Review of Viceroy's House (2017) by David B — 23 Feb 2017

If entertainment can deal with the largest refugee crisis in world history with the accessibility and intelligence that an informed public demand, wrapped up in the familiar "Hugh" of the British saga of the Upstairs/downstairs of Downton Abbey, whilst walking the most intricate line to show humanity, truth & empathy in the face of racism and political agendas and some how make it palatable and profound at the same time, I cannot think of anyone better & better placed that Gurinder Chudha!!!

This is a perfectly timed and smartly committed film, go see it!

Using the format of entertainment Gurinder Chadha interweaves the most complex of human emotions into a historical accurate story to reflect a dark and harrowing end of the British Empire and the birth of an independent India and Pakistan after 300 years of colonial rule. The demands of that history that created the largest refugee crisis of 14 million people and the massacre of 1 people is so intelligently dealt with that I was left quiet stunned after as it brings together ones reasoning, intelligence & empathy and ultimately understanding of human cruelty & suffering in a way that whilst so tangible complex and real is served up so as to reflect & more importantly tap into current affairs & show how world politics, power and state manipulate nations at the expense of life.

Characters are wonderfully played by a Stella cast of favourite, the production is of the highest order and mass audiences will not be bored because it's in the smaller stories that the truth is told, they resonate and show in an honest way whilst stirring up ones emotions and laying bare the multiple truths that leave you with an understand of such complex meanings that they stay with you well after you leave the cinema.

The river of blood that run through our recent history are laid out and only a fool who hides there head or who's heart is full of hate would not see that much of what has been crafted heralds a cry to be political and active because we are again being manipulated and divided by world leaders who's agendas are greed and power at the expense of human life!!!

Five star!!!!!