In the past few years, we have seen a fair number of films about young European royalty come to the big screen. In true biopic form, they have almost all run close to or over two hours long. Nearly all of their marriages have involved mistresses, mistreatment, and various other forms of royal relational dysfunction. In sum, between days filled with frivolity, years devoid of love, and/or lifetimes weighed down by political struggle, most of them could probably destroy any little girl's princess dream in one fell swoop. But while it certainly is not all diamond tiaras, Prince Charmings, and political harmony, in The Young Victoria's relatively simple tale of a young queen who actually manages to find a loving partner with whom to share her throne, The Young Victoria presents a story that not only breathes life back into the princess dream, but reveals both the very real struggle of living in a world in which most relationships are hinged on selfish ambition and the joy and meaning to be found in relationships actually based on love.

Born the only heir to the British throne, occupied until shortly after her 18th birthday by her uncle King William (Jim Broadbent), even as a young child, Victoria's (Emily Blunt) life is already defined by both the position of power which she holds and the desire of others to tap into that supreme influence as their own. In an effort to shield Victoria from those who might wish to control her, her mother (Miranda Richardson) keeps her nearly imprisoned inside her castle her entire childhood. Victoria's dream for as long as she can remember, to finally be free. But with her mother's own advisor, Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong), trying to force her to appoint him to be her regent, influential families from throughout Europe coaching suitors to win her favor, and politicians grasping at every opportunity to convince her that they are an ally she can trust, Victoria rightly looks to her ascent to the most powerful position in England with an distinct awareness that to share that power with anyone may be to lose it completely.

Although Victoria resists most of those who both subtlety and not-so-subtly attempt to latch onto her position of power, when she decides to extend her trust by accepting advice from British Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), the events that ensue only prove to Victoria the dangers of falling under the influence of either the selfish aims and/or flawed advice of another. As her cousin Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) looks at the situation that has painted Victoria incapable and/or partisan before she has even reigned a year, "She is not a fool, but she listened to a fool." And as such, like most of us who have felt misled, taken advantage of, or controlled by a family member, a lover, or even a coworker, Victoria begins her rule unable to trust nearly anyone, including her own mother.

But there to challenge Victoria's mistrust and dogged independence is Prince Albert. One of the men coached to win the coveted title of Victoria's King, he initially enters the picture under the influence of their uncle King Leopold of Belgium. Albert's first interaction with her is nearly scripted and almost wholly based on mirroring Victoria's every like and agreeing with her every opinion. But before long, we see in Albert a sincere desire to relate to Victoria as more than just a chess piece over which he might gain control. And as he alludes to Victoria, while every fiber of his being may want to be her king, his desire is not to gain the position so that he can play the game for her, but to stand by her side so he can play the game with her.

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