★ 7 / 10
There have been goodness knows how many theories
CinemaSerf
There have been goodness knows how many theories about the relationship between Queen Victoria and her highland ghillie John Brown, brought from Her Majesty's…
There have been goodness knows how many theories about the relationship between Queen Victoria and her highland ghillie John Brown, brought from Her Majesty's estate at Balmoral to try to prize her from her routine of melancholy following the death of Prince Albert. In this version, John Madden cleverly decides to emphasise the characterisations of the Queen and of her Highland servant, rather than to try and create something that historians can argue over... Of course it's all speculative, but both Judi Dench and Billy Connolly excel here at building an honest, and ultimately loving friendship that is plausible - especially for the widow surrounded otherwise by an almost acolytic suite of staff. Geoffrey Palmer is also on good form as her Private Secretary (Sir Henry Ponsonby) trying to walk the line between protocol and productivity; and to deal with the resentment across the family and other staff caused by Brown's relationship with his Sovereign as the film progresses. Antony Sher also stands out as the politically savvy Disraeli, David Westhead as the seriously un-amused Prince of Wales and there is an early outing for Gerard Butler as John's brother "Archie". As you'd expect, the technical and creative aspects of the production lend their best efforts to make this a very craftful piece of cinema.
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★ 8 / 10
Top notch all the way
blanche-2
Dame Judi Dench is "Mrs. Brown" - that is, Queen Victoria, and Billy Connolly is John Brown in this 1997 film, based on fact, of Queen Victoria's relationship…
Dame Judi Dench is "Mrs. Brown" - that is, Queen Victoria, and Billy Connolly is John Brown in this 1997 film, based on fact, of Queen Victoria's relationship with a Scottsman, John Brown, who becomes her servant. The excellent script is by Jeremy Brock and the director is John Maddon, who does a wonderful job.
The widowed, deeply grieving Queen Victoria has basically retired from public life when John Brown, who served her late husband, appears on the scene to help draw her out. Each day, he stands outside with her horse, even though she refuses to ride. Eventually she rides again, and also takes walks. Attracted to his lack of formality, the Queen becomes extremely fond of Brown, making him the object of jealousy at court.
Both the stars are magnificent in their roles, and the atmosphere and costumes are perfect. Dame Judi Dench is a queen who is deeply aware of her position and protocol, but also is a vulnerable, sad woman, guilty that her newfound friendship is betraying her husband's memory. One can see her being drawn out slowly by John Brown, and finally enjoying the deep friendship. Connolly is great - tough, uncompromising, and fiercely protective of his Queen, though he realizes after a point that she needs to return to public life.
In history, John Brown and Queen Victoria were suspected of being more than friends, thus the name "Mrs. Brown," and in a diary was found the report of a deathbed claim by Rev. Norman Macleod, that he presided over Queen Victoria's marriage to John Brown. This really hasn't been proved, but the Queen was buried with a lock of Brown's hair, his photo, and his mother's wedding ring, as well as Prince Albert's robe. Most historians feel it was only a friendship and point out that after Brown's death, she became close to an Indian servant in much the same way. She obviously needed a confidant after her husband died.
The cinematography is breathtaking. A truly beautiful film, highly recommended.
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