Young Victoria

Lovers of big screen romances and elaborate costume films are finally getting their money's worth once again. Director Jean-Marc Vallée has staged Queen Victoria's young years as a poignant love story, haunting drama, and thrilling coming-of-age story - and the mix works just fine, despite a few minor lengths.

As the direct successor to King William (Jim Broadbent), Victoria (Emily Blunt) becomes Queen of England at the tender age of 18. Attempts are made from all sides to influence the young woman. Even her mother (Miranda Richardson) doesn't really trust her daughter to be able to run the country's difficult affairs of government with the necessary strength and foresight. Young Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) of Saxe-Coburg is also pressured by his family. He is expected to win the Queen's heart so that his family can exert stronger political influence over the English royal family. But there is one factor that no one has considered: true love!

"Young Victoria" is great emotional cinema for the eye and the heart. The set as well as the costumes, which have won an Oscar, are of the finest and transport the viewer directly back to the pompous times of Queen Victoria. This is embodied magnificently by Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada"). As a young woman who tries to assert her own head against constant external influence and fixed etiquette, Blunt is convincing in every moment. She manages, for instance, to make it clear to Victoria how much she wants to be allowed to walk down the stairs all by herself for once, but is strictly forbidden to do so due to the danger of falling or even being pushed.

Attempts are made from all sides to influence the young queen - even before she has even ascended the throne - and so Victoria finds it increasingly difficult to see who she can trust and who she cannot. Thanks to Emily Blunt's haunting performance, all of these conflicts become palpable to the audience, which then carries the film through its more worn, plodding moments.

In the end, though, "Young Victoria" is also - or even primarily - the story of a very great love. Not simply a love story, but a tribute to THE love par excellence. Of course, this sometimes takes on a somewhat kitschy form, but the indulgent staging makes it easy to abandon oneself unrestrainedly to the bath in the feelings. When Sinead O`Connor sings one of the most beautiful musical declarations of love of the recent past with "Only You", goosebumps are guaranteed. Yes, it's cheesy, but it's also just beautiful.

Thus, the film that Martin Scorsese co-produced with Sarah Ferguson is a must-see for all lovers of romantic costume dramas. It's a beautiful, suspenseful and engaging film that, while a bit too long, makes up for it with great acting and showmanship. Highly recommended

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp