MRS. BROWN as written by Jeremy Brock and directed by John Madden (Proof, Shakespeare in Love, Captain Corelli's Mandolin) is a sprightly, entertaining and engrossing study of a moment in the life of enigmatic Queen Victoria. Selecting an outstanding production crew and a fine cast this film succeeds on every level and once again proves to us that Judi Dench is one of the finest actresses on the stage or screen today.

The story revolves around the time when Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert dies resulting in a clinical depression in the queen. She leaves London with her entourage to grieve at Balmoral Castle. There her Scottish Highlander servant John Brown (Billy Connolly) nurses her back to normalcy but in the meanwhile sets up the appearance of an affair that scandalized the British Isles. Disraeli (Antony Sher) visits in an attempt to right the situation but it is Brown's strong personality - an equal match for the wise and wily Victoria - that alters the course of events that returns Queen Victoria to her proper station.

Dench and Connolly play so well off each other that their relationship has a wealth of charm, tenderness, bite, wit, and solidity. The supporting cast includes a fine turn by Gerard Butler as Archie Brown, John's supportive and playful brother. The costumes are superb and the cinematography by Richard Greatrex captures the atmosphere of the cloying indoor spaces as well as the freedom of the vast coastline vistas. Stephen Warbeck is responsible for the well-integrated musical score. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

This film is about the relationship between Queen Victoria and her personal servant John Brown. While a few have conjectured that their relationship was closer than is portrayed in the film, no real evidence of his appears to exist. However, the film studio marketed the film that way--as if the film was about some sexual or overly-intimate relations existed. The people who actually made the film did a good job of sticking to facts and were probably horrified by the way the film was advertised.

The film begins a couple years after the death of Prince Albert--Victoria's husband. His death came as a shock, as he apparently contracted Typhoid from eating fruit and died while still a relatively young man. Victoria was so shocked by the death of her beloved husband that she went into deep depression and refused to come out of mourning or assume her regular duties. Eventually, Brown became her servant and slowly eased her out of this depression and became her closest confidant--and amazing thing since he hadn't an ounce of royal blood. Naturally, this caused a stir--royals resented it and the Prime Minister (Disraeli) was irritated that Brown kept the Queen out of the spotlight--staying with her on a very, very prolonged stay at her home at Balmoral, Scotland. Where all this goes next is something you'll need to see for yourself.

As a history teacher, I liked this film as it was more historically accurate than many other films on royalty and British history I have seen (such as "Anne of the Thousand Days", "Mary, Queen of Scots", "The Other Boleyn Girl" and many others). In addition, I like how the film focused on Victoria as a person--a real person with lots of foibles--a rarity in movies. Billy Connelly also did a lovely job as Mr. Brown. I lovely film from start to finish.

By the way, the apparent paranoia that John Smith had throughout the movie was VERY justified. During this same time period, Presidents Lincoln and Garfield were assassinated, as were the Empress of Austria-Hungary, as well as Czar Alexander II--among others. And, unsuccessful attempts were made all the time--including one on the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz-Josef.

I really wanted to see this movie, as I love Judi Dench, and when I saw it was going to show on TV, I knew I had to see it. The result is a very beautiful, touching and brilliantly acted film. Also excellent are the intelligent, sophisticated screenplay and sensitive direction. What made it so beautiful was how it was filmed; beautiful cinematography, scenery, costumes you name it. The music is soothing, pleasant and tender, and the story is somewhat tragic and compelling. And the acting is outstanding, Judi Dench is absolutely mesmerising as Queen Victoria and Billy Connolly was a huge surprise as John Brown, giving a restrained and very moving performance, proving he can do serious roles while being thoroughly decent at comedy as well. Of the supporting performances, I thought the best came from Anthony Sher as Disraeli, and Geoffrey Palmer is also great. Overall, topped with a poignant ending, Mrs Brown is a wonderful film. 10/10 Bethany Cox