Victoria and Abdul (2017)–An Imperial Friendship
In Victoria
and Abdul the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria (the majestic Judi
Dench) is about to be celebrated in all its pomp and circumstance. The year is 1887 and Queen Victoria is sixty-eight years old. An honorary gold coin–
a Mohur– has been minted as a token of appreciation from British-ruled India recognizing
Victoria as the Empress of India. Two Indians are conscripted to deliver the
Mohur: Abdul (Ali Fazal) and Mohammed (Adeel Akhtar).
The early comedic scenes tease with the warm-hearted, kind
and generous nature of an elderly...