Dame Judi Dench is Spectacular in VICTORIA AND ABDUL

I don’t know about you, but whenever I think about the British monarchy, I picture people who have no sense of humor and are stiff and cold at best.

Well baby, apparently Queen Victoria was NONE of that! Based on journalist Shrabani Basu’s book Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant, Victoria & Abdul reveals this extraordinary and unlikely friendship between the monarchy’s Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim. The story is derived from their own diaries and journals exposing how a young Indian clerk becomes a teacher, spiritual advisor and devoted friend to the most powerful woman of her time.

There are few things that stuck with me after watching this film.

Even in the 21st century, women are not given the common decency or respect of being just as brilliant if not more than their male counterparts. Look how disrespected and attacked Hillary Clinton or any woman who has run for the most powerful position in our country has been treated? Apparently, it’s a gender disease that is worldwide.

Muslim’s seem to catch hell now and they surely were reviled in 1800’s Britain.

Kinda like African-Americans or any ethnicity that the masses don’t understand and are treated less than out of simple “race fear.”

Which bring me to DACA. The British ruled over India and wouldn’t let them into the country unless they were coming for a specific task evolving around the royal family. Like gifting a mujere to the Queen.

Last, but not least, the issue of ageism and how completely disrespectful society is to those who are of an elderly status….even the Queen of England. Her her son wanted her declared insane over her friendship with Abdul that lasted for the final 15 days of her life.

Dame Judi Dench is simply brilliant as Queen Victoria. Dench layers Victoria with such humanistic complexity that you can’t help but wish the Queen was alive today to hang out with you and your squad!

That speech where she reads the entire staff for wanting her to sign a power of attorney declaring the Queen insane, due to lack of understanding of her relationship with Abdul, will surely clinch another Oscar nod for this amazingly, versatile actress. Dame Judi Dench is a class act every time she hits the silver screen.

Ali Fazal is spectacularly reminiscent of a young Omar Sharif from ” Funny Girl.” His charisma and chemistry with Dench is undeniable, simply making them an onscreen duo for the ages. My friend and colleague Albert Lawrence (@alberttalks) recently sat down an spoke with Fazal on behalf of The Curvy Film Critic. Take a listen…

The unforgettable Royal Jubilee dinner scene was re-created at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood that was one of the most lavish and royal events I have ever been privy to.

Consisting of 4-6 courses, the most hilarious part of this is Queen Victoria ate her meals with such amazing speed, that often times her guests were not able to complete their meals. Why? Once the Queen was done the plates were cleared, so you had to be like a reality show contestant to compete with her majesty.

Among the attendees were Rotten Tomatoes’ Grae Drake, Innovation Nation’s (CBS) Albert Lawrence, Designer and fashion influencer Joe Zee, Maria Conchita-Alonso, Actresses Jacqueline Bissett, Tovah Feldshuh and yours truly…here is a little sneak peek into what I experienced. You can see my tiny little head behind Dame Judi in the group photo…but don’t strain your eyes looking…LOL