Victoria & Abdul

Victoria & Abdul may capture the ugly side of Britain's colonial past, but its demeaning portrait of Abdul reinforces the Orientalism it purports to lampoon.

For the most part Victoria and Abdul is an Anglophile's delight.

The film's attempt to portray the Queen as more politically enlightened than her courtiers is kindly but unconvincing, and many of the actors bark and behave as if participating in a spoof.

Victoria & Abdul is worth seeing for Dench's magisterial performance and for Frears's light but sure directorial touch. Just don't mistake it for actual history.

This film - which is, we're told, "based on real events - mostly" - tells of how the elderly queen got her groove back, so to speak.

It's a neatly executed lark but one that eventually becomes ensnared in the colonialism it seeks to expose.

Judi Dench is fabulous as Queen Victoria. She's the reason to see this film.

Judi Dench is a force like no other on the big screen.

Oversimplification of geopolitical issues aside, Victoria & Abdul is a light, charming entertainment that features yet another stunning performance by Dench.

As gorgeous as the film is, it is still Dench's performance that really rivets.