Three weeks ago my husband and I went to see “Victoria and Abdul”.
Since visiting London in April I have been more interested than ever in the history of the British Royal Family which was the main reason I wanted to see the movie. The other big reason I wanted to see it was for Judi Dench. It’s funny that Judi Dench playing Queen Victoria was a reason I wanted to see this movie because twenty years ago when she played Queen Victoria in “Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown” I would have never have imagined that I would want to see a movie simply because she was in it.
Life is funny that way. Has there ever been another actress that has found the height of her on screen fame starting in her 60s?
I really loved the movie. I thought that it was funny but it had enough serious moments to make it more than a comedy. The film brilliantly explores the dynamics of how friendship can transcend age, gender, distance, culture and religion.
I really liked how the film also didn’t completely whitewash the negative aspects of British colonialism in India. Just because Victoria and Abdul were close friends didn’t mean that the clash between these two lands didn’t exist.
Judi Dench was absolutely fantastic.
She finds an amazing balance between being regal and accessible. Ali Fazal matches the charm and depth of Dench in his performance as Abdul.
All of the supporting performances are good, especially Eddie Izzard as Edward, Victoria’s oldest son and the future King of England.
I highly recommend “Victoria and Abdul” for anybody who is looking for a charming movie filled with excellent performances that perfectly walks the line between comedy and drama.
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Here is a description:
Justin Gomez and his sister, Terri, have never been close. Separated by nine years and distant in adulthood, Justin and Terri have little in common, except for the love of her three children. In the days before they embark on a road trip to visit the father that once abandoned them and their now deceased mother, both Terri and Justin are dealing with unexpected changes in their lives. Justin surprisingly realizes he might want more than a series of one night stands after a first date goes unexpectedly well. After a lifetime of being a strong type A personality, Terri is forced to confront the reality of the end of her marriage. As they hit the road, with Terri’s children in tow, they find themselves forced to rely on and confide in each other following a devastating event. Confronted with memories from the past and challenges from the present, Terri and Justin must dig deep and unearth the truth about themselves and their parents in order to build a new family based on their love for each other.
