England, the centre of the British Empire, at the zenith of her power is about to crown young Victoria (Emily Blunt), queen. Director Jean-Marc Vallee does a masterful job bringing the glory, magnificence and intrigue of the Royal court to life replete with all the significant characters of the period. Rigid protocol and generations of power mongering lie behind every royal engagement, including the selection of a suitable king and husband for the future young queen.

This film exquisitely portrays this golden era and the complex characters that highlight this period of English history. At its essence this film is a beautiful and romantic love story that would change the course of history. Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) is sent by his scheming Belgian uncle King Leopold to win Victoria. Surprisingly, Victoria and Albert are taken with each other. Many pitfalls await the two young lovers. Impeccable attention to historical accuracy, remarkable performances from a stellar cast, and exceptional cinematography make this an outstanding production at every level. Expect oscar buzz.

Moira Romano