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Mrs. Brown

Mrs. Brown

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $14.99
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Judi and Billy reign together
Review: I first saw this movie on British TV, and have since seen it in the States. I now have the DVD. Judi Dench IS Queen Victoria. Billy Connolly becomes John Brown as the movie progresses. You are absorbed into the increasingly interwined lives of these two powerful people. It's as though you are witnessing history through some kind of time machine, while you form opinions about their relationship. The Victorian notion of referring to a person quite separately from the role that person performs, to the extent of each referencing the other in the third person is superbly portrayed. One observation on the ending -- it is rather abrupt, as though the director looked at his watch and realised he was about to run out of time (money). That's a minor quibble. Why this story and the movie that tells it did not receive Oscars for Dame Judi and for Billy is a question that everybody always asks. Buy this movie and learn what the Victorian era was like. Distinguish between the telling of history and the story-telling by all means, but just enjoy it, whatever it is for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Judi and Billy reign together
Review: I first saw this movie on British TV, and have since seen it in the States. I now have the DVD. Judi Dench IS Queen Victoria. Billy Connolly becomes John Brown as the movie progresses. You are absorbed into the increasingly interwined lives of these two powerful people. It's as though you are witnessing history through some kind of time machine, while you form opinions about their relationship. The Victorian notion of referring to a person quite separately from the role that person performs, to the extent of each referencing the other in the third person is superbly portrayed. One observation on the ending -- it is rather abrupt, as though the director looked at his watch and realised he was about to run out of time (money). That's a minor quibble. Why this story and the movie that tells it did not receive Oscars for Dame Judi and for Billy is a question that everybody always asks. Buy this movie and learn what the Victorian era was like. Distinguish between the telling of history and the story-telling by all means, but just enjoy it, whatever it is for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent movie, beautiful performances
Review: I have always been intrigued by the life of Queen Victoria and Judi Dench's performance contributes to the continued mystique of her life. John Brown's friendship with her is a fascinating relationship that grows from the beginning and culminates into Victoria's best friend, the most loved of advisors. I was surprised to learn that Victoria is buried with a picture of Brown in her tombstone. I think that there was more to the relationship than just a deep friendship but the movie does respect their lives & does not intend to create a version of love that was never true. The film does liberty to both people & is in my opinion one of the most thought provoking movies ever made.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: wonderful love story
Review: I just finished watching Mrs. Brown. I think it's a wonderful love story, without all the nudity that seems to be abundent in Hollywood these days. The actors were wonderfully casted.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I thought this should have won best picture. It's a brilliant film. And that Helen Hunt won the best actress Oscar for her awful awful performance in AS GOOD AS IT GETS, while Judi Dench didn't win the Oscar, is shameful. I really loved this film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mrs Brown ROCKS!
Review: I watched this video only recently and I was enchanted by Dame Judi Dench and Billy Connolly who gave an excellent performance as John Brown, Queen Victoria's man servant. I was a bit skeptical about the film at first but I am a convert to the cause. Watch this and enjoy, it's not a tear-jearker for those looking for kisses and roses but it will bring a lump to your throat as you watch a fragile friendship develop between the austere Queen of England and the rough and ready Scotsman who became her most loyal subject in a time of need. John Brown is never portrayed as a Saint, he is drinker and blasphemer who somehow managed to charm Queen Victoria and anger a nation at the same time. Judy Dench gives a credible performance as the brittle and aging Queen grieving for her dead husband and the storyline follows their friendship from beginning to end. Look out for the scene when John Brown goes skinny-dipping in the sea, it's enough to make your teeth chatter for a lifetime!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding movie.
Review: It is very seldom that I get to watch the movie of this quality. It is absolutely brilliant.

This is a story of a unique friendship formed between two very unlike characters: Queen Victoria and her servant Mr. Brown. As the story developed I was completely absorbed by the lives of these two people, as if I was actually part of it rather then watching the film.

Story is incredibly well told (though I do wish filmmakers were not in such a rush to end it), cinematography is absolutely beautiful and as far as the historical part of the movie it was perfectly captured. And then there are actors involved in this movie.

I do not think that my knowledge of English language will allow me to fully describe superb talent of Judi Dench, which by all means is unmatched by anyone alive today. Her performance was absolutely flawless. Academy should be ashamed for not awarding her with an Oscar and choosing Helen Hunt's performance over hers. Not even a contest in my opinion.

As incredible as Judi Dench is I'm sure it is very hard to find costars that will not be completely overshadowed by her. But Billy Connelly filled the screen with his brilliant performance. Perfect chemistry between the two. And of course - Geoffrey Palmer who happens to be Judi's long time costar from BBC's "As Time Goes By" (which I think is one of the best TV comedies of all time). When you get so caught up in a movie that you forget it's not a real life you know that actors are doing an incredible job.

This is an exceptionally well made film, a stunning piece of cinematography. And I think it should be a part of any movie-lovers collection. It certainly is part of mine.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A keeper, no doubt!
Review: It takes an unusual movie for me to return to a full-price theatre twice. Mrs. Brown brings out the anglophile in me, waving the Union Jack all the way. Few movies make it into my library, but this one will. It moves beyond the shallow sex, language and violence so common today and brings me the joy of watching two constrained people break their molds and learn to live a good bit happier lives. I'd give it a six-star rating if I could.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful Beautiful Movie!
Review: Its truly an insperational movie! Its amazing how one women so bitter and so sadden turns her life around to because of love! Its a must see. Though at times it is kind of slow the movie does pick up and turns out after all a Great Must see movie!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A first-rate view of an episode in Queen Victoria's life
Review: Judi Dench, first lady of the British theatre, portrays Queen Victoria in this capitvating film. Much of the acting is remarkable--Dame Judi Dench knows how to build and sustain a character through all the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." The depth of feeling that she displays -- in sorrow and in joy -- speaks of an actress who knows her craft well and takes the time to practice it. "Mr. Brown" and the officials of the court are well portrayed; here again one marvels at how well the characters are built and sustained. A first rate piece of work. Well done! END


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