Period drama enthusiasts seeking a compelling new film should look no further than 'Mrs Brown', currently available on Sky. The 1997 film, starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly, has garnered widespread acclaim from viewers and holds a solid 7.2/10 rating on IMDb.
One viewer awarded the film a perfect 10/10 score, describing it as a 'strong' period drama and praising Dench for delivering yet another 'brilliant characterisation'. They called it a 'sprightly, entertaining and engrossing study of a moment in the life of enigmatic Queen Victoria', highlighting the 'outstanding production crew' and 'fine cast'.
Another IMDb reviewer gave the film 9/10, branding it a 'treasure'. They expressed disappointment that Dench was overlooked for an Oscar, while suggesting that Connolly equally deserved recognition. The reviewer concluded: 'This movie is magnificent; one of the best I've seen in a long time.'
Set in 1863, 'Mrs Brown' chronicles the profound friendship between a mourning Queen Victoria (Dench) and her Scottish servant John Brown (Connolly). Brown is brought to court to encourage the grieving monarch to emerge from years of isolation following her bereavement. His closeness to the queen sparks hostility from politicians and royal family members, who resent his influence over her.
The star-studded cast also includes Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher, Gerard Butler, and David Westhead. Despite being nominated for numerous Oscars and BAFTA Film Awards, the film was overshadowed by 'Titanic' during awards season. Dench did, however, win the BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.
