Love Rules All.

Delayed for almost as long as Queen Victoria’s reign as monarch of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, an unprecedented 63 years and seven months, “The Young Victoria” still does not have an American release date (I think) despite having premiered in the UK on the 6th of last month and despite it starring Emily Blunt, having been produced by Martin Scorsese, written by Julian Fellowes of “Gosford Park” fame, featuring costumes by the unmatchable Sandy Powell, and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée who made “C.R.A.Z.Y” just a few years ago.

“The Young Victoria,” tracing during the early days of Queen V’s reign and the romance between her and Prince Albert, doesn’t quite reach the level of “Elizabeth” or “Marie Antoinette” in terms of artistic temperament and boundary testing. Like most films chronicling the conflictions of various monarchs, it probably should’ve been a miniseries as it ends rather abruptly, with the usual last minute onscreen text filling in the gaps. Perhaps that’s something I should be used to by now.

In it’s filmic form, it is nonetheless a wonderfully shot and detailed affair filled with unabashed romanticism and intrigue that plods along less than it ought to due to a number of effective performances. Emily Blunt, as gorgeous as ever, delivers a feisty portrayal of a sovereign caught between expectation and the constraints of social denunciation.

As far as her Oscar potential goes, her performance and role just aren’t tailored for such acclaim – there’s no overwhelming screaming matches a la Cate Blanchet in “Elizabeth” and “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” nor the make-up and artistry present in Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II (whom, in reality was rather irked by a particular dramatic embellishment in “The Young Victoria”). She may not get a moment to appeal to the ballots of AMPAS members, but she gets her share of moments to appeal to their hearts. Which you’d rather see determines the extent to which you admire her performance.

The true gem in “The Young Victoria,” by my own estimation anyway, is that of Rupert Friend, as Prince Albert. When he’s off-screen, Ms. Blunt keeps the film likeable and akin to unpretentious escapism, but when Friend is present – the film glows. Resist his charm, I dare you.

“The Young Victoria,” much like “The Duchess,” doesn’t quite reinvent it’s genre, nor is it intended to. It’s a perfectly fine addition to said genre, and one that should please those who always find something to appreciate about the lavish, calculated and romantic sumptuousness that is the costume drama genre.

“The Young Victoria” opened in South Africa on the 26th of June.