Victoria & Abdul
Biography, historical drama. With Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Olivia Williams and Michael Gambon. Director: Stephen Frears. PG13
JUDI DENCH dusts off her crown and settles back in the throne to reprise her role as long-reigning Queen Victoria after playing the monarch two decades ago in Mrs Brown. This film is set some years after Mrs Brown – which told the story of the queen’s Scottish confidant, John Brown – and also focuses on a friendship the ageing, widowed royal had with a male servant – this time a 24-year-old Indian clerk, Abdul Karim.
Abdul (played by Bollywood star Ali Fazal, last seen in a cameo in Fast & Furious 7) was brought from India to serve at the queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1887. The two forged an unlikely and devoted alliance and Abdul remained close to her until her death in 1901.
The film is based on the book Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant by Shrabani Basu, which uncovered the story of their relationship from a series of letters and diaries written by Abdul.
At the time it was considered scandalous that the queen had a friendship with – and was a student to – a subject from India. When she died, her son King Edward (played by Eddie Izzard in the film) ordered all records of their relationship, including letters and photographs, be destroyed.
The film, based largely on real events, plays like a light-hearted culture clash comedy, deftly sidestepping matters of colonialism and servitude which might have lent it more gravitas. Nonetheless, Dench and Fazal bring warmth and humanity to their roles, making Victoria & Abdul an engaging movie. – COMPILED BY DENNIS CAVERNELIS SOURCES: BBC, TELEGRAPH, THR.COM, WASHINGTONTIMES.COM, THEMARYSUE.COM