There's really no bad performance by the great English actress Judi Dench, but this romanticized Victorian historical drama treads close.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
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.
The New York Times by Elvis Mitchell
Queen Victoria is played with splendid regal grace by Judi Dench.
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
Mrs. Brown will delight and touch any viewer who seeks it out.
Los Angeles Times by Kenneth 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.
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by 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.
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Elegant yet surprisingly remote royal-court drama.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger 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.
Austin Chronicle by Russell 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.