Story
Victoria and Abdul is based on the book of same name by Shrabani Basu, and on the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian servant Abdul Karim.
Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria's (Judi Dench) golden jubilee. He and a companion, Mohammed, are to present the Queen with a ceremonial coin. The Queen is instantly attracted to the handsome young clerk who, against the rules, makes eye contact with her.
Abdul is ordered to stay in Britain and promoted by the Queen to the role of her ‘munshee’ – advisor on India and language teacher. Victoria and Abdul forge an unlikely and devoted friendship, which gives Victoria a new zest for life. But many people – members of the Royal Household, the heir to the throne Prince Albert, the Prime Minister and other officials – are horrified and determined to end the friendship.
Themes
Colonialism and the British Empire; racism; the life of a monarch; ageing; sexually transmitted disease
Violence
Victoria and Abdul has some violence. For example:
Sexual references
Victoria and Abdul has some sexual references. For example:
- People discuss the fact that Abdul’s wife doesn’t seem able to have children. A doctor is asked to examine her ‘downstairs’.
- Abdul is described as being ‘riddled with the clap’. The Queen is later told that Abdul has gonorrhoea.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
There is some use of substances in Victoria and Abdul. For example, people drink at state banquets.
Nudity and sexual activity
None of concern
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
Victoria and Abdul some coarse language and some racist language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Victoria and Abdul is an interesting and moving historical drama, with some lighter moments. Based on a true story, it shows Queen Victoria at the end of her life, still grieving her husband Albert and servant John Brown, and feeling very much a prisoner in her own life. She has no friends and is surrounded by people who criticise her behind her back, but curry favour in her presence. The arrival of a handsome and very different young man from India and the friendship that develops between them gives her life new meaning.
Victoria and Abdul is most likely to be enjoyed by adults. The story is likely to lack interest for children under 10 years, and there are scenes and themes that might confuse or scare younger viewers. The movie also has some coarse and racist language. For these reasons, we recommend parental guidance for children aged 10-14 years.
The main message from this movie is that true friendship can develop between people of very different ages, race, religion and positions in life.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include accepting difference, avoiding racism and being honest.
You could also talk with your children about issues like:
- the life of a monarch as shown in the movie
- colonialism and the British Empire,
- religion.