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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2017 7:22:15 GMT
We had a thread on Victoria last year for those of us who like our Sunday evening Strictly results to be followed up nicely with a few more ladies in sparkly dresses, men in tight trousers and big palaces. Has everyone switched off the second series...? (Where's Trekkie Monster?) The scenes are shorter than ever this year, I think, but I'm enjoying Diana Rigg who plays Maggie Smith in it. In the wake of this I went to see Victoria and Abdul at the cinema last night, having seen a nice looking trailer for it, and having enjoyed Stephen Frears' films in the past. Has anyone else seen this? I'd love to hear some other views... I'm really not sure what to think about it. Looks sumptuous, the two leads are wonderful, the story has great potential but... it's all played ridiculously for laughs (think It Ain't Half Hot, Mum, Benny Hill, Carry On) apart from the rather moving scene at the end which doesn't work at all, given how the rest of it is presented. And I couldn't work out how they've got a way with some of it, if you get my meaning (  ) Can say more if some other comments are thrown in. Anyone? |
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Post by alece10 on Sept 20, 2017 9:43:40 GMT
Not seen it yet but will do soon. But then I'd go to see Dame Judi read the telephone directory to be honest.
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Post by d'James on Sept 20, 2017 9:54:34 GMT
It's definitely not for me but the reviews I've read have been decidedly mixed.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 20, 2017 13:55:18 GMT
People in other countries would be forgiven for thinking there are only about 5 actors in the UK - Dench, Smith, Nighy, Mirren and That Other One. Few things dampen my filmgoing interest more than another film with any of them in, or about some royal or other, or a combination of those things.
So - ahem - no, I haven't seen it, nor will I.
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 20, 2017 21:21:43 GMT
I visited Osbourne House 10 days ago & some of the costumes from the film are currently on display there. Apparently a large part of the film was shot there & they're really pushing the link so must be hoping for a tourism upsurge. (My visit was nothing to do with seeing the film, as I haven't & won't be.)
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Post by showgirl on Sept 20, 2017 21:45:44 GMT
I know the reviews haven't been great but this looks like the type of film I enjoy and I've been keen to see it; just haven't managed to fit it in yet because cinemas disobligingly fail to programme performance times early enough to accommodate theatre matinees. Some cinemas are really going over the top with it: not only does my local (but unaffordable) Everyman have it in both screens on some days but unusually, my local council-run venue booked it for the opening week and has programmed it for the huge theatre rather than the actual cinema. I hope their faith is justified in terms of attendances.
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Post by peelee on Sept 20, 2017 21:50:52 GMT
I saw Victoria and Abdul today and thought it was pretty good. It was presented as a straight, serious story, one I'd never heard of, but then its being erased from the historical record mainly explains that ignorance on my part. Judi Dench is excellent in this film and her characterisation covers a range of moods and emotions, such that I was never bored by her. She's played Victoria before but this is no telephoned-in performance; this Victoria has more substance and more to do in this film. And the Abdul of the title, played by Ali Fazel, acts well too. Here and there are situations or comments so ridiculous, a chuckle is difficult to suppress, but this is no comedy. A non-irritating Eddie Izzard plays what in real life must have been the irritating Bertie, Prince of Wales, and he does a fine job of that.
It is directed by Stephen Frears. The screenplay is by Lee Hall. The music is by Thomas Newman. It has a fine cast, some big names playing quietly and subtly rather than hog the scene. I believe this was Tim Piggot-Smith's last film. There are all sorts of reasons to go and see it on a cinema screen, though being a BBC Film it'll appear on TV screens.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 11:30:42 GMT
I think every drama or film about Queen Victoria should feature Tom Hughes as Prince Albert as law. If he's not in it, it shouldn't be released. I'll just leave this one here for you all just to remind you. You're welcome.  |
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Post by d'James on Sept 21, 2017 11:54:16 GMT
He looks like a CBBC presenter.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 21, 2017 12:03:22 GMT
He looks like a CBBC presenter. You think? They generally look like smiley-faced cartoons, don't they? |
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Post by d'James on Sept 21, 2017 12:05:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 12:22:07 GMT
He looks like a CBBC presenter. I thought all CBBC presenters were puppets nowadays. Mind you, I wouldn't mind sticking my hand . . . |
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Post by showgirl on Sept 21, 2017 13:24:20 GMT
Going to see it free this afternoon, as although I could do so via my Curzon membership, there hasn't been an opportunity yet, but I've now qualified for my "See 9 films, 10th one free" benefit at my local civic centre. It has only taken me about 5 years because they usually show only nearly-new films, so I've already seen most of what they programme by the time it comes round. (I did qualify for free popcorn after the 5th film but as I said to the staff at the time, that's not likely to appeal to many seniors.)
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 21, 2017 16:29:11 GMT
He looks like a CBBC presenter. Wash your mouth out with soap and water!😖 I'm finding the script a bit meh. (But I'll put up with anything for Rufus Sewell, Tom Hughes and David Oakes!) |
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Post by showgirl on Sept 21, 2017 17:41:15 GMT
Shame in a way that Thursday is one of my regular theatre days as at the seniors' cinema screening of the film this afternoon, I discovered that patrons don't get just free tea or coffee and biscuits as at Odeons and Picturehouses, but FREE CAKE! (And even a choice.) I'm sure the screening would have been very popular anyway but it was nearly sold out, which was quite a novelty for me, given that I'm often the only one, or one of a handful, in the cinemas I normally visit. Quite a nice atmosphere though obviously a VERY slow process when it came to entering or leaving the auditorium, what with the walking sticks/frames, assistance dogs, etc. All dogs and humans however behaved very well throughout.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 19:08:15 GMT
I promised to take Mama Garside to the cinema this weekend because The Overtones cancelled their concert. The good daughter-ly thing would be to take her to this and not force her to watch Kingsmen wouldn't it?
Though she did declare "Victoria" the tv show "Worse than I remembered" so perhaps she's not a fan of old Vic anyway?
Anyway I do love a bit of Queen Judy.
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Post by Jan on Sept 21, 2017 19:49:57 GMT
She is OK as queens, albeit with a standard performance -I last saw her playing Elizabeth I in the Peter Hall "Midsummer Nights Dream" at Kingston, but like Simon Russell-Beale her reputation has led to her being quite ridiculously miscast in several plays.
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Post by Jon on Sept 21, 2017 20:45:37 GMT
The film is decent, it’s not the best film about Queen Victoria but it’s passes the time
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Post by showgirl on Sept 22, 2017 4:09:00 GMT
It's good, solid, standard Britflick fare but the relatives and household staff were for me the most interesting and entertaining, especially those played by Eddie Izard, Olivia Williams, Fenella Woolgar and Tim Piggot-Smith. Would have preferred more of them and less of Victoria and Abdul but then there'd have been neither plot nor funds to film it.
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 24, 2017 21:17:42 GMT
Tom Hughes has just sulked for an entire hour like no one else on earth can.😞😉
Skinny dipping? In France? Brrrrr! I'm not surprised David Oakes wimped out and kept his clothes on...(though somewhat disappointed!...... Qué? Shallow? Moi? Mais oui!)
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Post by showgirl on Sept 25, 2017 4:51:46 GMT
Who is Tom Hughes? Was he in the film? If so, which character did he play, please? And I don't recall any skinny-dipping, yet am sure I did not nod off!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 6:27:54 GMT
We've two conversations going on here... my fault as I talked TV's Victoria AND the film Victoria and Abdul in my initial post.
There was no skinny dipping in the film, and no Tom Hughes, who is sulking his way through the role of Albert on ITV.
The TV show certainly needs an injection of something to lift it, and as I commented to Annas last night as we sat on the sofa, "This is what we've needed a lot more of in this series!" I don't mind being shallow. (I actually preferred the sight of David Oakes' bare chest and water-soaked trousers! Reminded me of a 'film' I saw once... a long time ago... just bits of it actually...)
And did the French chateau change shape and design completely from the first viewing from the front to the later shots at the back?
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Post by rockinrobin on Sept 25, 2017 8:15:01 GMT
(I actually preferred the sight of David Oakes' bare chest and water-soaked trousers! Oooh?... I haven't seen yesterday's episode yet. I think I'll call in sick and spend entire day watching certain scenes on repeat... |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 25, 2017 10:33:47 GMT
Judi playing Judi again, this time in a black frock?
No ta.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 10:37:55 GMT
(I actually preferred the sight of David Oakes' bare chest and water-soaked trousers! Oooh?... I haven't seen yesterday's episode yet. I think I'll call in sick and spend entire day watching certains scenes on repeat... Oh it's fab. Tom even does a bit of single tear acting which is lovely. And his hair looks particularly floppy in this episode which is delightful. You don't really see much but Tom, David Oakes and the lovely two gayers all take a dip. Paget and Drummond in particular having a smashing time splashing each other all over the place. |
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) Can say more if some other comments are thrown in.
