Review of Victoria & Abdul (2017) by Jon C — 03 Dec 2017

Judi Dench is phenomenal as Queen Victoria, Empress of India next to Ali Fazal as Abdul, her teacher.

Her behavior at the time of her rule was questionable by the monarch and considered out of character when she wanted to learn the language and about the culture.

Abdul and his father were mearly servants when they started out yet Victoria saw something in him that others didn't.

And considering so many were seeking power on the ladder she had a good reason to mistrust them even her family.

The cliché storyline does have its charms and the two leads make the journey very heartwarming.

Even though Victoria ruled the subcontinent of India she was willing to make Abdul as much as her equal as possible.

No one knows what it truly means to be queen, Abdul even says we're all here to serve a greater purpose and not to linger around then die.

I admit the ending was very heartbreaking but the filmmakers made the bond between these two ever bittersweet.

A great deal to learn from two cultures colliding with one another unexpectedly.