Disney Phiona Mutesi’s story is perfect for a movie. Instead of succumbing to the tempting but troubling "white savior" narrative that often pops up in movies of its sort, it sticks to its roots and tells a better story. It sidesteps a few of the laziest pitfalls into which movies of this sort often dive, and undermines the tropes of its genre with cheer and panache.
QUEEN OF KATWE MOVIE REVIEW FULL
It’s a crowd pleaser with a lot of potential: It’s shot in English, is full of music and Ugandan culture, boasts two big Hollywood stars ( 12 Years a Slave’s Lupita Nyong’o and Selma’s David Oyelowo), and has a major studio behind it (Disney).
QUEEN OF KATWE MOVIE REVIEW MOVIE
Music swells, credits roll, we all go home smiling.īut Queen of Katwe is also the best new movie this weekend. On the path toward a breakthrough, she has to overcome all sorts of difficulties. You’ve seen this story before, right? A poor black teenager with few opportunities meets a teacher who helps her see a life beyond her provincial world. Things like the death of a sibling or the basic acknowledgment that their father died of AIDS would have greatly helped to even out this film while also giving light to a major problem in Africa.On first blush, Queen of Katwe seems pretty conventional. By glossing over some of the true darker moments in the history of the characters, the film has an oversweetness that borders on sugarcoating. The darkest moments in films like these also let them shine the brightest after they’ve overcome adversity. The level of meliorism in Queen of Katwe is part of its greatest strength, but not without consequences. This attention to detail gives the film an engrossing genuineness that is impossible to ignore, and why would you even want to?
We are shown everything as it truly is, from the crumbling slums to the vibrantly colored clothing. There isn’t a single part of this film that feels exaggerated or fake.
Sometimes, it does feel like we’re overstaying our welcome as the pace becomes inconsistently slow, but overall it is an effective technique. She forces us to become familiar with the landscape so that we can better relate to the film. Nair takes us through a tour of Uganda with her camerawork, lingering on shots of nature and the environment. Her charm and poignancy radiate through her character and enchant us from beginning to end.Īcclaimed Indian director Mira Nair takes this fairly standard underdog tale and turns it into a feat of gorgeous filmmaking. This gives Nalwanga a chance to shine in the film, showing her impressive acting range as her character comes of age through the story’s narrative. Phiona’s personal journey is the focus of the film, which takes place over the span of several years. In concert with the rest of the cast, debuting actress Madina Nalwanga leads the story by epitomizing the unbreakable sense of hopefulness that threatens to intoxicate the film. Queen of Katwe is brimming with optimism, even at its lowest points. It also preaches the idea that it takes a keen mind to find your way out of seemingly hopeless situations. Sometimes it takes a great deal of hard work and sacrifice to win the game. Chess is more than a game because it serves a more powerful position as a metaphor for life.
Screenplay writer William Wheeler successfully adapts Tim Crothers’ novel and makes sure the central idea shines. Through him, we learn to appreciate the game of chess past the surface level excitement of the game. David Oyelowo performs outstandingly as a good samaritan who dedicates his life to helping those less fortunate. Lupita is far from the only notable performance in this completely character-driven film. Yes, I am speaking from experience, but her portrayal transcends our personal experiences and turns into a universal understanding. As a single mother, she embodies the love, determination and especially the sternness that comes from a single parent home. In the film, Nyong’o personified not just the spirit of womanhood, but also the indomitable strength of motherhood. Her portrayal of Nakku Harriet goes beyond just great acting. For most of her scenes, all it takes is a single expression and an emotive grunt to understand what Nyong’o’s character is feeling. Lupita Nyong’o delivers an unforgettable performance full of pain and power.
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