VICTORIA & ABDUL -- a film review

VICTORIA  &  ABDUL   -- a film review

Based on Shrabani Basu’s book with the same title ‘Victoria & Abdul’, the movie directed by Stephen Frears deals with the delicate friendship between the Empress of India and a common manservant from Agra.

In connection with BBC Films, Director Stephen Frears -- who has given us movies like The Grifters, Philomena, My Beautiful Laundrette and others -- deals here with the complexities of an undesirable alliance (from the British Raj point of view) between Queen Victoria (Judy Dench) who, by her own admission, is a cantankerous, fat, lame and ‘an impotent old woman’, and Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) from India who is transported to the Buckingham Palace to present the commemorative gold coin ‘Mohur’ celebrating the Golden Jubilee of HRH.

Victoria is lonely and under the hawk-eyes of her royal doctor, Dr. Reed, and Sir Henry Ponsonby (the late Tim Pigott- Smith) who hover around her at all times with some other ladies in waiting. She has no real friends and in Abdul she finds a caring soul, a poet and a philosopher. He introduces her to the mysteries of the east, especially India, a land she has never visited even as its Empress. She hears of its spicy cuisines and innumerable languages, even the intricate weaving of fanciful patterns on carpets replete with deep philosophy. She is mesmerized by the fascinating exploits and glories of the Mughul rulers that adds a new dimension to her vision as a monarch. She even decides to take lessons in Urdu from Abdul much to his delight but to the chagrin of those who curry favours with her. They plot and plan to destroy the relationship when the Queen wishes to elevate Abdul from the position of a mere servant to the role of a ‘Munshi’ or a teacher. Later when she even considers him to be knighted she scandalizes the courtiers including her son Bertie who became King Edward VI soon after she passes away.

Dame Judy Dench as Queen Victoria looks every inch a queen, regal and overpowering. Her portrayal of the stern, temperamental monarch yet a kind woman is remarkably captivating.

Ali Fazal as Abdul is charming but had little to do other than smile and be grovellingly servile. But that’s not his fault. The script by Lee Hall leaves no room for him to be alive and upright and so Abdul’s character remains as flat as a piece of cardboard. Little is known about his true intentions to be so subservient -- whether it was just being loyal to the mighty ruler of his land or thoughts of personal gain mingled with it. Even his personal life remains a mystery and not much is disclosed about his background.

Yet the movie was lyrical in presentation and a treat to the eyes with excellent photography and as a costume drama. The music too was pleasing to the ears.

If one is not looking for streaks of political gains and losses that made real history taking sides or even 'authenticity' in the intricacies of the tale -- ‘Victoria & Abdul’ is certainly a movie to watch. It’s to be appreciated especially by those who often prefer sensitive sagas to fast paced Sci-Fies or even thrillers.
I liked it better than 'The Viceroy's House' by Gurinder Chaddha.

Dola Dutta Roy © October 2017