The Young Victoria

The Young Victoria is a 2009 period-drama film that stars Emily Blunt as the young Queen Victoria of England. The film revolves around Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert, rise to the throne and early reign. Rupert Friend portrays Prince Albert. Miranda Richardson and Jim Broadbent also star.http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=youngvictoria.htm

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards in 2010 for Best Art Direction, Costume Design and Makeup. The film won for Costume Design (Sandy Powell). Blunt was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Actress. The film won two BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards) for Best Make-Up and Hair (Jenny Shircore) and Best Costume Design (Sandy Powell).http://oscar.go.com/nominations/films#category_Y http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=youngvictoria.htm

The movie, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, opened in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2009 and had its limited release in the United States on December 18, 2009. Among the film's producers were Martin Scorsese and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=youngvictoria.htm

2010 Oscar Win
The Young Victoria's Sandy Powell won and accepted the award for Costume Design.

The Young Victoria explores the early life of Queen Victoria, from her first understanding, at the age of eleven, that she may be crowned Queen someday. The film focuses on her destiny, the service to her country for the remainder of her life, as well as her courtship and romance with Prince Albert.http://www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com/

At age 17, Victoria faces challenges as the heir to the throne as her uncle, King William (Broadbent) is dying. Her mother, the Duchess of Kent (Richardson) and her adviser, Conroy (Mark Strong) stand in her way. Albert, her cousin has been invited for a visit by her mother, with the intent that he seek her hand in marriage. Neither Albert nor Victoria are pleased with the meddling of their relatives, but eventually the two become acquainted and a friendship grows. Albert returns home, keeping in touch with Victoria, waiting until she is ready to pursue a deeper relationship.http://www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com/

Victoria soon becomes Queen upon the death of King William and comes under the influence of the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). Albert returns to London for the Queen's coronation and resumes his friendship with Victoria, but returns to Germany. Victoria rides a wave of popularity, until Melbourne is defeated in the elections, losing power to Peel (Michael Maloney). Needing his support, Victoria summons Albert back to London. The two quickly resume their relationship and Victoria invites the prince to marry her.

The royal wedding once again sways public support to Victoria, but it is not long until tensions emerge between the young royal couple. Albert wants to be Victoria's partner and equal in decision making, but is relegated to the sidelines. Eventually, with the support of the Dowager Queen Adelaide's (Harriet Walter), Victoria allows Albert to re-organize the palace staff and he thrives in the role.http://www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com/

Victoria becomes pregnant and she becomes angry with Albert for taking a lead in political relations. But after he becomes wounded trying to protect her from an assassin's bullet, she realizes that he only wants the best for her and the two develop a stronger relationship, eventually learning to rule together.http://www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com/

• Emily Blunt as the young Victoria
• Rupert Friend as Prince Albert
• Miranda Richardson as the Duchess of Kent
• Jim Broadbent as King William, uncle of Victoria
• Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne
• Princess Beatrice as a Lady in Waiting

"The Young Victoria is good old-fashioned period drama -- not terribly lively, not terribly insightful, but rich in pageantry and fine moments of drama, the whole show hinging on a beguiling performance from Blunt."— David Germain, Associated Presshttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/young_victoria/?critic=creamcrop#contentReviews

"The way this story is told is just basically by people reading letters in voiceover while you look at beautiful furniture.'" — A.O. Scott, At the Movieshttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/young_victoria/?critic=creamcrop#contentReviews

"If The Young Victoria never transcends its fussy trappings -- it's still a familiar costume drama -- it remains brisk and intelligent." — Christopher Kelly, Dallas Morning Newshttp://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/movies/reviews/stories/DN-movierdup_1218gd.State.Edition1.1bfd2f5.html

"I wonder: Was the director of The Young Victoria wearing a corset right alongside Emily Blunt? This is one tightly constricted period drama." — Michael Phillips, "At the Movieshttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/young_victoria/?critic=creamcrop#contentReviews

Sandy Powell, costume designer for The Young Victoria, accepts the Academy Award for her role in the film. Stating that she had "two of these already", she dedicated her award to the less recognized costume designers that work on smaller budget films.