British political history swirls around "The Young Victoria."

Ignore it.

Concentrate instead on the delicious love story at the heart of Jean-Marc Vallee's film, a delectable blend of clear-eyed observation and flat-out swooning that pushes Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada") a few steps closer to full-fledged stardom — and maybe an Oscar nomination.

When we think of Queen Victoria (if we think at all of Queen Victoria), our mental image is invariably of the stiff old lady in black lace muttering an imperious "We are not amused!"

Most recently, she has been played by Judi Dench in "Mrs. Brown." But common sense tells us that Victoria was at one time a young woman with all the dreams, urges and aches of any young woman. That's the Victoria we get in this hugely enjoyable soap from the pen of Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park").

As the heir to the throne of England, young Victoria (Blunt) is a virtual prisoner, required to hold the hand of another person every time she uses a stairway lest she trip and totally mess up the royal succession.

Moreover, she must cope with her smothering mother, the Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson), and the duchess's Machiavellian adviser, Sir John Conroy (Mark Strong, who is also the villain in "Sherlock Holmes"). These connivers decide that upon the death of Victoria's uncle, King William (a cranky Jim Broadbent), they will install Victoria as their puppet monarch and seize control of the government.

Over on the Continent, another of Victoria's uncles, King Leopold of Belgium (Thomas Kretschmann), has his own manipulative plans. He sends Victoria's cousin Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) to England to assess the situation. Albert, though, finds he's less inclined to spy on Victoria than to woo her.

By this time, though, Victoria has fallen under the influence of Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), who wants to use her as much as anybody else but hides his agenda by playing the friendly adviser and counselor.

And ... and ... and it's all very confusing unless you know your English history inside out.

Happily, it doesn't matter, because we can concentrate on the budding romance of Victoria and Albert, who team up to defy their families and the scheming string-pullers surrounding them.

Together they will embrace their own vision of England.

Just a couple of crazy kids with stars in their eyes.

Only kidding. Actually the pair prove a savvy team, as deft in the throne room as they are bawdy in the bedroom. Their marriage produced nine children who married into European monarchies, a far-flung web of royal connections that endures to this day.

"The Young Victoria" is overflowing with British actors who wear those stiff costumes as if they were second skins. But the focus is on Blunt and Friend, and they're quite wonderful. Blunt nicely navigates the transition from frustrated, petulant princess to ruler. And while I found him irritating in last summer's "Cheri," Friend is endearing as the apple-cheeked Albert, who finds in Victoria a soul mate and political ally. They make a handsome, unstoppable team.

Vallee gives his film a more contemporary feel with some snappy editing, but there's plenty of time to linger over the sumptuous castles and drawing rooms and to watch Blunt work her way through a succession of beautiful costumes.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself murmuring a happy "Aaaaaaaaaaah."