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THE YOUNG VICTORIA PG, Some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking 1:40



David, my long-suffering partner, is fond of telling everyone that I haven't seen a period piece that I haven't loved. That isn't exactly true, there have been a few I haven't been crazy about, most recently "Bright Star". Now, however, IF you read his review, you will find that he is a HUGE fan of this particular period piece.

Queen Victoria (Emily Blunt), Britain's longest-reigning monarch to date, inherits the throne at the tender age of eighteen. Her mother, Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson) and her mother's consort, Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong) try desperately to convince Victoria to abdicate her power to them until she gains some experience. Thankfully, she does not because Conroy is a power-hungry misogynist.

Because of her position and youth, many men wish to be her supreme confidante, especially Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), a member of Parliament who surrounds Victoria with ladies-in-waiting chosen from his political party only. She is also pursued romantically by her cousin, Prince Albert (Rupert Friend), the son of her father's brother, King Leopold of Belgium (Thomas Kretschmann). He sees an opportunity to unite forces and family, and encourages Albert to woo Victoria. Albert is reluctant until he meets Victoria, whom he falls for almost immediately. She, in turn, has the same feelings for him, but puts him off for a while so she can gain her footing after being crowned queen.

Putting aside for a moment the exquisite costumes by Academy Award winner Sandy Powell ("Shakespeare in Love" and "Aviator"), this film directed by Jean-Marc Vallee and written by Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park"), is much more than a silly fluff piece about a young girl assuming the throne of England. Blunt is perfectly suited for the role and she manages to convey the angst the real Victoria must have felt at such an undertaking. She has really come into her own as an actress. The joke around our house amongst David, our daughter and me is one of her very funny scenes from "The Devil Wears Prada" --- "I'm hearing this, when I want to hear this!" --- meaning we want one of us to stop talking.

Friend is a superb partner for Blunt. They have a true chemistry and as we watch them, we believe that they are truly in love. Prince Albert was the love of Victoria's life, and it shows with these two actors. Jim Broadbent has a small but pivotal role as Victoria's uncle, King William, whom she succeeds. As always, he is marvelous, especially when he's publicly berating the Duchess of Kent. We get immediately that they loathe each other, which is a tribute to Richardson, as well.

This is a beautiful film. The cinematography is lush, the pomp and circumstance majestic, and oh --- those costumes are divine! There will be a multitude of movie choices this holiday season, but do not let this one pass you by.

Opinion: Strong See It Now!


British actress Emily Blunt is best known by American audiences as the nemesis co-worker of Anne Hathaway in "The Devil Wears Prada", starring Meryl Streep. Since then she has had relatively small parts in quality films like "Charlie Wilson's War" and "The Great Buck Howard". Now she gets her just due as the title character in "The Young Victoria", portraying the longest-reigning female monarch in world history. And the 26-year-old Blunt is perfectly radiant in the role.

If you're a period piece movie buff, as I am (every so often I'll remind people that Jeanne has never met a period piece she didn't like), and especially if you revered 2005's "Pride & Prejudice", as I did, you must see "The Young Victoria" on the big screen. Along with her co-star Rupert Friend, who was born to play roles like Prince Albert in this film, Blunt is astonishing as she grows from a 14-year-old protected child to a confident, compassionate and capable ruler of England, overseeing many civil improvements for her people. Thus began the Victorian age of Great Britain.

Blunt is so natural in this role that it should propel her to widespread stardom. No less than Streep herself proclaimed Blunt as the best young actress she's ever seen ---- in fact, she has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for this role. At a tender age, Emily Blunt is destined for great things on the silver screen.

Meanwhile, the rest of the cast is superb. Friend is terrific as the Belgian prince (born in Germany) assigned to woo the young queen for political purposes, but soon finds himself enamored with her looks and personality. Not one to be typecast as a period player, Friend played Lt. Kotler in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", a memorable role for his anguished position as a German soldier uncomfortable with his Nazi superiors.

Jim Broadbent stands out as a sickly King William, who defiantly wants the young Victoria, his niece, to succeed him, despite her youth. And Paul Bettany is Lord Melbourne, a politically savvy aide to the throne who is disdainful of Prince Albert, but ultimately accepts him as a good man for Victoria and for England.

"The Young Victoria" is a romance set within the political struggles of the British Royal Family. It has everything you could want in a period piece ---- drama, humor, costuming and a wonderful soundtrack, with Sinead O'Connor singing the theme song "Only You".

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

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