X
- 2017
- PG-13
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
- 2017
- PG-13
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
Summary The extraordinary true story of an unlikely friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria's (Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen's Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her lon...
Directed By: Stephen Frears
Written By: Lee Hall, Shrabani Basu
- 2017
- PG-13
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
- 2017
- PG-13
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
Victoria and Abdul
58
6.1
Where to Watch
Summary The extraordinary true story of an unlikely friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria's (Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen's Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her lon...
Directed By: Stephen Frears
Written By: Lee Hall, Shrabani Basu
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
58
53% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
39% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
8% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
58
53% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
39% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
8% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Judi Dench can do no wrong, and playing Queen Victoria for the second time in the richly satisfying Victoria and Abdul is an acting lesson par excellence that proves how rapturous it is to watch this great artist do everything right.
Frears isn’t just telling a pleasant story about an unusual friendship; he’s asking us to take a look at whether we have advanced as far in 120 years as we believe we have. The question lingers after the movie is over.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 74 User Ratings
6.1
47% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
41% Mixed
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
12% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 74 User Ratings
6.1
47% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
41% Mixed
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
12% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
The first thing anyone will say after watching this movie is how utterly amazing Judi Dench is, and rightly so, she ones again dons the robes of Queen Victoria and gives a commanding performance as one of the most famous monarchs. A performance worthy of an Oscar, she is an actress with unrivalled talent. This film is so much more then Dench's performance, spellbinding though it was.
Ali Fazal, also worthy of accolades and awards, for his superb performance as Indian servant Abdul Karim. His performance is actually rather captivating, The Queen was taken under his spell and as a viewer so was I. Such an intriguing, fascinating character, probably unlike any other man she'd ever encountered.
Superb production values throughout, the film was visually dazzling, sumptuous settings, jaw dropping costumes, this was a treat for the senses.
A film is meant to move, and allow for escapism, when it can educate as well, it's worth of the elevated sore of 10/10.
Absolutely loved it.
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Uneven but endearing.
Lucky for us, Dench and Frears pick up the slack and turn slim pickings into a fun time at the movies. But Victoria & Abdul could have been oh so much more.
Even Dench, while adeptly highlighting the vulnerabilities of age and the loneliness of power, can’t distract from the soft treatment, which leaves little room for the harsh realities of prejudice which must have made this a more painful and ugly chapter for many involved than this film ever dares suggest.
It’s just another piece of well-decorated regal real estate.
It is difficult to work out what to dislike most about Victoria and Abdul: the literal foot-licking or the cliché-ridden plot, but the greatest shame is the waste of a genuinely fascinating piece of history and a world-class Judi Dench performance.
I really enjoyed this film, with Judi Dench playing the titular queen, being very self assured and deciding to do things that surprise and astound other members of the royal household staff, much to my amusement. Meanwhile, Ali Fazal plays Abdul - someone who seems rather humble and initially is less than impressed at the prospect of having to travel, to present the queen with a coin at an official ceremony. I thought it was charming how the friendship between the two of them developed, seeing the curiosity and interest in the queen towards learning more about Abduls culture, the food and teachings of India etc. There is some pretty good cinematography, with various landscape panoramas shown during the characters travels, both within and outwith the UK. The pure lavishness of their surroundings is something to see, if nothing else.
Cast wise, I also liked Eddie Izzard, who plays Bertie, Prince of Wales - he doesn't think a great deal of the new found friendship Victoria finds. I also found it amusing when Puccini (played by Simon Callow) was present.
I believe this film is based on a true story, which made it all the more interesting to me and I know I really enjoyed another similar film, which also stars Judi Dench as Queen Victoria. A film called Mrs Brown, in which Billy Connolly plays John Brown. Coincidentally, Brown is referenced in this film. I do think Judi Dench does do particularly well at portraying the forthright queen. Of course there is undoubtedly a racist element, with the indian colonisation side of things - there are some cringe-y moments with members of royal household staff making some very unfair judgements and rude comments, somewhat unsurprisingly given the circumstances of the plot. Watching it, I felt more keen on queen Victoria for how she responded - I'll say no more so as not to provide any spoilers.
I would very much recommend this film as a period drama which is based on a true story, yes.
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Judi Dench turns in another fine performance as Queen Victoria in her later years. The regent has become rather bored with life until she meets a young man from India (Ali Fazal). Their close relationship brightens her outlook, stimulates new learning opportunities and opens her mind, while enraging the rest of her traditional household. The film features the expected visual splendor and stiff British traditions that we expect from these period dramas, but it's lacking a real emotional bond (between the duo or between the audience and the filmmaker). It's light and entertaining, but lacks any originality in the writing or much depth in the relationships. An interesting historical footnote
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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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Production Company
Focus Features,
Perfect World Pictures,
BBC Film,
Working Title Films,
Cross Street Films
Release Date Sep 22, 2017
Duration 1 h 51 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline History's most unlikely friendship
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 2 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Satellite Awards
• 3 Nominations
