Emily Blunt may be beautiful, accomplished and engaged to John Krasinski, but the 26-year-old Brit’s humility has remained completely intact. With her latest starring role as Queen Victoria in Jean-Marc Vallee’s “The Young Victoria,” Blunt breathes life into the revered legend with her own down-to-earth nature.
Did you feel intimidated taking on the role of such a beloved historical figure?
I was more concerned about the way the British critics would react because I think people feel a need to protect the history. Everyone feels like they know who Queen Victoria is. Everyone’s done more research than you have. I tried to approach her as the girl who is in love for the first time, and she’s fighting and overwhelmed and growing up with all eyes upon her.
How was it wearing all those corsets?
It’s tough. I’m not going to lie. No wonder women were seen as weak creatures — they couldn’t breathe. No wonder they fainted all the time.
You’ve said that you had to starve yourself for “The Devil Wears Prada” — which role was more painful?
Probably “Prada” because of the shoes. The heels were off-the-charts high. Every shot you see from [waist up], we were wearing UGG boots as soon as we could. There’s no strolling around New York in high heels for me. Sarah Jessica Parker made it look easy.
Do you prefer acting in comedies over dramas, or vice versa?
I find that some of the best scripts out there are those with both comedic and dramatic beats, because often what makes people cry and what makes people empathize with the characters is that they’ve charmed them previously in the movie.
