A United Kingdom

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source: A United Kingdom

"No man is free who is not master of himself." Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) Freedom is what A United Kingdom is about: Freedom for Prince Khama to choose a white British wife in Botswana 1940's and freedom for the natives from British imperial rule. Both themes are fully disclosed with an eye to history that seems accurate and not overly detailed. Where the details of the struggle to bring back the prince to rule as king, a move opposed by the British and its Winston Churchill, get unhistorical is in the slow pace of the plot and the sentimental scenes and music behind the prince's marriage to Ruth Williams (Rosemund Pike), a novice at romance and political intrigue. The plot thread about their romance ("Did I tell you I didn't just marry you for your looks?"Seretse) is long and slow (The first part of the film is all about the wooing), and the challenge to his claim to the throne is repetitious bordering on boredom. Her emergence as the queen is threadbare with plot clichés, even as the story is "inspired by true events." Oyelowo and Pike are nearly perfect as the man who would be king and the lady in waiting. His turn last year in Selma as MLK was Oscar worthy, and her loving hesitancy works well set against the malign forces determined to separate the husband and wife. The forces of inequality are strong as they wrap themselves in rhetoric about the safety of the country's traditions and their need for British rule to survive. On the Brit part, the lust for riches from the country's abundant mineral resources colors decisions about freedom that should in any other democratic society be self evident. Besides the obviously hackneyed history of suppression and rebellion, the film slows its pace to allow speeches that could be slipped in as well in other films about Africa. Yet, this similarity in rhetoric may just help rank good biopics like this as accurate depictions of history and the human condition.

20 March 2017: I Love and support ALL Interracial Love, marriages, and movies or television shows with men and women in love and Biracial people. But not just mix races of Blacks & Whites, but any man and woman of two different racial backgrounds. So I had to see and support this film, the same as I have with All Interracial movies such as the recent; "Lovings" with actress Ruth Negga. My all time favorite is "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" with Sidney Poitier and Kate Hepburn. One of the things I liked in the beginning of this film is that we see them meet, have a nice time and go dancing and the White people dancing in the background are Not staring at them nor giving them a hard time. I wish all the world would be like that when a man and woman of different races and skin tone meet, date and fall in love. God and Jesus Christ/ Yeshua do NOT see skin color, God only sees the heart and mind. This role hit home for David since his real life wife is also a Caucasian woman and they are truly in love with four kids, just the same as actor Nate Parker and his wife. Anyhoo, racism soon shows it's ugly head starting when David and Rosamund are walking at night and three White racist bigots and one yell the word "coon". Later we see Ruth standing up to her own father for the man she loves and later when Khama stands up to his racist uncle for his love of a White woman. Although, I understand the point that in his African country, where the tradition has always been all Africans living, loving and marrying and that is to be expected of a future king. So the racism is not quite the same as blatant hate due to skin color, but hate is still hate in all forms and love is love in all forms. My wonderful Latina daughter-in-law once told me that "love is love and it is beautiful with all men and women." However, I said that love between two people of the same race, skin color, and nationality is easy, but it takes an extra special love and strength to love a person of another race and skin color to stand together in love against hatred in all forms. For those who know, this is what great martial artist actor, Bruce Lee's wife, Linda Lee did when she (a White woman) fell in love with a Chinese man and stood up against her own mother for the love of her life. I have like the work of English actor, David Oyelowo since his film "Red Tails". He was great as MLK in "Selma". I have not seen much of English actress, Rosamund Pike, but I did see her in a James Bond and Tom Cruise film. This film was great from start to finish. Love and Hate comes in All skin colors and in this film we see it from both sides, which proves my point. It takes a strong person, mentally and emotionally to stand up to racism in all forms from family members to so call friends and co-workers to say to the world, I love this person and it does not matter the skin color. I give this film two thumbs up for another beautiful Interracial Love story between men and women.

Two films were released in the UK on Friday 25th November, and I am totally amazed to see that A United Kingdom currently sits with a 6.2 rating yet the other movie, Allied, currently has a staggering 7.2. Seriously peeps, Allied is dire in both its acting performances and screenplay, whereas this movie provides a tasteful and interesting view of colonial Britain at its worst. Maybe its lack of marks are due to the non-Hollywood nature of the movie, and its associated subject matter. Anyway I loved the movie, and the two lead performances in particular were excellent and Amma Asante's treatment of the film was as you would expect from her... classy and beautiful. In addition the Botswana backdrop showed Africa at its most engaging. Hopefully its IMDb score will reflect that soon as more and more viewers realise the impact of this story.

6.8 does not do justice to a film that tells a story of how love can overcome boundaries. In this case, this is one of the rare African stories that we tend to get to hear about. For a long time, stories to do with Africa have been about disease, poverty and undernourishment. Asante's take on this film does indeed tell the viewer that there is more to Africa than what meets the eye. I believe that this film should set a precedent for more African stories to be told . This film tells you that there is a lot more than just about Mandela. There is need to learn about other Africans namely Jomo Kenyatta, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, John Chilembwe and many others. These are perhaps some of the few names that I can think of. I commend Asante for taking a bold stand in producing a film of a figure(s) that most people out there may have not heard. For those of you that may want to get a different side to Africa, I would recommend that you begin by watching "A United Kingdom". In my view, it is one of the more decent films of 2016/17 combined.

Grange Hill star Amma Asante brings us an impressive love story that helped mould the foundations of modern Botswana, detailing the controversial marriage that challenged not only the nation, but its African neighbours and the British Empire whose protectorate they were under. David Oyelowo superbly plays Seretse Khama, the rightful heir to the chiefdom and king of Bechuanaland, the African nation to become Botswana in later years. However, due to his father, Sekgoma Khama passing away when Seretse was only 4, his uncle, acting as regent, sent him away to England to be educated and help prepare him for leadership. During this time in England, Seretse meets Ruth and they both fall madly in love with each other totally ignoring the differences and impact their relationship will have on the rest of the world. Oyelowo reunites with Rosamund Pike since Jack Reacher expressing great chemistry between them as the story focuses on the bond and love for one another. David Oyelowo give his greatest performance with inspiring speeches and a strong emotional presence; and Rosamund Pike too, gives possibly her best performance to date whilst not having as much to say, she conveys the frustration and hurt brilliantly as both stand together against the will of everyone else. Strong supporting cast too, with Pirates' Norrington, Jack Davenport giving a brilliant, smarmy portrayal of British representative Alistair Canning. His diction is superb, as is Draco's, Tom Felton's as his second in commander. Terry Pheto and Vusi Kunene also giving great support adding key scenes to the story. The set locations are brilliant, superbly shot and well paced and balanced, giving great contrast between London and Serowe. London being the cold yet majestic, revered city that she is and Serowe being hot, yet vibrant and welcoming. One downside was Patrick Doyle's score; not saying it's bad, not at all, but that's only because I don't remember hearing it. It could be amazing, and I'm a fan of Doyle's work but it's unnoticeable here. What's good about this film is that it's made me angry at what a Government, such as the British, did to a nation and their rightful rulers, making me feel almost ashamed of myself for not being aware of this incredible story. It's good to find a film that can influence you and better still, change your perspective of an ideal or something you would otherwise believe in. But in that same vein, it's warming to know not everyone is the same, and are prepared to shout against the oppression. It's an amazing example, if not symbolic of how powerful one can be, and is almost a reflection of our current affairs, which should beg us to question the current leaders of world. I wouldn't go as far to say it's an all out romance, yes, the very foundation of the story is based on their love for each other but it's also highly political and constructive, being more than just a love story. It's inspiring, touching, shocking and powerful. It's a film about having the courage to stand for what you believe in, for what matters to you most, going up against any adversary no matter how big or powerful, even one as strong as the British Empire. "No man is free who is not master of himself." Running Time: 8 The Cast: 9 Performance: 9 Direction: 9 Story: 9 Script: 9 Creativity: 9 Soundtrack: 3 Job Description: 8 The Extra Bonus Points: 10 for entwining a truly romantic story with politics, producing an inspirational, educational story. Would I buy the Bluray?: Yes 83% 8/10

When I can tick "based on a true story" and "British film-making" I invariably know that I'm in for a treat. This important and emotional true story, is a politically charged drama set in 1947 about (on one side) an African King-in-waiting who risks losing his country for the woman he loves, and (on the other side) his potential white Queen who sacrifices her family for the man she falls in love with. The first half of the film shows their meeting and falling in love. The second half shows the white racism that existed to a black / white relationship and the black African culture that responds to a potential white queen. What a difficult situation at a delicate period in history. A highlight is the emotional "I love my people" speech, which is where the prince addresses a crowd to stake his case for why he should be king and why they should accept his white wife. The film has an old fashioned look and feel. There are strong performances, especially from the lead actors and also the rest of the cast. The British Government's reaction is disturbing at times, but ultimately the messages delivered are that governments and nations can overcome prejudice and love will find a way, even in the face of bitter adversity. Very highly recommended viewing.

The most interesting thing about the movie is the number of exterior scenes shot at sunset. Eventually you realize it was too hot to shoot a movie in the heat of the day. Good performances can't overcome a static cardboard script. Rather then grabbing you emotionally you get the idea you are watching an in school history movie. The movie lacks urgency and passion. Like many true stories the highlight was seeing the actual people portrayed in the movie before the end credits. There are a few Africa shots that look good on the big screen but for the most part there are plenty of two people dialogue scenes that would play better on a home platform.