Critic Reviews

• Emanuel Levy, Variety

  Centering on a lesser-known chapter in the reign of Queen Victoria, this richly detailed drama about her intimate relationship with her servant that scandalized the country is extremely well-acted; Judi Dench deserves an Oscar nomination

• , Time Out

  Dench is magnificent as Victoria, a toy-sized, black-suited, dough girl of despair, a woman slowly recovering her wits and her expectations.

• Janet Maslin, New York Times

  ''Mrs. Brown'' transcends its period setting not only with a keenly observed struggle between love and duty but also with the kind of controversy that envelops the Queen and her servant.

• , Entertainment Weekly

  Even as the film teases us with the underlying ''sensuality'' of the relationship, it fails to portray it as a convincing human bond. Mrs. Brown is stately yet depressed, like Victoria.

• Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

  A highly resonant testament to the redemptive power of love--one that transcends traditional romantic definitions.

• Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

  terrific performances make it a must-see

• Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

  Fine Judi Dench starring drama.

• Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

  This discreet drama failed to get to me emotionally.

• Luanne Brown, Hometownsource.com

  Interesting, but didn't love it.

• John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online

  Dench's Victoria has a full palette of pent-up emotions bubbling inside her like a pressure-cooker; one can feel the power of her anguish...

• Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer

  The political nuances of Mrs. Brown may be obscure to most Americans, but you need no expertise in British history to appreciate Ms. Dench's honesty or Mr. Connolly's ferocity,or Anthony Sher's sly turn as the sharp-witted Disraeli.

• Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine

  Despite a few passing similarities to "The Madness of King George" and "Carrington," "Mrs. Brown" succeeds bravely on its own terms, owing much to freshman scribe Jeremy Brock's outstanding blending of fact and speculation.

• Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

  Explores the platonic friendship between the Queen of the British empire and a Scottish servant.

• Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

  Unfortunately, the performances are not enough to carry this film, which feels much longer than its 83 minutes running time.

• William Mager, BBC

  Judi Dench's glacial, reserved demeanour contrasts beautifully with Billy Connolly's natural, rebellious exuberance, and their resultant spark of chemistry is undeniable.

• Barbara Shulgasser, San Francisco Examiner

  If the movie crumbles under its own stiffness at times, at least it has the two old pros' good performances to cheer us along the way.

• Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

  Helping things greatly is the film's talented cast, which not only includes stunning performances from the leads, but a scene-stealing turn by Sher as well.

• Russell Smith, Austin Chronicle

  Assuming that rich human insight, great production values, and topnotch acting still count for something, Mrs. Brown should have no trouble finding an appreciative audience.

• Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

  How the story resolves itself is a bit unusual and not near as tidily wrapped up as we have come to expect from our films. More like real life.

• Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

  Connolly is a revelation. He is one of these rare beasts who have the ability to bring with him his strong presence and renown, but skillfully in the mix, manages to detach himself from his persona and mould himself into the character.

Read all 21 critic reviews