2017 ( UK | USA ) ( Biography, Drama, History )
DIRECTOR: Stephen Frears
STARRING: Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Tim Pigott-Smith
It’s 1887 and the Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) is worn out after half a century of service. In her first scene she barely looks up from her plate as she races through a royal banquet, flickering to life only when 24-year-old Karim (Ali Fazai) is brought over from India to present a commemorative coin to her. She’s immediately taken with him and before he knows it he’s been brought into her service and named as her ‘munshi’ (teacher). The friendship that develops between the two has its fun moments as the lonely old queen blossoms in the company of an outsider. Naturally all the outraged hangers-on at court and Prime Minister Lord Salisbury (Michael Gambon) consider Abdul to be a danger to the stability of the monarchy. Meanwhile Bertie (Eddie Izzard), Prince Of Wales and future king, hangs around the royal household like a bad smell. Soon wheels are set in motion to send Abdul packing.
It’s an interesting story and the cast play it to perfection… and Judi Dench steals every scene.
(1hr 51min)