A United Kingdom - directed by Amma Assante
I haven't seen director Amma Assante's "A Way of Life" or "Belle" but I am of course a pretty major Rosamund Pike fan so
there was at least one reason to want to see this film.
Being unfamiliar with the history of Botswana was another and as fascinating as this story is the real reason to see it turns out to be the stellar performance of David Oyelowo.
If you don't know the name you will probably recognise the face.
He appeared briefly in a key scene in Christopher Nolan's brilliant "Interstellar" and had roles in "Selma", "Jack Reacher", "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and "The Last King of Scotland".
He absolutely owns this terrific movie but he is by no means the only thing to recommend it.
This movie is based on the true story of the heir to the throne of the British protectorate of Bechuanaland.
Seretse Khama (Oyelowo) was raised by his Uncle and moved to London to study law in the late 1940's.
He met and courted English woman Ruth Williams (Pike) and together they moved to Bechuanaland to begin ruling the territory.
Not only did this interracial marriage cause concern from some in Britain but Kharma's own people and in particular his Uncle found it entirely unacceptable.
Mostly though it royally pissed off the government of South Africa who having just adopted a system of apartheid found it damned inconvenient to have a mixed race couple running a country right next door.
So while this movie appears to be a tale of racism and politics it is at its heart simply a tale of two people who just want to be together for the simplest and best reason in the world - they love each other.
Sounds easy but when people of all races don't like the pairing it's bad enough but when entire governments plot against you it is something else.
Obviously for a story such as this to work you need some serious chemistry in your lead actors and Oyelowo and Pike have it aplenty.
The relationship happens very quickly and although the pair courted for a year before getting married it feels more like a month on screen.
But it is still very believable.
As they arrive in Bechuanaland and the people of Khama's own country turn against Ruth and he himself Khama is forced to make might be a small decision for most of us but is in fact an internationally impactful one for the King of a country.
He must choose to give up on his marriage or give up the throne.
In fact he does neither and makes it clear in a wonderfully delivered speech that he loves his wife every bit as much as his country and he will give up neither.
Oyelowo has been great up until now but it is from this moment on where he really shines.
There is some emotive stuff here but none of it strikes a false note.
Director Assante provides a very steady hand and keeps everything nicely on course.
It's a moving story but never devolves into melodrama even when sickness, dramatic births and international political posturing come into play.
I am a little biased when it comes to Rosamund Pike but she is in top form here.
This should be further evidence after "Gone Girl" of the extent of her talent.
Like Oyelowo her performance is subtle but emotional without ever resorting to cheap monologues or overly dramatic set pieces.
There are moments where it is clear that she is growing on the people of her adopted country that after the earlier ones where they make it clear she is not welcome really work.
It is a touching and uplifting story and Assante deserves huge credit for her direction.
The only thing that lets the movie down a little is a close to cartoonish portrayal of Alistairs Canning the British Government representative by Jack Davenport.
Likewise an all but unrecognisable Tom Felton (Draco from Harry Potter) comes off as a caricature of a terribly British posh type.
I don't blame either actor as they are both very good but some of their dialogue and a lot of what they are asked to project is one dimensional.
Who knows - maybe this is exactly how they were but regardless it seems like the only bum note in a movie that scarcely puts a foot wrong.
Any minor quibbles aside this is a great story very well told.
It is hard to believe that a couple getting married could turn into an international incident but of course it did.
This part of history deserves to be done good service and Assante and her cast have certainly done that.
I was enthralled for the entirety of this film.
There should be a few nominations for this movie as we enter awards season.
For sure Oyelowo will get some love but if justice is served so will Pike and Assante.
Really great stuff.
RATING: 82 / 100
CONCLUSION: Fine work from all involved but specially Oyelowo, Pike and director Assante. Expect some attention from Oscar in a couple of months.
Starring: Rosamund Pike, David, Oyelowo, Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Laura Carmichael, Jessica Oyelowo, Terry Pheto, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Charlotte Hope, Vusi Kunene, Arnold Oceng, Theo Landey
Screenplay: Guy Hibbert
Music Score by: Patrick Doyle
Cinematography: Sam McCurdy
Cinematography: Sam McCurdy
Edited by: Jonathan Amos & Jon Gregory
Running Time: 111 minutes
Language: English
Rated: M - Mild Violence
Running Time: 111 minutes
Language: English
Rated: M - Mild Violence
there was at least one reason to want to see this film.
Being unfamiliar with the history of Botswana was another and as fascinating as this story is the real reason to see it turns out to be the stellar performance of David Oyelowo.
If you don't know the name you will probably recognise the face.
He appeared briefly in a key scene in Christopher Nolan's brilliant "Interstellar" and had roles in "Selma", "Jack Reacher", "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and "The Last King of Scotland".
He absolutely owns this terrific movie but he is by no means the only thing to recommend it.
This movie is based on the true story of the heir to the throne of the British protectorate of Bechuanaland.
Seretse Khama (Oyelowo) was raised by his Uncle and moved to London to study law in the late 1940's.
He met and courted English woman Ruth Williams (Pike) and together they moved to Bechuanaland to begin ruling the territory.
Not only did this interracial marriage cause concern from some in Britain but Kharma's own people and in particular his Uncle found it entirely unacceptable.
Mostly though it royally pissed off the government of South Africa who having just adopted a system of apartheid found it damned inconvenient to have a mixed race couple running a country right next door.
So while this movie appears to be a tale of racism and politics it is at its heart simply a tale of two people who just want to be together for the simplest and best reason in the world - they love each other.
Sounds easy but when people of all races don't like the pairing it's bad enough but when entire governments plot against you it is something else.
 |
| David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike - Oscar worthy |
The relationship happens very quickly and although the pair courted for a year before getting married it feels more like a month on screen.
But it is still very believable.
As they arrive in Bechuanaland and the people of Khama's own country turn against Ruth and he himself Khama is forced to make might be a small decision for most of us but is in fact an internationally impactful one for the King of a country.
He must choose to give up on his marriage or give up the throne.
In fact he does neither and makes it clear in a wonderfully delivered speech that he loves his wife every bit as much as his country and he will give up neither.
Oyelowo has been great up until now but it is from this moment on where he really shines.
There is some emotive stuff here but none of it strikes a false note.
Director Assante provides a very steady hand and keeps everything nicely on course.
It's a moving story but never devolves into melodrama even when sickness, dramatic births and international political posturing come into play.
I am a little biased when it comes to Rosamund Pike but she is in top form here.
This should be further evidence after "Gone Girl" of the extent of her talent.
Like Oyelowo her performance is subtle but emotional without ever resorting to cheap monologues or overly dramatic set pieces.
There are moments where it is clear that she is growing on the people of her adopted country that after the earlier ones where they make it clear she is not welcome really work.
It is a touching and uplifting story and Assante deserves huge credit for her direction.
The only thing that lets the movie down a little is a close to cartoonish portrayal of Alistairs Canning the British Government representative by Jack Davenport.
Likewise an all but unrecognisable Tom Felton (Draco from Harry Potter) comes off as a caricature of a terribly British posh type.
I don't blame either actor as they are both very good but some of their dialogue and a lot of what they are asked to project is one dimensional.
Who knows - maybe this is exactly how they were but regardless it seems like the only bum note in a movie that scarcely puts a foot wrong.
 |
| Pike and Oyelowo are supported by Jack Davenport and Tom Felton - in performance if not in character |
It is hard to believe that a couple getting married could turn into an international incident but of course it did.
This part of history deserves to be done good service and Assante and her cast have certainly done that.
I was enthralled for the entirety of this film.
There should be a few nominations for this movie as we enter awards season.
For sure Oyelowo will get some love but if justice is served so will Pike and Assante.
Really great stuff.
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