Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2009

©2008 GK Films, LLC All Rights Reserved

Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée takes a novel approach to the period costume drama with this tale of the early years of Queen Victoria: historical accuracy. OK, I’m pretty sure the Queen and Prince Albert were not quite as attractive as (the very excellent) Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend, but the rest of this appealing and sumptuous political passion play (screenplay by Julian Fellowes—Gosford Park) is presented with welcome restraint (Martin Scorsese and Fergie produced). This story doesn’t need sexing up. It begins with Victoria at 17. Her uncle, King William IV (Jim Broadbent), is on his last legs, and the court vultures are already squabbling over who will control the obviously too-green queen-to-be. Leading the flock is her conniving mother (Miranda Richardson) and her consort Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong), who wish to rule as regents. Once crowned, however, Victoria turns her back on them and accepts the counsel of the smarmy Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). It is not until her (arranged but loving) marriage to the Belgian Albert that she begins to develop into the world-changing monarch we all know and love. Not a thriller, but it easily kept my interest.