The Young Victoria – 2009 | 105 mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

The Young Victoria chronicles Queen Victoria’s ascension to the throne, focusing on the early turbulent years of her reign and her legendary romance and marriage to Prince Albert. The film is set in the period from 1836, the year before Victoria ascended the throne, to 1840 the year she married Prince Albert and sets out to revise the widely held picture of Queen Victoria as an elderly widow dressed in black. The sumptuous biopic is directed critically-acclaimed French-Canadian Jean-Marc Vallée and ably scripted by Julian Fellowes, who opts for a loosely-faithful account of her turbulent early reign, but no amount of historic political machinations can render Victoria’s love life interesting. Emily Blunt produces a dignified and amiably charismatic performance in the challenging role of the troubled teenage monarch.

1837. Teenage Princess Victoria (Emily Blunt) is the object of a royal power struggle. Her uncle, King William (Jim Broadbent), is dying and Victoria is in line for the throne. Everyone is vying to win her favour. However Victoria is kept from the court by her overbearing mother, Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson), and her ambitious advisor, Conroy (Mark Strong). Victoria hates them both. Her only friend is her doting governess, Lehzen (Jeanette Hain), who is seemingly as untrustworthy as the rest.

Victoria’s handsome cousin, Albert (Rupert Friend) is invited to visit by her mother. He’s also the nephew of her Uncle, King Leopold of Belgium (Thomas Kretschmann). It’s obvious that Albert has been coached to win her hand. At first she’s annoyed as she has no intention of being married. She never wants to be controlled again. However Albert is also tired of being manipulated by his relatives. Victoria and Albert talk openly and sincerely and become friends. When he returns home she grants him permission to write to her. King Leopold is delighted and pushes Albert to woo her. Albert refuses because he knows she’s not ready and he won’t return to London until she invites him. Leopold reluctantly waits.

Meanwhile King William dies and Victoria is crowned the Queen of England. Albert visits London to witness the coronation and the friendship between Victoria and Albert deepens. Victoria’s first decree is to banish her mother and Conroy to a remote palace apartment. She embraces Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), the charming Prime Minister, as her sole advisor. They become inseparable and although his motives are slightly self serving, he truly cares for her and wants her to succeed.

The public loves their new Queen. She’s cheered as she rides through the streets but this honeymoon with the public comes to a sudden end. Melbourne’s party is defeated in the elections and his rival, Peel (Michael Maloney), demands that Victoria replace her ladies in waiting with the wives of his allies. Victoria refuses. The backlash is furious. The newspapers declare that Victoria is opposing the public’s will. They are outraged.

King Leopold is convinced that now, while Victoria is humbled, is the time for Albert to strike. Albert reluctantly arrives at the Palace for a visit. They spend happy hours together and Victoria is struck by how handsome and sincere he is but she is not ready for marriage. It only takes a few months after his departure for Victoria to realize Albert is the man she wants to marry and following Royal protocol, invites him to marry her.

The spectacle of the royal wedding wins over the public. The handsome young Prince and Queen are cheered and all seems well in the Royal household. However tensions between Albert and Victoria start to emerge. She wants an obedient friend and lover, not a controlling husband. He, however, wants to be her partner and equal and makes political suggestions. Victoria is furious. She is the Queen and she will decide her business! Albert is hurt and has little to do in his new role as Consort. Eventually, with Queen Adelaide’s (Harriet Walter) encouragement, she allows him to re-organize the palace staff. He does a great job – the household is more efficient than it’s been in centuries.

Victoria becomes pregnant. Life should be perfect. But they argue when she sees Albert talking with politicians at a party. She’s incensed that he is taking the lead without her permission. They are later riding through the streets when a crazed man tries to shoot Victoria. Albert throws her to the carriage floor and is shot trying to protect her.

Victoria realizes what a selfish woman she’s become. She begs Albert’s forgiveness as he insists that all he’s ever wanted was what was best for her. Trusting him completely, she’s now ready to accept his help. Together they banish Lehzen who had become jealous of the newly married couple, and her mother’s treacherous advisor, Conroy, who was still wielding some influence. In a symbolic move, Victoria moves Albert’s desk next to hers and for the rest of their lives they rule together.