VICTORIA AND ABDUL Trailer
The ever alluring pull of the British monarchy strikes again with Victoria and Abdul, which plucks an unlikely and potentially dangerous relationship from the annals of Queen Victoria’s reign.
The friendship between Victoria and Abdul Karim formed late in the Queen’s life, and Karim’s elevated status in Victoria’s mind brought up the expected social complications. At the time, an Indian man would not be accepted as equal to white staff, and her insistence on keeping him close and in a position of respect was used as ammunition against her. When you combine this behavior with her advanced age, political opponents suddenly had cracks to chip away at.
So who do you recruit to play a stubborn, no-nonsense monarch? Judi Dench, of course. She already played Queen Victoria twenty years ago in Mrs. Brown (which is, oddly enough, about another scandalous friendship), but no one can accuse this of being stunt casting. Dench is always a delight, and who doesn’t enjoy seeing her quip about the bore of overlong royal events?
It’s all very comfortable for director Stephen Frears as well, who has worked with Dench and taken on the crown before. As for Abdul, Bollywood and Furious 7 actor Ali Fazal was brought in, marking his largest role in an English language production.
Victoria and Abdul aims to be a lighthearted take on this history lesson, fitting for what was allegedly an easy and natural friendship. It will likely serve as a welcome break from awards season seriousness.
Victoria and Abdul is directed by Stephen Frears and stars Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, and Michael Gambon. It will be released in the U.K. on September 15th, 2017 and in the U.S. on September 22nd, 2017. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think Victoria and Abdul will be a charmer? Let us know in the comments!
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