Movie Review: The Young Victoria

Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. John and Abigail Adams. While we often focus on spectacular failures of marriages, such as poor Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, we don’t often celebrate the spectacular successes. One such wildly successful marriage that affected the world is brought to life in a quiet but satisfying costume drama, “The Young Victoria.” The film tells the story of England’s Queen Victoria and her courtship and early marriage to her precious Prince Albert.

Emily Blunt, who has already won a Golden Globe nomination for her work in the film, plays Victoria as a spunky, sparkly, strong-willed teenager with just enough self-doubt to make her appealing. Her vibrant acting breathes life into a film that could have been merely a dull period piece.

Victoria, at seventeen, struggles with the burden of her destiny as well as the knowledge that nearly everyone around her wishes to influence or control her. Ascending to the throne at barely eighteen, she feels unprepared for the responsibility of monarchy, but determined to step into history.

It’s a lot for a mere slip of a girl to carry.

Into this mix, her uncle, king of Belgium, sends her cousin, German Prince Albert (Rupert Friend), with specific instructions to marry the future queen. Under a societal microscope that Miley Cyrus or Chelsea Clinton would recognize, the two get to know each other.

Albert is relieved to find that Victoria is worthy of his respect, determined and eager to learn how to reign well, and a lot of fun as well. Victoria appreciates Albert’s insight and advice, and even more, his respect. However, the young queen is wary of giving up her autonomy to anyone. Worried about people controlling her, she delays their engagement.

Victoria’s realization that marriage to Albert does not diminish her but empowers her forms the heart of the story. As they learn to trust each other and work together, she gains confidence to step into the role that destiny has prepared for her.

History records the result: A twenty-year marriage ended with the death of Albert and the subsequent heartbreak of his wife. She remained in mourning for the rest of her long life. Their nine children married royalty all over Europe. But even more, the moral tone that Victoria set dovetailed with a period of great reforms in England that spread to the rest of the world, including labor reform, poverty relief, and the abolition of slavery.

This is a sweet little movie, although admittedly lacking in explosions, blue-green CGI warriors, singing frog princesses, or homeless football players. As a portrait of a union that went the distance, however, it excels.