Watch Mrs. Brown

Mrs. Brown is a biographical drama film that tells the story of the queen of England, Queen Victoria's (Judi Dench) journey through grief after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. The movie showcases the bond between Queen Victoria and John Brown (Billy Connolly), her Scottish servant, who becomes her friend and confidant. The film opens with the death of Prince Albert, which marks the beginning of Queen Victoria's long period of mourning. The queen withdraws from public life, prompting her court to worry about her emotional state. To distract her from her grief, the court pushes her to resume her royal duties, but she is reluctant to do so.

Feeling lonely and isolated, the queen meets John Brown, a Scottish servant who was assigned to her as a pony groomer. Initially, Queen Victoria dislikes him, but over time, she begins to develop a profound attachment to him. Brown is a rough, uncultured man, but he has a heart of gold, which the queen finds comforting. As time passes, Brown proves himself indispensable to the queen, and they form a deep and lasting friendship that causes scandals and rumors amongst the court.

The relationship between Queen Victoria and Brown is a complex one. Brown often challenges the queen, and as a result, she begins to care more about life than just dwelling on the past. She remembers the good times she had with Prince Albert, including how he supported her love for Scotland. John Brown enhances her life, and her relationship with him sparks controversies for the queen due to the expected formal behavior in royal circles.

The movie depicts Queen Victoria's life in detail, and viewers get to witness her transformation from a grieving widow to a confident monarch. Judi Dench's performance is outstanding, and she brings life to the character of Queen Victoria. She portrays the loneliness and desperation that the queen felt in the aftermath of Prince Albert's death, as well as the changes that occurred when John Brown entered her life.

Billy Connolly's performance as John Brown is equally impressive. He plays the role with flair, giving the character a depth that is missing in traditional portrayals of historical figures. Geoffrey Palmer, who plays Queen Victoria's loyal advisor, also delivers an excellent performance, depicting the character's loyalty towards the queen.

The film's cinematography is breathtaking, and the movie effectively transports viewers to the Victorian era. The movie was filmed in various locations in Scotland, particularly Balmoral Castle, where the queen used to spend most of her time. The film's costume design is also noteworthy, as it accurately depicts the fashion and style of the time.

One of the significant themes of the movie is the concept of the monarch versus the public. The film depicts how Queen Victoria orchestrated her life to be more private, but she is always accountable to the public. It shows that the queen pursued a political plan as she recognized the importance of building ties with Scotland. The movie showcases how the queen struggled to balance her public role with her private life, particularly after the death of Prince Albert.

In conclusion, Mrs. Brown is an extraordinary film that captures the complexities of Queen Victoria's life in the aftermath of her husband's death. The film is a touching tribute to the queen and John Brown's deep friendship, which is a stark contrast to the formal and stuffy circles of royal life. The performances, outstanding cinematography, and the attention to the details of the time make this film a must-watch for any lover of historical dramas.

Mrs. Brown is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 71.