"The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them.”
That quote, from Liberia’s president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is the first thing audiences see during the trailer for “Queen of Katwe,” based on the life of Phiona Mutesi, a preteen growing up in the poor area ofKatwe in Kampala, Uganda. Phiona (played by newcomer Madina Nalwanga) helps make the money necessary for her family to survive by selling maize. One day, Phiona comes across a church. Looking into the building, she witnesses kids learning how to play chess. After being invited in and fed porridge, Phiona returns often and develops an admiration for the game. Much to the dismay of Phiona’s mother, Nakku (Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o), the ministry, led by Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), decides to enter the kids in a chess tourney at King’s College. After failing, at first, to get them in, due to the kids’ background, Robert raises enough money to enter. In the tournament, Phiona wins the gold medal, and is soon recognized as a prodigy.
The cinematography and camera angles, especially during the chess matches, are especially well-executed. The script by William Wheeler effectively brings a strong balance between the triumph of an underdog story with the authenticity of the film’s true story basis. For a Disney movie, this doesn't shy away from the harsh realities that Phiona's family had to go through.
Wheeler gives rich characterization to the story’s primary characters, and makes some clever moves with some of the film's moral situations. One scene involving Phiona starting to succumb to the pressures and influences of the modern world and obsession with chess is arguably the weakest of the film, but it results in two simultaneous scenes that both result in an ingenious moral payoff for the lead character and for the viewers. The film paces smoothly through its 2 hour runtime, and never gets to the point of draggy.
Nalwanga is impressive in her acting debut. As a Uganda native, she delivers all the qualities necessary to bring her character to life. Oyelowo shows a lot of versatility as the Coach. He effectively goes between being fun and engaging for the children, as well as being an inspiring motivator for Phiona. Nyong’o, who is getting Oscar® buzz for her role, commands the screen in every scene she’s in. Behind her character’s strong willpower lies a tormented spirit that has suffered with a rough past. The kids in the ministry are fun and they make you smile.
Alex Heffes music score is very nice at times. Alicia Key's end credit song is moving, and so is the fun little rap song "#1 Spice". I also thought the ending involving the real life people standing next to the actors was the perfect touch at the end. It is an original and really nice twist on the usual "true story" look on the characters.
On the downside, the "#1 Spice" is overplayed slightly, and the music video during the end credits is somewhat out-of-place with the movie's serious tone.
After getting off to a bit of a rough start this year with the politically-correct undertones of Zootopia, the Mouse House has roared back to life with fantastic family-friendly films such as Finding Dory and Pete's Dragon. And with Queen of Katwe, they show they are still able to make inspiring, true and real-feeling stories driven by great characters (Secretariat and McFarland, USA are two other great examples). It's always refreshing when Disney takes a break from their big-budget franchises and remakes.
In the case of Queen of Katwe, I'd rank this right alongside those other two, if not the former. Because this movie engages you and never lets you go. It may have a couple of slightly weaker moments, but even they play a purpose and result in something that a moviegoer wouldn't see coming. This may be a Disney movie, but it takes some pretty unconventional and realistic turns to get to its happy ending.
More impressively, however, is the film's very solid representation of faith. In the midst of controversial theories going on about religious faith, it's nice to see a studio like Disney treat the Christian lifestyle in a respectful and positive way. There are several strong, inspiring, and Biblical messages to be found throughout the film as well.
Altogether, Queen of Katwe is a must-see event for everyone. With Mira Nair's assured and authentic direction, it's a film deserving of awards season attention, and one of the most inspiring, down-to-earth productions I've experienced in recent memory.
Score: 9.4/10
Content Problems Families Should Be Aware Of:
Content Problems Families Should Be Aware Of:
Language: A couple of uses of "oh my g--". It may have been interjected once or twice more in shock.
Adult Content: Robert and his wife kiss and cuddle in one scene. Katwe is so poor, and it is hinted at a few times that one of the only real ways to make money is prostitution. Night is implied to be in a similar type of business, and her mother is clearly not happy about it. She says, “I can look away, but God sees what you do.” We see Night in slightly provocative, tight-fitting outfits. We also see another woman dressed a bit suggestively being dragged back into a house by a couple of men. Phiona knows about this, and asks, “What if the men start coming after me?” Nakku is tempted once to try and be involved with another man, but she resists and goes about her business. Someone says to her, “I will give you something for free if you give me something for free.” She shrugs him off. Another says, “Go find a sugar daddy.” Someone plants a seed of doubt in Nakku’s head about the ministry, saying, “Who knows what they’re doing to the children?” These are all implied situations, and the lifestyle is never shown in a positive light.
Violence: In one scene, a kid is hit by a motorcycle. We see some bloody gashes on his body. In the hospital, we hear him scream in pain as doctors try to stitch him up. Someone yanks an IV out of a patient. In another scene, as I mentioned before, Phiona’s family’s house is flooded and her youngest brother is nearly swept away. Someone is punched in the face. Someone is violently grabbed at one point. The depiction of Katwe might be a bit sophisticated or saddening for younger viewers.
Drugs/Alcohol: Medicinal drugs are used in a hospital.
Other: On her first visit to the church, Phiona is mocked and made fun of by the kids (they later change their tune as they get to know her). Some of the kids in the King’s College chess tournament don’t treat Phiona and her friends very nicely, either. Gambling is referenced, and it’s shown in the past that Robert did engage in gambling with friends as they played chess.
