The independence along with the partition of India, a subject I only knew the basics about, is a fascinating piece of history. One of the people who became a refugee during that period was Gurinder Chadha’s grandmother, and now Chadha has directed a film depicting the events of 1947.
The political wheeler dealings are portrayed skilfully, showing how a united independent India became impossible because of the religious divide and the duplicity of the previous British government, specifically Winston Churchill, who hasn’t had the best of months cinematically!
The performers are all on good form. Hugh Bonneville is a convincingly charming Mountbatten and Gillian Anderson is perfect as his formidable wife. I also enjoyed Michael Gambon as cunning political animal, General Ismay. Chadha also does a fine job presenting the utter chaos that followed the partition and how friendships were destroyed by it, whilst avoiding slipping into Downtown Abbey territory despite the presence of Bonneville.
What works less well is a love story involving a Hindu man and Muslim woman working as part of Mountbatten’s staff. Both Manish Dayal and Huma Qureshi are fine in the roles and I have no particular problem with their characters but it feels too contrived and too obvious a plot device. The final scene is as emotionally manipulative as any in Lion. It is a shame that the political machinations are sidelined for too long by their plot-line, but there is much to enjoy, nevertheless.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10