FILM | 'Victoria and Abdul': an unlikely friendship
'Victoria & Abdul' tells the story of Queen Victoria, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.
There's nothing the English do better than producing a period drama starring one of their country's greatest actresses - Dame Judi Dench. Returning to the role of Queen Victoria twenty years after she first played the monarch in 'Mrs. Brown', Dench truly makes the film one worth seeing.
On the other hand, Ali Fazal's Abdul Karim receives less screentime, though in some ways proving a captivating character. With Victoria's stuttering son Bertie a.k.a. King Edward VII (played by Eddie Izzard), we see that Karim is someone who remains close to Victoria as a means of obtaining wealth and power.
Unfortunately, viewers expect to see a flourishing relationship between the queen and he clerk, but Karim comes off as little more than a half-shaded character throughout. As the film rolls on, similarities to that of 'Driving Miss Daisy' begin to emerge, and the audience wonders if this is a story we've heard before.
While 'Victoria & Abdul' remains a feast for the eyes and all technicalities handled with precision, the imbalance between the titular characters is evident. Dench is in a league of her own, while Fazal struggles to keep up with his co-star's prowess.
Despite such weakness, overall the film is enjoyable. It's also nice to see a platonic relationship blossoming onscreen as opposed to the romantic.
'Victoria & Abdul' is in cinemas now.
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