Those who recognize the reference of my summary line will remember the legendary performances in "Guess who is coming to dinner" (1967), made just one year after Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), the protagonist of "A united kingdom" (2016), became the democratically elected president of independent Botswana. It would be a long shot to suggest that this true story of love and courage overcoming formidable odds against an interracial marriage inspired the making of "Guess who is coming to dinner". As well, while these two movies half a century apart, one true-events-based and one fictional, are both about the love between a black man and a white woman, their focuses are different. "A united kingdom" is first and foremost their love story, among other things. "Guess who is coming to dinner" on the other hand depicts how the parents of the daughter react to the situation, and in the process won Katharine Hepburn an Oscar and Spencer Tracy a nomination (which he might well have won). Those that are moved by "A united kingdom" and have not seen "Guess who is coming to dinner" are highly recommended to get a DVD and watch it.
"A united kingdom", a very good movie in its own right, also deserves to be seen. With today's proliferation of true-story-based movies, not only the movie makers, but even the general audience appreciate the challenge of striking a good balance between staying with the facts and enhancing them with dramatization. "A united kingdom" has accomplished this balance, leaning more towards caution than flair. With a slightly unexpected opening of pugilistic flavour, Khama is introduced to the audience in the boxing ring in his college days in England pursuing a legal education that will prepare him for his return to Botswana (known by a different name then) to rule as king. He has excellent relationship with his uncle (a loving surrogate father), who is currently regent ruling on his behalf. Therefore, no family feud here. The political intrigue is in dealing with the British protectorate arrangement, a power struggle since his grandfather's time. More politics later, but now to the love story first.
In its sweet simplicity, the romance between Khama and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) captures the fancy of the audience, starting with the first glance, the catalyst of jazz, the mutual recognition of each other's intelligence and spirit and, needless to say, the ever-elusive ingredient "chemistry" that Oyelowo and Pike deliver with easy charm. In the culminating proposal scene when he proffers the ring but asks her to take some time to think about it, Pike is at her best when she replies "I don't need any time to decide".
Back to the politics, and here let me right away state that I don't want to elaborate on the complications (including neighbouring South Africa, apartheid, natural resources especially diamond, and Winston Churchill, among many other things). Suffices to cite my summary line: the people of Botswana (and most vehemently his uncle) do not want a white woman to be their queen. The British does not want to see the boat rocked in any way that may erode their control. On a more down-to-earth scale, the Williams family (and most vehemently her father) consider her marrying a black man an outright betrayal. Against the world, the couple's love hold unflinchingly and their courage ultimately triumphs and, in the process, oust British colonialism, bringing independence and democracy to Botswana.
While every single one of the touching moments - from the tender yet resilient love, to the agony of enforced physical separation, to the glory of childbirth, to the heart-warming reconciliation and forgiving, to the climatic upbeat triumphant conclusion – will be unfailingly anticipated by the audience, they are delivered so nearly pitch-perfect that you will still experience that lump in the throat and mist in the eye.
Critics unanimously agree that the top reason, among many, to see this movie is the performance of the leads. After watching "Selma", nobody would doubt Oyelowo's ability to make passionate speeches, which he demonstrates again here. But Khama, unlike legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is more an ordinary man then a towering hero. This aspect Oyelowo portrays particularly well in the scene where under forced physical separation, he hears the crying voice of his new-born baby girl through the phone. You know that Rosamund Pike can handle just about any role if you have experienced her versatile performances. Ruth Williams suits her well. One good example is the scene when she, meeting them for the first time, is confronted by her unexpectedly hostile aunt-in-law and sister-in-law. The two women do all the talking, telling her in no uncertain terms to get out of their country . Pike has no dialogue. But in her flawless expression registers in turn the shock, then understanding, then fierce intelligence and resilience.
If there is a flaw I have to mention, it is the one-note, stereotype depiction of the British colonial bureaucratic personnel, manifested in quite a few characters. No, Churchill does not appear in person but is just referred to almost in passing, and not in his best light. But then to talk about Churchill, a few massive volumes may not be enough.
"A united kingdom", a very good movie in its own right, also deserves to be seen. With today's proliferation of true-story-based movies, not only the movie makers, but even the general audience appreciate the challenge of striking a good balance between staying with the facts and enhancing them with dramatization. "A united kingdom" has accomplished this balance, leaning more towards caution than flair. With a slightly unexpected opening of pugilistic flavour, Khama is introduced to the audience in the boxing ring in his college days in England pursuing a legal education that will prepare him for his return to Botswana (known by a different name then) to rule as king. He has excellent relationship with his uncle (a loving surrogate father), who is currently regent ruling on his behalf. Therefore, no family feud here. The political intrigue is in dealing with the British protectorate arrangement, a power struggle since his grandfather's time. More politics later, but now to the love story first.
In its sweet simplicity, the romance between Khama and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) captures the fancy of the audience, starting with the first glance, the catalyst of jazz, the mutual recognition of each other's intelligence and spirit and, needless to say, the ever-elusive ingredient "chemistry" that Oyelowo and Pike deliver with easy charm. In the culminating proposal scene when he proffers the ring but asks her to take some time to think about it, Pike is at her best when she replies "I don't need any time to decide".
Back to the politics, and here let me right away state that I don't want to elaborate on the complications (including neighbouring South Africa, apartheid, natural resources especially diamond, and Winston Churchill, among many other things). Suffices to cite my summary line: the people of Botswana (and most vehemently his uncle) do not want a white woman to be their queen. The British does not want to see the boat rocked in any way that may erode their control. On a more down-to-earth scale, the Williams family (and most vehemently her father) consider her marrying a black man an outright betrayal. Against the world, the couple's love hold unflinchingly and their courage ultimately triumphs and, in the process, oust British colonialism, bringing independence and democracy to Botswana.
While every single one of the touching moments - from the tender yet resilient love, to the agony of enforced physical separation, to the glory of childbirth, to the heart-warming reconciliation and forgiving, to the climatic upbeat triumphant conclusion – will be unfailingly anticipated by the audience, they are delivered so nearly pitch-perfect that you will still experience that lump in the throat and mist in the eye.
Critics unanimously agree that the top reason, among many, to see this movie is the performance of the leads. After watching "Selma", nobody would doubt Oyelowo's ability to make passionate speeches, which he demonstrates again here. But Khama, unlike legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is more an ordinary man then a towering hero. This aspect Oyelowo portrays particularly well in the scene where under forced physical separation, he hears the crying voice of his new-born baby girl through the phone. You know that Rosamund Pike can handle just about any role if you have experienced her versatile performances. Ruth Williams suits her well. One good example is the scene when she, meeting them for the first time, is confronted by her unexpectedly hostile aunt-in-law and sister-in-law. The two women do all the talking, telling her in no uncertain terms to get out of their country . Pike has no dialogue. But in her flawless expression registers in turn the shock, then understanding, then fierce intelligence and resilience.
If there is a flaw I have to mention, it is the one-note, stereotype depiction of the British colonial bureaucratic personnel, manifested in quite a few characters. No, Churchill does not appear in person but is just referred to almost in passing, and not in his best light. But then to talk about Churchill, a few massive volumes may not be enough.