Review of Victoria & Abdul (2017) by Ginak — 09 Nov 2017

I am on the fence about whether to give this film a high yellow grade or a low green, and will go with the latter. It’s not a dull film, but as I watched it, I kept feeling that it should have been better/smarter.

The most winning actor in the film (dare I say this in front of Judi Dench fans?) was Ali Fazal who was always animated and fun to watch. Judi Dench was not at her best (perhaps she is bored with playing Victoria?), but even then, she was always a lively presence on screen (even when dying).

Also outstanding were Eddie Izzard as “Bertie” who is Victoria’s heir – although not as all as fat or unpleasant as the “real” Bertie who died soon after inheriting the throne. Also outstanding as always were Michael Gambon, Simon Callow (as the opera composer “Mr.

” Puccini) and Olivia Williams who was so great (and archly slimy) in Polanski’s wonderful film The Ghost Writer.