It's 1887 Agra, India. Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) is a clerk in the local jail. Due to his height, he is picked to present Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) with a mohur for her Jubilee. He is eager for the prestigious opportunity although the other presenter is the much shorter and angry Mohammed. During the ceremony, Abdul makes forbidden eye contact with the Queen and she is taken with the tall dark stranger. She befriends him and makes him her Munshi which raises the concern of the court especially the heir Bertie, Prince of Wales (Eddie Izzard).
The idea of the legendary Queen being taught by an Islamic scholar is profound history. This could be powerful with good tension and high drama. To achieve that, the movie has to hit precisely with Abdul. To me, he's played as too childlike. There is a way to do excitement without being childish. It diminishes his character which makes his lies more childlike. He needs nobility which is only partly there. Judi Dench is obviously a great actress and playing the Queen is well within her range. There is a powerful scene with her professing her loneliness. It would be more powerful if the tone isn't so light. Director Stephen Frears is trying to be too cute by half. The cutesy touches combine to lighten the much needed darker tension.
The idea of the legendary Queen being taught by an Islamic scholar is profound history. This could be powerful with good tension and high drama. To achieve that, the movie has to hit precisely with Abdul. To me, he's played as too childlike. There is a way to do excitement without being childish. It diminishes his character which makes his lies more childlike. He needs nobility which is only partly there. Judi Dench is obviously a great actress and playing the Queen is well within her range. There is a powerful scene with her professing her loneliness. It would be more powerful if the tone isn't so light. Director Stephen Frears is trying to be too cute by half. The cutesy touches combine to lighten the much needed darker tension.