Emily Blunt rules literally and figuratively in “The Young Victoria.” After all, the main reason to see this biopic is due to the actress’ vibrant performance – a far stretch from the Victoria we’re used to reading about in text books.
Do a simple Google search and you’ll find tons of portraits of a frowning, stern-looking Queen Victoria dressed in a black lace widow’s outfit. “The Young Victoria” shows her in a completely different light. Instead, it opens with her growing up as an over-protected child, leading to her receiving the crown as a teenager.
This focus on her early years as queen is really refreshing but ultimately, it’s Blunt’s playful performance that makes this movie engaging. As a teen, Victoria doesn’t quite understand why she wants to be queen. But she knows from birth that she will carry this “royal burden.” When King William IV (Jim Broadbent) dies, Victoria suddenly realizes what she — or rather her family –have gotten her into.
Instead of the costume melodrama that 19th century biopics usually consist of, “The Young Victoria” features more of the political side of Victoria’s early reign. But of course, there had to be a love story in the midst of that and rest assured it’s front and centre (but only at certain points).
