In dramatizing the life of a royal person, filmmakers willingly step into the taffeta-lined pitfall of sumptuous visuals and noble chins held aloft. The problem being that if a story is known or at least known well enough, then there’s no tension present in the telling of the tale. That element of the narrative added to complex characters and perhaps the writer layering in astute observations about the society or politics of an era deepens the experience of watching such a film. And if the story is more complex and compelling? Well there is the multiplex ninety minute timetable to contend with. It’s more a fallback position than a pitfall. The Young Victoria, while enjoyable and maybe not at a full recline in the pitfall, still doesn’t attain any enduring ascendancy.

Emily Blunt portrays Victoria as wise enough to know she has a great responsibility waiting and that she lacks the maturity to truly rule well for someone so young. Practical more than preternatural for a girl who’s grown up with family members and politicians trying to control her more than properly advise her. Her own mother, Miranda Richardson as the Duchess of Kent, with her comptroller Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong) have kept her under a house arrest of sorts and hope to place the Duchess herself in power a under a regency decree. Only Queen Adelaide, the king’s widow, offers advice out of honest concern and affection for the girl and Prince Albert (Rupert Friend), who’s been maneuvered into place by the King of Belgium as a suitor for the young queen, begins to feel something for Victoria even under the constraints and machinations placed on them both.

While not too ham-handed, even with the derigueur chessboard-as-metaphor exchange, given the time allotted the dialogue ends up being delivered as exposition so there’s no deepening of the story. Fine actors abound, but are underused or just glower. Based on true life (The Queen, Elizabeth I, The Duchess, That Hamilton Woman) or fiction (Dangerous Liaisons, Ridicule) what fascinates us about the lives of monarchs can make for a truly great film. The Young Victoria is just frothy and heartfelt enough for a comfortable evening of period piece excess. – [DVD]

Biography/Drama/Mystery/Romance

Rated PG

DVD Release Date: 4/20/10

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