Tuesday 19 September 2017

Film: 'Victoria & Abdul'

Okay, so I enjoyed this more than some viewers did. 
There haven't been that many films featuring this monarch when so advanced in years (in fact I can't think of any!) as compared to the numerous portrayals of the young Victoria's courtship with, and marriage to, Albert, so I found it refreshing from that viewpoint. Furthermore, director Stephen Frears is a name never to be lightly dismissed and he shows his expert hand throughout this depiction of a 'mostly' factual period in late 19th century British royal history.

The now aged Queen (Judi Dench, of course) is weary with life and tired of the daily royal protocols she must adopt as head of state, when she is unexpectedly visited by Abdul (Ali Fazal), chosen for his height, who comes all the way from India, bearing a newly- pressed medal signifying the Queen's recently bestowed honour of being recognised as Empress of India. She is immediately smitten by the young Indian's looks, despite his being half a century younger than herself, and by his unfussily forthright manner of talking to her. Soon she gets him to start teaching her the Urdu language, a study to which she applies herself with assiduity and enthusiasm. The entire royal household, both dignitaries and staff, and including Bertie, the future Edward VII (Eddie Izzard), are all to a man and woman horrified at the pair's closeness and the way events have turned, and they make no secret to her of their disapproval. But she's having none of it and is determined to carry on the relationship with Abdul as before.

The depiction of the period is very well shown though the Queen's ignorance of some aspects of India's troubled history seemed a little stretched to me. (Perhaps the truth was deliberately being withheld from her?) Although I knew the way the story turns out with its shameful ending, Stephen Frears kept me interested enough to want to see how it would be shown.
There is one episode of heavy sentiment but the film can be forgiven considering what gave rise to it.

Judi Dench is every bit as good as expected, and I did like Ali Fazal's Abdul too despite there being a bit of carping that it was a rather shallow depiction, though which I didn't find. (Incidentally, looking up his name I see that he and I share the same birthday, he being exactly 40 years my junior. Just saying.) 
The cast also includes the late, lamented, Tim Piggott-Smith in his final role.

It's hardly a film to set the cinema world alight, but it wasn't trying to be. It serves its purpose well in being a nice, entertaining piece of work which deserves to engender high enough satisfaction for all those involved in its production...............6.5.




12 comments:

  1. Yes, it was entertaining enough for an afternoon when I had nothing to do. It did not go beyond that but I think my expectations were too high. The cast were all brilliant without exception.

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    1. It was your (relatively minor) reservations which led me to lower my own expectations, Rachel, though only in the hope that if I did so maybe I'd like it more - and that's exactly how it worked out. So I'm glad you saw it before I did, and I thank you for that.

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    2. Thank you Ray. The last thing I ever want to do when writing about a film is put anybody off seeing it purely because of something I felt that may not be shared by everybody. There is a fine line there and as I am quite new to writing about films I try to take care about what I say if I have negatives.

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    3. A critique is a critique rachel.. nothing more, it's a personal reflection..anything less is a waste of time me thinks

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    4. Precisely so, J.G. A review is simply just one person's opinion among millions, whether that one is a lowly blogger like us or a critic in a national paper or on TV/radio. Each is as valid as the other.

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    5. I understand. Thank you. The only thing is that from the comments people leave me it seems that some hang on to my every word and then I feel bad about what I might have said because it is only my opinion.

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    6. I know what you mean, but what can one do? I also live in constant fear that one of my postings may have discouraged someone from seeing something that they had planned on investing time and money in, so I'm always repeating my plea for everyone to see what they like irrespective of my own or anyone else's opinion. One would think that all would appreciate that but, sadly, it's not so at all.

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    7. I always try to emphasize the positives but people seem to pick up on the negatives! Also if I am in any doubt about a film beforehand I can always consult one or two newspaper reviews if I want to. I always assumed other people do this too but it appears apparently some don't.

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  2. Raymundo, interesting! I thought you would hate it.
    I agree about your comments about Piggot smith...his was a rather good performance I thought

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    1. I might have had a less favourable impression if I'd seen it before you and Rachel, J.G., but both your views helped me all the more to see what was good in the film.

      Yes, I probably wouldn't have recognised T.P-S under that beard had I not known beforehand. It was painfully poignant seeing him there giving as good a performance as he's ever given.

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  3. Ray,
    I'm a big Judi Dench fan and I love English history. This sounds like a win-win movie for me to see. Thanks!
    Ron

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    1. You won't regret seeing it, Ron. It gets the 'Raybeard' seal of approval - and don't forget that the essential bits are true.

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