Jean-Marc Vallée, the French-Canadian director of 2005's gay film festival fave C.R.A.Z.Y., a moving dramedy that centered on the coming out of the teenage son and its effect on his dysfunctional family, returns with his sophomore effort, The Young Victoria.The film, which stars British actress Emily Blunt ( who got her start in the hot lesbian romance My Summer of Love and broke through with The Devil Wears Prada and Sunshine Cleaning ) , also focuses on the plight of a teenager stuck in a dysfunctional family—this one of the royal stripe.
Victoria, who's 17, is up for the throne but her widowed mother ( Miranda Richardson ) is under the spell of her conniving but sexy brother-in-law ( Mark Strong, playing yet another baddie ) who covets the throne for himself; he has placed so many constraints on Victoria that she's not even allowed to walk down the stairs unescorted. Everyone's scheming behind the polite smiles and stifling social rituals of life at court—especially about who will win Vicky's hand in marriage and whether or not the old, cantankerous king ( Jim Broadbent, having a whale of a good time chewing up the scenery ) will name her as his next in line. The German Prince Albert ( handsome Rupert Friend ) , coached at length by his presenter ( Thomas Kretschmann ) , seems to have the inside track.
But we quickly learn that though she's not much more than a royal Rapunzel Victoria is a high-spirited lass and nobody's fool. She's initially resistant to meeting Albert but from the moment it's finally arranged their chemistry is apparent. "Do you ever feel like a chess piece?" she whispers to him as the two play the game of strategy under the watchful, oppressive eye of their elders as he nods. ( It's the perfect analogy for all the behind-the-scenes machinations swirling about Victoria. ) "I know what it's like to live inside your head," he tells her at the conclusion of their first meeting and then asks casually if he might write. Albert's made all the right moves but she's not about to "walk straight into another jail" and there are still a few more bumps ( the biggest being Victoria's wolf-in-sheep's clothing advisor, played by Paul Bettany ) to overcome on this road to royal love and happiness.
The Young Victoria offers the expected gorgeous spectacle such a story promises ( sets, costumes, locations, et al. ) ; nice acting by Blunt and Friend in the title roles; top-flight supporting actors ( such as Richardson, Broadbent and Bettany ) ; and even the inclusion of the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, onboard as one of the film's producers. But the early scenes of royal intrigue have prepared viewers for some theatrical fireworks—none of which happen. Though the film has Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth beat in the visual splendor department, there's nothing quite as dramatically thrilling here ( or brutal, for that matter ) and the obstacles, once identified, are easily sidestepped. By the time of Victoria's reign, apparently, intrigue was limited to whispers behind closed doors—no one gets sent to the Tower or stretched on the rack, killed by a poisoned dress, nearly assassinated by bow and arrow while barging down the Thames or sent to the chopping block.
Instead, The Young Victoria gives us a fairly diverting portrait of the young queen in the making as we are taken on an insider's scenic tour of England's breathtaking historical sites. Like Victoria herself, this first of what may be three or four movies ( she ruled the Monarchy for a really long time ) is a veddy proper film that wouldn't presume to misbehave with an ounce of unnecessary melodrama and abandon. We are amused and entertained—but not terribly so.
You may have heard that James Cameron—the director of The Terminator, The Terminator 2, Aliens and a certain multi-Oscar winning picture called Titanic, the director's last epic feature 12 years ago—is returning to movie theatres this week. Avatar, the picture in question, is rumored to have cost $300 million with an additional estimated $150 million to promote it, making it easily one of the most expensive movies ever made. Will this highly touted 3-D sci-fi epic ( running close to three hours ) live up to its hype? Though I've seen the movie and a smattering of reviews from brave—or foolhardy ( take your pick ) —film critics are appearing online, once again anxious studio publicists have forbidden reviews until the film's opening date, Friday, Dec. 18. That's the day you can read my review at www.windycitytimes.com and www.knightatthemovies.com .
Film notes:
—The Nightingale, 1048 N. Milwaukee, will host Threat Level: An Evening of Queer Shorts on Wed., Dec. 16, with doors at 7 p.m. and screenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. This quarterly screening event has been ongoing for two years and the evening, in addition to showcasing a variety of queer themed films ( including 575 Castro by Paris Is Burning documentarian Jenni Olsen ) , offers patrons a bonus: a simultaneous live video feed connecting audience members with those attending a Brooklyn edition of the event. Tickets are $5-10. Further info at www.myspace.com/theatlevelqueershorts or www.facebook.com/threatlevel
—The holiday edition of the monthly LGBTQ social group The Rainbow Café will host a screening of the queer-themed documentary 13 Love Stories, which focuses on the fallout from Prop 8. The event will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 Sycamore, Forest Park, Saturday, Dec. 19, with doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free ( and door prizes will be awarded ) but those attending are encouraged to bring non-alcoholic beverages, holiday foods or dessert to pass or make a financial donation. Phone 708-481-5339, ext. 2, for further information.
—First Warning: My alter ego Dick O'Day is once again hosting a New Year's Eve camptacular screening of the 1972 disaster flick The Poseidon Adventure. For the second year in a row, I'm teaming up with David Cerda and his crew of Handbag Production players and the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. We'll have a jam-packed pre-show, complete with contests, surprise performances, prizes and more beginning at 11 p.m. followed by the screening. And get this: When the ship flips onscreen at midnight we'll be doing the exact same thing in the theatre. Tickets, which include a champagne toast, party favors and interactive screening guide, are $20 in advance ( now on sale ) . See www.musicboxtheatre.com .
Check out my archived reviews at www.windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemovies.com . Readers can leave feedback at the latter Web site.
