December 10, 2021
Random Acts… A plug for Heartmob and holiday movies
As a journalist, I rarely plug specific causes. Instead, I write stories and columns, in hopes of moving people’s hearts. But I’m going to make an exception today…
If you, or someone you know is being harassed online, sign up to stress-test the updated Heartmob, Hollabeck’s platform where those experiencing online abuse can share their stories and get help. This stress test is being held to tweak the platform before it officially re-launches, with design changes made possible by Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
Newmark, the founder and creator of Craigslist, says, “I’ve seen a lot of pointless online abuse, harassment, over the last 30 years, and it really pisses me off. I’ve been and am being targeted by professionals, and really wish Heartmob was around to minimize ongoing damage.”
In addition to the relaunch of Heartmob, the Coalition Against Online Violence’s Online Violence Response Hub was set up to support women and gender-expansive journalists who are especially targeted for their gender, and just for doing their jobs.
I hope you’ll support both efforts.
And last, but not least, here’s a plug for my new movie. Yes, in addition to my journalism work, I write movies.
Hope you’ll watch “Christmas Takes Flight,” which premieres on CBS on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific, and will be available on demand after that on Paramount+. “Christmas Takes Flight” is one of two new CBS holiday films, marking the network’s return to the genre for the first time in 10 years.
The other CBS holiday film, “A Christmas Proposal,” airs this Sunday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Pacific and stars an all-Latinx cast in a story that shares the joy of the season in a way that all families can relate to.
The stars and writers of both movies just participated in a Twitter Spaces conversation about holiday movies that you can listen to by clicking on the link below:
‘Tis The Season: A CBS Original Holiday Movie Conversation 🎄🍿 via Twitter Spaces
There will be silence at the beginning, but hang in there, and people will start talking after a couple of minutes. I had some technical difficulties with my microphone, and will chime in around the 20-minute mark.
You can also catch my holiday movie, “Christmas Inheritance,” on Netflix.
It was great fun writing these films. If you like heartwarming, positive rom-coms, these movies are totally worth watching, if I do say so myself.
Happy holidays!
August 31, 2021
Random Acts… If 9/11 brought us together, why not COVID?
Twenty years have passed since 9/11, yet in many ways, it feels like just yesterday.
I was in Washington, D.C. when the planes hit the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pa. Like many around the world, I watched the scenes unfold on television as the planes that al Qaeda terrorists had hijacked crashed, killing all on board and nearly 3,000 people on the ground.
In the days that followed, the shock of what had occurred could be seen on faces everywhere. Military tanks lined the streets of D.C., ready for ground attacks. When I was finally able to get on a plane back to Los Angeles, there was almost no one on the plane.
Before getting on the plane, an officer snapped off the tiny metal file on my nail clipper, removing what he thought could become a weapon. I ended up sitting next to a federal air marshal, who said we would never be the same again.
This week, National Geographic premieres “9/11: ONE DAY IN AMERICA,” an in-depth, emotional look at September 11, using archives and first-person interviews with survivors and first-responders. The six-part documentary series, done in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, honors those we lost, and the bravery of those who survived.
Watching the footage from 20 years ago is heart-wrenching. The fear felt that day is still palpable. Yet through it all, ordinary people rose to help others in need. Many sacrificed their lives to save strangers.
This week, the last American troops to leave Afghanistan leave behind an uncertain future for the Afghans who aided our military in the fight against Al Qaeda and terrorism. The Taliban, now in control there, seem intent on a never-ending war for the soul of their own country.
Here at home, fingers are pointing in every direction for who’s to blame for a chaotic exit and abrupt end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan.
Yet looking back at 9/11, all I can think about is… what happened to all the goodwill that emerged from that day? We pulled together as one country – indeed, as one world – to help the injured and mourn the dead.
Today, the enemy is COVID-19, and we are tearing this country apart with partisan rhetoric over wearing face masks and getting vaccinations that would save lives. Who benefits from that? Not the 631,440 people, and counting, who have died from COVID in the United States to date, according to the CDC.
Watch “9/11: ONE DAY IN AMERICA,” and maybe it will remind you of our vulnerability as human beings. Maybe it will awaken a sense of hope for the future. If we survived 9/11, maybe one day, we will see ourselves as one country again.
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“9/11: ONE DAY IN AMERICA can be seen on National Geographic and on HULU.
January 24, 2020
Random Acts… VOLTA features a mixed bag of tricks
LOS ANGELES – Cirque du Soleil shows are famous for their artistry, acrobatics and humor. Sadly, their latest offering – VOLTA – falls short of past productions.
According to a press release, VOLTA was inspired by the “adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports,” telling a story about being true to one’s self and recognizing your own power to fulfill your potential.
Sorry, but the disjointed scenes that make up the show, which plays under the Big Top at Dodger Stadium through March 8, seemed more like separate vignettes that had no coherent storyline.
The main character is a fellow named Waz with blue hair who seems embarrassed or ashamed of himself. We see video scenes of his childhood, but beyond that, I had no idea what his story was supposed to be.
Yes, there’s rope skipping, roller skating and a BMX finale that’s truly a vision of nonstop acrobatics on wheels. But it’s the human acrobatics of trampoline artists, gymnasts who jump through different shaped hoops, and Swiss ring-bungee jumpers who embody the spirit of human potential.
Shape Diving acrobats in VOLTA. Photo by Matt Beard. Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil.
In one act, a woman gracefully moves above the stage, making the audience gasp at her ability to spin like a top, suspended in the air by her HAIR. (Don’t ask how that mirage was created. You have to believe there’s some magic in this show.)
The clown who had two scenes was moderately amusing. One scene with washing machines was hilarious, but the other, set on a beach, was so abstract, I had no idea what was happening.
Sadly, this production is full of flaws. The music was lovely, but the sound system was so muddy, you couldn’t understand a word the singers sang. The light from revolving spotlights continually hits you in the face during the pre-show and at intermission, which was extremely irritating.
Being able to fly without a net is an amazing feat in every Cirque show. At any given time, there are usually 19 different shows around the world, ranging from touring shows under the Big Top, like VOLTA, to resident shows in Las Vegas like LOVE and Mystere (my favorite).
The performers include 1,400 artists from more than 50 countries, so each show has a touch of international flavor.
For acrobatic thrills, VOLTA hits the spot. For anything more, this is a show that misses the mark.
Tickets, starting at $49, are available for purchase by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/volta or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).
November 11, 2019
Random Acts… ‘The Great Leap’ we all must face
A play about basketball that reflects the fraught political relationship between China and the United States, and a universal yearning for family might sound like an odd combination for a play’s premise, but playwright Lauren Yee has masterfully woven together all three elements to create “The Great Leap.”
The Los Angeles premiere of the show, now playing through December 1 at the Pasadena Playhouse, is being staged in association with East West Players under the direction of Tony Award winner BD Wong.
The story toggles between events in 1971, when Saul Slezak, an American basketball coach, befriends Wen Chang, his Chinese interpreter in China, and 1989, when Saul returns to China for a game against the basketball team Wen Chang now coaches, just as the tanks start rolling into Tiananmen Square.
When Manford, a relentless and hilarious 17-year-old basketball player (whose older cousin Connie isn’t really a blood relative), convinces Saul to let him play with the U.S. collegiate team in Beijing, the stage is set for a feisty, funny and moving tale of two countries and families the world over.
Stellar performances by Grant Chang (Wen Chang), James Eckhouse (Saul Slezak), Justin Chien (Manford), and Christine Lin (Connie) make the fast-paced play a thought-provoking blend of real history and fictional characters.
In 1971, when Saul encourages the Chinese basketball players to shoot the ball and “take a shot,” Wen Chang explains that most Chinese players would rather pass the ball than shoot because “they don’t want to miss.” But as Saul notes, “Sooner or later, we all miss.”
James Eckhouse and Grant Chang in Pasadena Playhouse & East West Players’ production of The Great Leap. Photo by Jenny Graham
When it comes to a difference in cultural norms, the Chinese interpreter explains that in his country, people are taught to wait their turn, even if their turn never comes. He says growing up during Mao’s Cultural Revolution, nobody wanted “to be someone.” Instead, “you wanted to be the person three people behind someone, because being someone could get you killed.”
The Cultural Revolution ended in 1976, but the gradual opening of China to economic reforms led to unrest and the massacre in Tiananmen Square, where government troops fired at demonstrators, killing an estimated number that varied from several hundred to several thousand.
Watching the play, you can’t help but think of today’s student protesters in Hong Kong, whose five-month movement against Beijing’s control over the Hong Kong government has become increasingly widespread and violent. Will the demands for accountability for police brutality and democratic reforms move the needle toward true freedom, or result in another massacre of the young?
In “The Great Leap,” Saul encourages Wen Chang to get into the game of life because “it’s always your turn”… a reminder of an opportunity that comes to everyone every day.
September 26, 2019
Random Acts… A musical trip down memory lane
LAS VEGAS – I never thought Las Vegas would end up becoming a vacation spot of choice for my sisters and me, but when it comes to a place where entertainment old and new can be enjoyed side-by-side, it’s Sin City.
Two of my sisters and I recently decided to take a long weekend in Vegas: the impetus being the end of the long-running Donny & Marie Show at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, featuring ‘70s and ‘80s icons Donny Osmond and his sister Marie Osmond.
The show, which has been a popular Vegas attraction for the last 11 years, comes to an end in November as the siblings move on to other ventures. Marie will be joining “The Talk” on CBS, and Donny is releasing his 62nd studio album.
There’s something special about seeing singers you idolized as a youngster when they’ve grown older, and you’re all grown up. The songs they sang that marked a tender moment in time remind you of what it was like to be young and innocent again.
The Vegas show was a walk down memory lane as the brother-sister duo sang some of the songs that made them famous: “Puppy Love,” “Paper Roses,” “Soldier of Love” and more. Snapshots and videos of the two made over the years with their siblings, the Osmond Brothers, and with various Hollywood celebrities, like TV show host Andy Williams, made the night of nostalgia feel like a shared family album.
Yes, the ‘70s were a time when civil rights, Vietnam, women’s liberation and Watergate led the headlines of the day. Today, the topics are just as contentious, making the simple joy of listening to music you loved as a kid even more important.
The comedy and repartee between Donny and Marie clearly were said at every show, but came so naturally, no one could doubt the two were loving siblings. Remembering that love is what really matters is at the heart of their show.
Yes, when energetic dance routines brought copious sweat to Donny’s brow, he joked about being… ahem, a middle-aged star who still had it. In the 2009 “Dancing With the Stars” season finale, Donny was crowned the winner, and happily, he’s still got those moves today.
People in the audience (i.e., the women) whipped out their phones when Donny offered to give away his latest CD and autograph it for a winner who posted why she wanted the CD online that evening. No doubt the lucky winner is still swooning.
The breadth of Marie’s vocal ability was clearly on display as she belted out country tunes, Broadway musical standards, and even the tender aria “Nessun Dorma,” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Tourandot.”
Perhaps the happiest story she shared was remarrying her first husband, former pro basketball player Steve Craig. After two divorces, depression and the loss of a child, it was good to see that life brings blessings when you least expect them.
The Donny & Marie Show may end in November, but Vegas is famous for luring entertainers back into the spotlight. No doubt this won’t be the last time the duo takes to the stage.
After all, as long as they have fans, the show must go on… somewhere.
August 1, 2019
Random Acts… Power and responsibility don’t always go hand in hand
For a couple of weeks every summer, the nation’s television critics gather in Los Angeles to hear presentations from network, cable and streaming companies on upcoming offerings.
As I drove into the Beverly Hilton one day, where this year’s Television Critics Association (TCA) Summer Tour was held, the garage looked like it was full, with cars parked in every spot and in the fire lanes. But when I got to the roof, there were tons of parking spaces available.
Clearly, people didn’t want to bother driving up to the roof, and chose to just make a parking space for themselves in the fire lanes, even though signs warned that they would be towed.
I went to the front desk manager to complain, and she immediately said, “We don’t want cars parked in the fire lanes. I’ll go talk to the garage manager.”
Inside the ballroom where the TCA sessions were held, one of the presentations put on by Starz was about the sixth and final season of its series “Power,” a show that’s steeped in hip hop culture and tells the story of James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), a successful night club owner who also runs a drug empire that serves only the rich and influential.
The producers of “Power,” Courtney Kemp and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, noted that while the series, with a largely African American cast, is hugely popular with Starz audiences, it has not received mainstream award recognition.
Then again, as Jackson, a successful rapper, songwriter and actor, noted, “There’s a place for bad music, and it’s television.”
Jackson, who sold drugs at a young age during the 1980s crack epidemic, later began pursuing a music career that made him one of the world’s best-selling rappers.
Asked whether he has learned the most from success or failure, Jackson responded, “A little bit of both. Because when you have success, success is the biggest lesson. You can’t have success without jealousy, without envy or without entitlement. And those that change – the people around you — will change you regardless.
“If a person says that they haven’t changed, they just didn’t make enough money. Because it comes with it. Like, you see the response from other people and you could buy them a car. And they say, ‘But you could have bought me a house, man. Look at how much money you make.’ And I go, ‘Well, when was I responsible for your entire life? I never was notified that.’ “
Success and failure can go hand-in-hand with differing expectations.
The racial/economic divide in our nation is at the heart of why shows like “Power” appeal to some and not to others. The success of “Power,” however, has led to the announcement of a prequel series titled “Power Book 2: Ghost,” featuring Mary J. Blige.
As for the parking situation at the Beverly Hilton? The next day, I returned to find the same situation – cars were parked in every fire lane on every floor. When I went back to the front desk manager to report it, she said, “We can put towing notices on the cars, and hope that guests will move them. But we can’t just tow the cars away.”
And why is that? “Well,” she said, “if the L.A. Fire Department comes, they can have the cars towed.”
Talk about passing the buck when you’re afraid that the privileged who park in fire lanes will get mad at you.
May 30, 2018
Random Acts… Kudos for doing the right thing
So I heard this joke recently…
When Mark and Isabelle got to a certain age, they decided they would write everything down that was important, so that they would remember it. One day, Mark wanted some ice cream, but when he looked in the freezer, there was none. So he told Isabelle he was going to the store to buy some.
She reminded him to write it down, and he disagreed, saying, “Don’t be silly. It’s one thing. I can remember ice cream.” When he returned, he put his sack of groceries on the table. Isabelle looked inside and saw… two cans of chicken soup.
Irritated, she looked at Mark, and said, “I told you to write it down! Now look at this… you forgot the crackers!”
Forgetting what is important happens to all of us, every day. We often forget to say please, thank you, I love you, to the people who matter most to us. In our haste to tell people what we think, we forget about the impact our words may have on those who don’t think the way we do. There’s a lot of unintentional hurt in the world.
Roseanne Barr probably had no idea that her tweet referring to former President Obama aide Valerie Jarrett as the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and the “Planet of the Apes” film franchise would get her fired. She forgot that words have power, and power comes with responsibility.
The comedienne whose controversial views were the object of both adoration and disdain forgot that tweets may be heard around the world, but life always moves toward balance. Attack someone unfairly, and you will be attacked in return.
That doesn’t mean we should all shut up and keep our opinions to ourselves. It means if we speak, we should also listen.
Executives at ABC listened to Barr’s words, and immediately fired her, a decision that cost the network a lot of money. Just two weeks earlier, ABC had been touting “Roseanne” as the season’s No. 1 hit, appealing to an average of 17.9 million viewers who watched a family grapple with partisan political views.
ABC’s decision to stand up and say racism is not acceptable — by sacrificing profit in favor of promoting human decency — deserves loud kudos. It sets a moral compass that we all can follow because jokes that promote stereotypes and create hurtful divisions between people are not funny.
If we could manage to remember that one thing, we’d really bring home the ice cream.
April 25, 2018
Random Acts… Journey of love shared in “The Beach House”
If tears and smiles are what you look for in a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, “The Beach House” is sure to please.
Based on the novel of the same name by Mary Alice Monroe, the film tells the story of a mother-daughter relationship against the backdrop of one of Mother Nature’s most fascinating and endearing events – the migration of sea turtles to the South Carolina coast.
The film, which premieres Saturday, April 28 at 9 p.m. Eastern on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, stars Minka Kelly as Caretta Rudland, an ambitious advertising executive who’s lost her job in Chicago and decides to visit the mother she’s been estranged from in the Lowcountry of her childhood summers.
Caretta’s mother Lovie, played by Andie MacDowell, has been caring for a young, pregnant friend Toy (Makenzie Vega), as well as protecting the annual loggerhead turtle spawn/birth cycle on the beach nearby. There is also, of course, the rekindling of a love affair for Caretta with local fisherman and all-around Southern gentleman Brett Beauchamps (Chad Michael Murray).
The cycle of life plays out in the mother-daughter relationship as time becomes more precious with each passing day. Secrets are revealed, family issues are confronted, and relationships are healed.
Through it all, we learn about the amazing journey that sea turtles make from the ocean to the sandy beaches where they lay eggs that will hatch into the next generation of slow moving marine reptiles with shells on their backs.
No one knows exactly how long sea turtles live, but scientists believe that at approximately age 30, they start laying eggs every few years, and can live to be about 80 years old. All species of sea turtles, with the exception of the flatback sea turtle in Australia, are considered endangered.
According to the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project, six species of sea turtles migrate annually to the South Carolina coast, with loggerhead turtles preferring Hilton Head.
Andie MacDowell and Minka Kelly in “The Beach House” Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David M. Russell
In “The Beach House,” Lovie is a “turtle lady” who keeps an eye out for new nests on the beach, moving any that are in danger to higher ground. In one poignant scene, Lovie and Caretta watch as a sea turtle lays her eggs.
“Is she crying?” Caretta asks, with surprise.
Lovie says the mama turtle lays her eggs, then leaves them to return to the ocean, not knowing what will happen to her babies.
Scientists say the turtle tears are part of a process of getting rid of an excess of sea salt, but giving human characteristics to animals, in this case, creates a moving metaphor for parenthood.
We give birth to (or adopt) children, and at some point, must let them move forward with their own lives, not knowing what will happen to them. Conversely, as children, we think our parents will be with us forever, never really knowing what life will be like when they are gone.
If we’re lucky, we will value every moment together – no matter how happy, sad, proud, or shameful that moment is. For one day, those moments will end.
“The Beach House” is a loving reminder that time is shorter than we think, but love ensures that the moments that matter never really end.
December 6, 2017
Random Acts… Holiday spirit abounds at Moody Gardens
Galveston, Texas — When it comes to holiday cheer, Galveston’s Moody Gardens offers a diverse slate of attractions bound to please the young and young-at-heart.
This year, the 16th annual Festival of Lights features a one-mile trail of more than 100 lighting displays, including a jolly Santa, various animals, and a nativity scene. Visitors can enjoy the area’s only outdoor skating rink, or watch “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D” in a movie theater where special effects – like snow falling into your lap — will pull you into the traditional story.
One of the most popular attractions is ICE LAND, a fairyland wonder of ice sculptures carved by master artists from Harbin, China.
“This year, we have a Rainforest Holiday theme,” says Jerri Hamachek, marketing and public relations manager for Moody Gardens, a non-profit promoting education and conservation that has become a tourist destination and community focus for local Galveston residents.
“Twenty-five Chinese carvers arrived in September to work on blocks of ice that are frozen in College Station, three hours away, and trucked here. The sculptures are maintained at a temperature of nine degrees, and we provide heavy parkas for visitors to wear in the exhibit.”
Guest zips down the ice slide in ICE LAND. Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens.
Visitors will walk through a wonderland of monkeys, beautiful birds, jungle orchids and more in this frozen representation of the Rainforest, decorated with festive Christmas lights.
A 38-foot tall ice slide with three lanes will tempt the kids (and some brave adults) for some winter fun, though some adults may be more attracted to Shivers Ice Bar, where alcoholic beverages can be purchased in the below freezing temperature.
“The work and effort that goes into ICE LAND impresses people because we rarely see snow or ice in Texas,” Hamachek says.
Back by popular demand is the Lone Star Circus “Cirque Joyeux Noel Dinner and Show,” which features a buffet dinner and performers from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and Cirque du Soleil.
“This year, the show is very warm and flamboyant,” says Fanny Kerwich, founder and creative director of Lone Star Circus, based in Dallas. “With all the damage from the hurricane in the Houston area, I wanted to have strong, powerful performers to deliver the message that Texas is a big, strong state. We want to bring happiness and a sense of joy to the audience this holiday season.”
Kerwich, who began performing in circus acts at the age of six, is an eighth generation circus performer who has traveled the world. She is an accomplished acrobat, aerialist, contortionist, and clown, who has performed throughout North America, Russia, South America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
“Being around the sound of performers, music and the show, is in my blood,” Kerwich says. “My brother was born in Paris, my sister in southern France, and I was born in Montreal, Canada. We had a family circus in Canada and toured before Cirque du Soleil even existed.”
She explains that circus acts in Europe originated with one-ring shows that would allow a horse to perform. When the circus migrated to America, P.T. Barnum needed more space for his spectacular shows, so created the three-ring circus for his animals and clowns.
The Pompeyo Family & Their Amazing Rescue Dogs perform in Cirque Joyeux Noel. Photo by Zan Keith Photography.
“For Americans, the circus vibe is popcorn and big arenas, but in other parts of the world, circus shows are more intimate,” Kerwich notes. “The acts are very glamorous and sophisticated in Russia and throughout Europe. They are performed in small theaters or tents. You expect to see excellence and artistry.”
While the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed this year, ending a 146-year run, its first African American ringmaster, Johnathan Lee Iverson, will be hosting “Cirque Joyeux Noel Dinner & Show.”
“Circus is still alive,” Kerwich says. “While Ringling closed, it could still re-open. When a show closes, it creates a good chance to reinvent yourself and connect with the audience in new ways.”
Kerwich was touring in a circus in the United States when she met her husband in Dallas. After two years of a long distance romance, she agreed to marry and settle down in Texas. In 2006, she launched the Lone Star Circus.
“I’m proud of the power of circus, and what it can bring to the heart of the audience,” Kerwich says. “Circus is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and is a reminder of the beauty of humanity.”
“Cirque Joyeux Noel Dinner & Show” runs December 15-25 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. For more information, see http://moodychristmasshow.com/.
The Festival of Lights and ICE LAND runs through Jan. 7, 2018. For more information, see https://www.moodygardens.com/holiday_season/.
September 19, 2017
Random Acts… ‘Victoria & Abdul’ shares the treasure of friendship
Improbable friendships are what change the world.
In the new film “Victoria & Abdul,” due out in theaters September 22, England’s Queen Victoria (played by Judi Dench) is in her 70s when Abdul Karim, a young Muslim servant, arrives from India to be part of the Queen’s golden jubilee.
When the curious and outgoing 24-year-old man captures Victoria’s attention, the two form an unlikely friendship that threatens the Queen’s household and inner circle. For the more Victoria learns about India – a part of her empire that she will never visit because of security concerns – the more she casts aside rigid traditions that have long governed the monarchy.
Victoria insists that Abdul become her Munshi (teacher) on all things Indian and Muslim, so he teaches her how to write Urdu, an Indic language written in an Arabic alphabet. More than a teacher, he becomes her spiritual advisor and devoted friend.
He introduces her to the work of Rumi, a Persian poet and Sufi master, who wrote, “Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces.”
That, of course, is what every true friendship teaches. In sharing our hearts with another, we learn that commonalities outweigh differences. We learn that being different is something to celebrate, not to fear. And we learn that we are never truly alone.
The story of their friendship was nearly erased from memory by the Queen’s son (later King Edward VII) and others in the court, who were jealous of the outsider’s influence on the monarch. The pride and prejudice that surrounded their relationship was unearthed by author Shrabani Basu, who stumbled upon the tale while researching a book on the history of curry.
Learning that Queen Victoria enjoyed eating curries, Basu toured Osborne House, the Queen’s Isle of Wight home, and noticed two portraits and a bronze bust of an Indian man. Tracing Victoria’s interest in India, Basu journeyed to Pakistan, where she discovered Abdul’s journal, which confirmed the stories in the Queen’s Hindustani journals, hidden away in the Royal Archive.
The movie is based on Basu’s book, “Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant,” and while some historical events are dramatized, the film remains a witty and touching tale of two unlikely friends.
The conflict of class and culture that occurred in 1887 is still very much with us today. We live in a world where leaders are still out of touch with the people they govern. Class differences and cultural misunderstandings still occur in every society.
It’s unlikely that “Victoria & Abdul” will draw big box office numbers because sweet films like this rarely make waves. That’s a shame because prejudice is only erased one heart at a time, and movies that show improbable friendships are needed now, more than ever.
Dinah Eng 