Review of Victoria & Abdul (2017) by Azj C — 05 Oct 2017

Overall, the film presents an enjoyable and curious depiction of an actual platonic relationship between the ever alluring Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim. As suggested in the opening sequence, the film is based on "True Events...mostly." That is where I begin my critique of the critics who are using that line to negate much of the film.

As with ANY production based on true events, artistic license is necessary to fill in all of the tidbits for which someone was not present or for which we have little or no record. After all, "Titanic," "The Buddy Holly Story," or Broadway's "Hamilton" are all based on true events, but it is up for debate whether Alexander Hamilton or Aaron Burr ever broke into free-style rap ...let alone a jaunty song and dance number. So for the critics who dismiss the artistic license aspect of the film, you are discrediting the very essence of the entertainment value present in ALL productions whether fictitious or factual.

That being said, subsequent research actually supports many o the events in the film eluding to a fairly factual depiction of the relationship. Needless to say, some of the complexities have been watered down a bit to fit in the time allotted and to relate to a modern audience. However, it would seem that some critics dismiss much of the film based entirely on their inability to comprehend the depth of relationship between two characters of opposing backgrounds. I believe that is because we so strongly relegate each character to their "black & white" societal roles. Victoria is simply revered as an Empirical Colonial oppressor and Abdul is simply the voice of oppressed India. Therefore, the relationship in the film seems a flight of two dimensional fancy. However, human nature must be taken into account. It is not so impossible to believe that Victoria spent much of her reign at an arms-length distance from many of the countries under her reign. Not solely from ignorance, but also, in part, due to the protective shield of an array of advisors and confidants who likely presented the Queen with a homogenized impression of the colony. So her immediate intrigue with Abdul as a tangible source of reality is not so far-fetched. As for Abdul, it is not entirely difficult to believe that he viewed Victoria as having more depth than a simply a foreign oppressor.

To dismiss the relationship in the film as fantasy does a disservice to human nature. It is certainly possible that much of Abdul's motivation was to possibly bridge a divide between India and the Queen as the opportunity presented itself. It is also likely that after years of being shrouded from the truth, Victoria saw an opportunity to become acquainted with a true perspective of India. After all, Abdul was the first person to come along in awhile who treated the Queen "as a human being." (based on research that is her actual sentiment about Abdul). It is also likely, and get ready to gasp, that in spite of the age difference and her role as monarch, the Queen may also have been a bit entranced by exotic charm and attracted to Abdul...she was only human.

In short, respect the film for what it is, truth enhanced with some romanticized period trimmings. We will never truly know every sentiment or experience shared between Victoria an Abdul...but the relationship persisted for nearly 14 years. The queen did attempt to read and write Urdu. She commissioned numerous portraits of him. The Queen moved his family to England. He was granted prestigious honors and, lastly, Abdul was at her bedside upon her death at the Queen's request...so there is definitely a depth to their relationship that cannot be dismissed simply as a "whitewashed" fantasy between oppressor and the oppressed. There is truth in it...and as with all history, there is something to be learned. 4/5 stars.