Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown
Miramax Films | Release Date: July 18, 1997 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews
Positive:
17
Mixed:
5
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The New RepublicStanley Kauffmann
The film's authority rests first and finally on the two actors in the leading roles. They are utterly reassuring. [4 August 1997, p. 26]
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
A love story about two strong-willed people who find exhilaration in testing each other. It is not about sexual love, or even romantic love, really, but about that kind of love based on challenge and fascination. Read full review
88
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Mrs. Brown will delight and touch any viewer who seeks it out. Read full review
80
EmpireDarren Bignell
Before you know it, you're caught up in a difficult but touching friendship, and enjoying a history lesson more than you ever thought possible. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
Their personality types match up splendidly with the characters they play as well as each other, and Mrs. Brown's greatest pleasure is seeing and hearing them spar. Even with the gloves on, this is a battle well worth observing. Read full review
80
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Queen Victoria is played with splendid regal grace by Judi Dench. Read full review
80
NewsweekDavid Ansen
This true story, deftly embellished by writer Jeremy Brock and directed at a bracing English trot by John Madden, is a splendid showcase for its three superb leads. [28 July, 1997, p. 69]
80
VarietyEmanuel Levy
Though there are a number of outdoor scenes and production values are handsome, ultimately it's the narrow focus and chamber nature of the material that lends the movie its resonance and emotional power. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Director John Madden calmly dissects the emotions of a woman whose personal life is effectively nonexistent. Read full review
80
Washington PostRita Kempley
Classy fare, with posh settings, gorgeous scenery and lots and lots of polishing from director John Madden ("Ethan Frome") and writer Jeremy Brock. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Mrs. Brown will not overturn Queen Victoria's prim reputation, but it reminds us that there was more to the woman than that famous plump cameo that has become the symbol of a more modest era. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleEdward Guthmann
A first-rate historical drama. Read full review
75
USA TodayMike Clark
Beguiling Victoriana. [18 July 1997, p.4D]
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Poignant, witty, historically illuminating. Read full review
70
TimeRichard Corliss
This British film has the regal, clubby aura of Masterpiece Theatre. [21 July 1997, p. 70]
67
Austin ChronicleRussell Smith
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. Read full review
63
San Francisco ExaminerBarbara Shulgasser
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. Read full review
60
SalonLaura Miller
Scottish comedian Billy Connolly shows ample ability in the role, but he can't locate much charm in the character. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Elegant yet surprisingly remote royal-court drama. Read full review
50
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
Despite its Scottish scenery and period frocks, Madden's film proves a pallid creature indeed compared to the hanky-panky leaking out of Buckingham Palace of late. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubJohn Gustafson
There's really no bad performance by the great English actress Judi Dench, but this romanticized Victorian historical drama treads close. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineSandra Contreras
An intelligent story for the kilts-and-corsets crowd. Read full review
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