Lord Melbourne/Paul Bettany
I really, really loved Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne! At first I didn't recognize him. Historically, did Melbourne stay on as advisor to Victoria or was he let go?
shareHe was Prime Minister and thus, though theoretically recognized by the monarch, actually derived his position from plain-old politics.
His career as Prime Minister only overlapped with the first few years of Victoria's reign (which, of course, are the years covered in the movie).
Also, in real life, wasn't he almost 40 years older than Victoria?
I'm glad they had Bettany play the role, though. He was excellent!
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was I imagining a relationship between Melbourne and the woman/duchess he got Victoria to agree to make Mistress of her Robes--the head of her female attendants...
she was the dark headed woman he brought to the King's birthday dinner, sitting by Duke of Wellington
"...That's the beauty of argument, Joey. If you argue correctly, you're never wrong..."
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she was not his wife--had a higher title I thought but definitely a different one
"...That's the beauty of argument, Joey. If you argue correctly, you're never wrong..."
Melbourne was more of a surrogate father figure, one of those that Victoria "adopted". I like Paul Bettany but he was far too young for the role.
Obi-Wan is my hero!
>>> I like Paul Bettany but he was far too young for the role.
Not really. Melbourne was in his late 50's when Victoria came to the throne. Bettany is made to look like a man of around 50, (although, a well-fit 50-something year old man)
Even back in Victoria's time, not every man in his 50's looked ancient.
I believe that was the Duchess of Sutherland, played by Rachael Stirling (only child of Dame Diana Rigg).
shareI thought Bettany was also very good in this role (thought the acting in this movie as a whole was pretty amazing). As someone mentioned before he really did look different...I thought it was him at first, yet I wasn't totally convinced bc he of the longer hair and the makeup to make him look a bit aged. I liked him but I felt he was sort of manipulating Victoria (obviously). One thing I was unsure of was whether or not they were trying to portray Melbourne as after Victoria's heart or just trying to win favor so he might do what he liked politically...I disagree as some posted in other threads that he was better suited than Albert for Victoria. Does anyone know if historically there was any sort of relationship there beyond her counsel?
Also agree that it did seem that he had some sort of relationship with the young woman he suggest be added to the ladies.
Bettany stood out for me in this film. He had such a slippery charisma, loved it. A perfect politician.
~If you say "I had everything under control" one more time I'm going to slap you with my guitar.~
I thought he was trying to make Victoria fall in love with him, there were a few lines at the banquet that made me feel this way.
Obi-Wan is my hero!
One horrible mistake-Melbourne actually some thirty years older than Bettany.Why they did that I can't understand.
shareHorrible miscasting-far too young.An actor like Nigel Havwers,Anthony Andrews or Sinom Williams would have been a much better choice. Would add that Albert's snubbing of Melbourne showed him to be the pompous prig he was in real life.
shareInitially i thought it was Robert Webb ;op
shareI have to agree -- Paul Bettany was twenty years younger than Melbourne when Victoria came to the throne. Even with make up I don't think he looked 58. In the 2001 TV mini series, Melbourne was played by Nigel Hawthorne who was 72 and probably too old for the part. But there are plenty of British character actors who would have been closer to Melbourne's age than Bettany. However, I loved Young Victoria and thought Emily Blunt deserved an Oscar nomination. A beautifully produced film. I also enjoyed Victoria and Albert with Victoria Hamilton and Jonathan Firth.
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