Victoria & Abdul
21/09/17 Filed in: Cinema
Judi Dench once again plays Queen Victoria in this light and amusing story of how the ageing Queen became quite enchanted with a young Indian man, who had come to present a gift from India as part of the sovereign's Golden Jubilee. The film is inspired by a true story, although the leading credits do append the word 'mostly' after the 'based on true events' slogan.
There is no doubt, however, that Abdul became a very close confidant of the Queen, and she rewarded him handsomely as a result. This didn't go down well with the royal household, and much of the film's humour arises from the reaction of the assembled dignitaries who watch on in disgust as this low-born Indian receives the Queen's closest attention. Victoria's Albert had died many years earlier, and her friendship with John Brown, the subject of Dench's other outing as Victoria, was sorely missed after he also died. Abdul filled this void.
Originally Abdul, and his travelling partner, Mohammed, were supposed only to present a gold coin, a mohar, and that was to be it. This particular sequence is very amusing, as both men feel aggrieved that the promised cushion, upon which the coin was to rest, has been supplanted by a mere tray. What's more, poor Mohammed has nothing to carry, so follows Abdul with his hands outstretched as if holding an imaginary tray. The strict protocol, "don't look at her eyes", breaks down when Abdul does just that, then he really causes a stir by kissing her feet. From this point on Victoria appears to be smitten, and it isn't long before Abdul becomes her Munshi, or teacher of all things Indian. She is shown learning Urdu, which as the head of the Church of England instils horror in her entourage.
Things become even more surreal when, after Victoria learns that Abdul is married, she tells him to bring his wife over as soon as possible. His wife is accompanied by her mother, both arriving dressed in a full yashmak. You can imagine the reaction of the royal followers to this. At one point the household threaten mass resignation. Her imperious highness very quickly kicks that into touch. You don't become one of the greatest monarchs that the world has known without being able to dispatch a few grumpy self-aggrandising upstarts.
This story takes place during the Queen's final years and we see a woman who has begun to question her usefulness, her closeness to Abdul providing her with reassurance and new purpose. But his position remained precarious, and on the Queen's death, her son 'Bertie', was quick to remove him along with all evidence of his existence in the royal court. The relationship was to be regarded as the most scandalous period of her 64-year reign. But in 2010 Abdul's diary surfaced, it having been safeguarded by his relatives, and was recognisable as being the type of stationery used in Windsor. A very interesting account can be read in an article on the Telegraph website.
I have absolutely no doubt that this film will be a great success. Judi Dench is an actor who can fill cinemas, and in this case she has wonderful material to work with. The al fresco meal in the Scottish highlands is hilarious.
Things become even more surreal when, after Victoria learns that Abdul is married, she tells him to bring his wife over as soon as possible. His wife is accompanied by her mother, both arriving dressed in a full yashmak. You can imagine the reaction of the royal followers to this. At one point the household threaten mass resignation. Her imperious highness very quickly kicks that into touch. You don't become one of the greatest monarchs that the world has known without being able to dispatch a few grumpy self-aggrandising upstarts.
This story takes place during the Queen's final years and we see a woman who has begun to question her usefulness, her closeness to Abdul providing her with reassurance and new purpose. But his position remained precarious, and on the Queen's death, her son 'Bertie', was quick to remove him along with all evidence of his existence in the royal court. The relationship was to be regarded as the most scandalous period of her 64-year reign. But in 2010 Abdul's diary surfaced, it having been safeguarded by his relatives, and was recognisable as being the type of stationery used in Windsor. A very interesting account can be read in an article on the Telegraph website.
I have absolutely no doubt that this film will be a great success. Judi Dench is an actor who can fill cinemas, and in this case she has wonderful material to work with. The al fresco meal in the Scottish highlands is hilarious.