So, when I first chose our October pick, Victoria & Abdul, I was delighted that the timing of its Toronto release worked for us. Then they changed the date. So I switched us to Battle of the Sexes (depiction of the while-the-whole-world-watched 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs).
Well, now that it's been confirmed that V&A will arrive in time for our October outing. So I'm switching back to V&A. Judging by its hilarious trailer, and knowing that "Queen" Judi Dench's performances are always must-see, this movie will be even more of a delicious treat than BoS - though I'm definitely going to see that one too.
SYNOPSIS: The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria's (Academy Award winner Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen's Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity.
NOTE: If you're a fan of Eddie Izzard, as I most definitely am, you'll enjoy his outrageous (what else?) performance as Victoria's outraged son, "Bertie," who's champing at the bit to become king.
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2Ph_9bGPs
STORIES ABOUT THE TRUE-LIFE RELATIONSHIP PORTRAYED IN THE FILM:
http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Victoria-and-Abdul-Dench-looks-into-the-12230520.php
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8349760/The-lost-diary-of-Queen-Victorias-final-companion.html
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/09/queen-victoria-and-abdul-real-story
