HISTORY’S MOST UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP.
In 1887, Indian clerk Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) is one of two men hired to deliver a ceremonial gift to Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) in England; the ruler becomes fascinated by Abdul and makes him her spiritual guideā¦ Dench returned to the part of Queen Victoria after playing her in Mrs. Brown (1997), a film that depicted another āinappropriateā relationship with a man. Twenty years later, the Queen is portrayed as lonely and bored with her life; watching Dench clash with her son and household over her dark-skinned servant is very enjoyable. A crowd-pleaser for older audiences, handsome and well made, even though it fails to reach greatness.
2017-Britain-U.S. 112 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed byĀ Stephen Frears. Book: Shrabani Basu. Cast: Judi Dench (Victoria), Ali Fazal (Abdul Karim), Eddie Izzard (Bertie), Tim Pigott-Smith, Adeel Akhtar, Simon Callowā¦ Michael Gambon, Olivia Williams.
