Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
While mourning the death of her beloved Prince Albert at Scotland's Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria befriends a member of her household staff in 'Mrs. Brown', a historical drama directed by John Madden. This film transpires during a tumultuous period of Victoria's (Judi Dench) reign - the mid 1860's. She'd already been Queen for 27 yrs. when things started to go downhill. Deeply depressed at the loss of her husband, Victoria disappeared from the public eye into seclusion. She spoke very little, rarely took company, rarely left the grounds, & stayed away from politics. The only people she'd address would be her servants & advisors. Apparently, she was such a downer that it caused a ripple effect of depression among her staff; feeling like "prisoners", even.
In an attempt to renew her spirits, John Brown (Billy Connolly), a highlander who runs Victoria's Scottish retreat, is summoned to Windsor. With the fabled belief that 'all highlanders are good for the health', he's brought to her with the assumption that he'll be good for her; chat with her; take her horse riding; get her back in the swing of things. Before his arrival, the castle was solemn. But once he's there, the staff find that his boorish charms could have a reverse effect. He speaks what he thinks. He doesn't refer to her in the respectful manner that one should. And the staff/family don't quite know what to do. He may be uncouth, but you know what ... before long, Victoria starts to warm to him. Mr. Brown's 'status' in the castle starts to rise. He adores her. She wants him around constantly. And what develops is an unbreakable bond. This film is titled "Mrs. Brown" because that is what some of England's upper crust start referring to her as.
Though she's pleased by her new chaste relationship with Mr. Brown, there are concerns. You see, the public loves her (as a mother). But Victoria's advisors feel like their position in court is diminishing (having to answer to Brown, a mere stable master). They also feel as if Victoria's reputation is being tarnished; scandal is a big no-no. The Parliament discusses the possibility of ending the monarchy. And the Prince of Wales, wary of Mr. Brown's influence, seeks to remove him as soon as possible. That said, Prime Minister Disraeli thinks that could be a big mistake; as Mr. Brown, a Scot (not a true Brit) could turn the country against them. If he leaves, what happens next? Do things improve in the British Empire? Would Victoria slump into a depression again?
'Mrs. Brown' is a wonderful love story; one that needn't be about lust or carnal activity. The 2 main characters share a platonic affection for one another that most couples (both then & now) could only hope for. And their unusual relationship transformed the empire. The screenplay is marvelous. Poignant, witty; lending an emotionally sensitive, intelligent interpretation of what really happened some 130 yrs. ago. The direction is astute, to say the least. John Madden has great insight into the human psyche; really fleshing out the historical figures onscreen. I also liked some of the minor things that he does (which may not be picked up on initially). i.e., how he captures the atmosphere of the castle before she meets Mr. Brown. The ticking of a clock was deafening. The clearing of one's throat echoed through the dining room. There are fantastic flourishes like this sprinkled throughout the proceedings; little morsels of brilliance that say, 'Yes, this is a great movie'.
Dench & Connolly are fantastic early on in their 'courtship'; testing each other's patience. She can't believe that he won't listen to her, the Queen of England. And he just scoffs at her righteousness. In one scene, he takes her out to the countryside to visit some common folk, have dinner & drink whiskey. When she arrives home late, her advisers are up in arms. All she does is wryly smile & say, 'Well, I'm home now'. Haha, great stuff. Dench is regal, immersive, strong-willed, & an early favorite for a Best Actress nomination come Oscar time. Connolly is a perfect fit as Mr. Brown. I was just all caught up in this film - the emotional power of their friendship, the history lesson at hand, & the majesty of it all (wonderful locales, cinematography, production design, costumes, make-up work, etc.). I know I love it. Some may find it a bit stiff. But if my grandmother is any indication, the film will have a following; particularly with the over-60 crowd.
In an attempt to renew her spirits, John Brown (Billy Connolly), a highlander who runs Victoria's Scottish retreat, is summoned to Windsor. With the fabled belief that 'all highlanders are good for the health', he's brought to her with the assumption that he'll be good for her; chat with her; take her horse riding; get her back in the swing of things. Before his arrival, the castle was solemn. But once he's there, the staff find that his boorish charms could have a reverse effect. He speaks what he thinks. He doesn't refer to her in the respectful manner that one should. And the staff/family don't quite know what to do. He may be uncouth, but you know what ... before long, Victoria starts to warm to him. Mr. Brown's 'status' in the castle starts to rise. He adores her. She wants him around constantly. And what develops is an unbreakable bond. This film is titled "Mrs. Brown" because that is what some of England's upper crust start referring to her as.
Though she's pleased by her new chaste relationship with Mr. Brown, there are concerns. You see, the public loves her (as a mother). But Victoria's advisors feel like their position in court is diminishing (having to answer to Brown, a mere stable master). They also feel as if Victoria's reputation is being tarnished; scandal is a big no-no. The Parliament discusses the possibility of ending the monarchy. And the Prince of Wales, wary of Mr. Brown's influence, seeks to remove him as soon as possible. That said, Prime Minister Disraeli thinks that could be a big mistake; as Mr. Brown, a Scot (not a true Brit) could turn the country against them. If he leaves, what happens next? Do things improve in the British Empire? Would Victoria slump into a depression again?
'Mrs. Brown' is a wonderful love story; one that needn't be about lust or carnal activity. The 2 main characters share a platonic affection for one another that most couples (both then & now) could only hope for. And their unusual relationship transformed the empire. The screenplay is marvelous. Poignant, witty; lending an emotionally sensitive, intelligent interpretation of what really happened some 130 yrs. ago. The direction is astute, to say the least. John Madden has great insight into the human psyche; really fleshing out the historical figures onscreen. I also liked some of the minor things that he does (which may not be picked up on initially). i.e., how he captures the atmosphere of the castle before she meets Mr. Brown. The ticking of a clock was deafening. The clearing of one's throat echoed through the dining room. There are fantastic flourishes like this sprinkled throughout the proceedings; little morsels of brilliance that say, 'Yes, this is a great movie'.
Dench & Connolly are fantastic early on in their 'courtship'; testing each other's patience. She can't believe that he won't listen to her, the Queen of England. And he just scoffs at her righteousness. In one scene, he takes her out to the countryside to visit some common folk, have dinner & drink whiskey. When she arrives home late, her advisers are up in arms. All she does is wryly smile & say, 'Well, I'm home now'. Haha, great stuff. Dench is regal, immersive, strong-willed, & an early favorite for a Best Actress nomination come Oscar time. Connolly is a perfect fit as Mr. Brown. I was just all caught up in this film - the emotional power of their friendship, the history lesson at hand, & the majesty of it all (wonderful locales, cinematography, production design, costumes, make-up work, etc.). I know I love it. Some may find it a bit stiff. But if my grandmother is any indication, the film will have a following; particularly with the over-60 crowd.