisite of love stories, and perhaps the nicest thing about this fairytale is that it actually happened. The dialogue between Albert and Victoria manages to be heady and believable at once.
“You are my whole existence,” he tells her.
He also shows his love for her through action, throwing himself into the path of a would-be assassin’s bullet to save her. The love scenes are delicately done, sensual in their very subtlety.
Blunt plays Victoria with charm and grace, while Friend brings a quiet strength to Albert. The chemistry between the two is the most powerful component of the film.
The Young Victoria is the story of a new queen and her conflicted rise to power. It tells the value of a woman’s strength and shows the weight that comes with having authority.
At the end of the film, however, the most memorable part is the honest love shown by Albert and Victoria for each other. It is rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence and brief language and smoking.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 6