Young Victoria review

In a radical departure from the frumpy, overweight, double-chinned Queen Victoria of popular mythology, the adorable Emily Blunt presents us with a modern heroine: a feisty independent princess who defies her mother, loves dancing and, ultimately falls in love with the right guy. This is a simple love story, with a little complication of parliaments, policy and intrigue thrown in.

After a lonely, and guarded childhood (as the precious only heir to the throne, she can only go up or down stairs holding hands with an adult), Victoria succeeds to the throne at age 18.

Presented by scheming relatives with a perfect candidate for marriage, her beautiful and charming cousin Prince Albert (the classical Rupert Friend), the two bond over a shared passion and love for doing good, almost despite themselves, fall in love.

Lavish balls and glittering palaces create an authentic atmosphere, and Blunt amply proves her worth as a leading lady. This is a film of polished niceness , beautiful enough to have you skipping along with your loved one well after the curtain has fallen.