The Young Victoria Parent Guide

At sixty-three years and seven months on the throne, Queen Victoria was not only the longest reigning monarch in British history, but also the longest reigning female monarch of all time - that is, until her great-great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II eclipsed her record. Victoria’s decades on the throne coincided with the heights of British imperial power, when it was said that “the sun never sets on the British empire”. Her life inspired the name of an age (the Victorian era) which encompassed great changes in science and industry, and her influence was felt in fashion, morality and the arts.

Yet she wasn’t always the regal figure who inspired the loyalty of her subjects. Once she was a shy child, uncertain of the world and the elaborate protocol into which she was born. It is the story of this “Young Victoria” which is told in this film.

Despite her youth, Victoria (Emily Blunt) has become increasingly aware of the critical position she holds. As the only legitimate offspring to be produced from three aging brothers entitled to the British throne, she is first in line to inherit the crown. Nor is she blind to the ambitious intentions of the people around her, especially her mother, The Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson), and her advisor Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong).

With King William IV’s (Jim Broadbent) health failing, the Duchess and her right-hand-man are putting pressure on the naive princess to sign a Regency Order that will give them governing power until she reaches legal age. Defiantly refusing their attempts to force her consent, the heiress presumptive gambles that the elderly king will live past her eighteenth birthday so she can succeed to the throne directly. And she wins this bet.

However, assuming the throne only increases the stakes. And there are many trying to take advantage of her inexperience for their personal gain. Among them is the British Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), who flatters his way into her confidence and is soon making many decisions for her. Her uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium (Thomas Kretschmann), is also earnestly attempting to arrange a marriage for her to his nephew (and her first cousin) Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Rupert Friend). Although she does not want to be a pawn in any of these political maneuvers, she soon realizes (thanks to some wise counsel from her aspiring suitor) that if she plans to survive, she needs to learn how to play their game.

While ulterior motives in the royal court play a part in this biographical production, much of the drama revolves around the feelings Victoria has for the dashing (and unexpectedly intelligent) Albert. Love scenes between the two include kissing, caressing and a moment when the married couple begin to undress one another. Other possible concerns are the depiction of smoking and social drinking (on one occasion a character appears drunk), along with the use of mild profanity. Violence briefly occurs when a rock is thrown through a window and a pistol is fired (some blood from an injury is shown).

There is no question the movie offers a romantic view of these historical figures. Still, there is great charm in watching the balance this pair finds as Victoria takes her first faltering footsteps along the path that will eventually lead her to become the head of a powerful nation.

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Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.