A United Kingdom (2016)- BFI London Film Festival 2016

111min

Genre:     Fact-based, Drama, Romance

Director:  Amma Asante

Cast:       David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport…and more

Writer:    Guy Hibbert

-Synopsis-

Amma Asante directs a biographical drama based on the true story of Prince and future first president Seretse Khama of Botswana and his controversial interracial relationship with his white British wife Ruth Williams, an early 1940s love story which endured even through major political fallout and ramifications across the British empire.

Keen to make a socio-political statement as they did last year with female empowerment through ‘Suffragette’, the BFI chose diversity and tolerance as its key focus this year;  giving director Asante the chance to become the first black woman to open the London Film Festival, with a stylish melodrama based on perhaps the ultimate true story of love conquering division and prejudice.

David Oyelowo stars as Seretse Khama himself; descendant of powerful chieftains and the heir apparent to the throne of his tribe in Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who meets office worker Ruth (Rosamund Pike) during his studies in England and begins a union which defies deep resentment in both countries, not to mention the ire of African neighbour and British ally South Africa, who took the marriage as a rebuke of their apartheid policies.

Based on the Susan Williams book ‘Colour Bar’, ‘A United Kingdom’ paints a glossy dramatic picture of these two unique people and the early years of their struggle to remain together while fulfilling Khama’s destiny, in a Bechuanaland free of hands-on British rule. And Asante & co. are keen to push the message of “love conquers all”, as the characters confront prejudice on two continents, which gives the narrative an uplifting if fanciful feel.

But the context of the ‘A United Kingdom’ story is arguably the most interesting element of the film, painting an uncomfortable picture of British colonialism and the acts of an empire on its last legs, albeit portrayed through some characters that feel more like caricatures. Particularly interesting is the British government conspiring with the South Africans to prevent Khama from taking his rightful position, a result of Britain’s needs for mineral riches and strategic cold-war support, which led to the appeasement of apartheid rule for decades after.

Oyelowo and Pike admirably bring this unique relationship to life and easily carry the film on their shoulders, as you might expect from actors of their calibre, with Oyelowo using his experiences from ‘Selma’ to bring a stoic nobility to another influential black figure of the 20th century. While the rest of the cast are solid if unspectacular, with Jack Davenport and Tom Felton doing their best as one-dimensional tools of the British Imperial machine.

Despite the fascinating true story which reverberates today and a legacy of colonialism which us Brits have trouble confronting honestly, ‘A United Kingdom’ ultimately stumbles heavily when it comes to the overall execution. By falling into the familiar rhythms of virtually all historical biopics and period dramas, the film proves to be predictable and sentimental both in narrative and tone, and from start to finish, giving the impression of an uplifting story being used as a political message… albeit a very noble one.

Ultimately this a familiar historical melodrama given the full Hollywood biopic treatment, with all but the two lead characters proving to be clichéd within a predictably cloying narrative, even featuring the obligatory romance novel ending. But the story is remarkable and the central performances strong enough to demand your attention throughout; it’s not exactly prize-winning drama but if you’re up for a brief history lesson, a soft colonial guilt-trip and noble power-couple to root for, ‘A United Kingdom’ is just about worth your time.

The Bottom Line…

Based on an inspirational true story of love conquering all, a predictable and sentimental historical melodrama execution makes ‘A United Kingdom’ a case for fact being more interesting than the fiction; but thanks to expert performances from its two leads and a fascinating historical context, there’s just about enough to keep you engaged and informed throughout.

‘A United Kingdom’ is out on the 25th of November in the UK, and the 17th of February 2017 in the US.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Selma (2015)

David Oyelowo stars as Martin Luther King Jr. in a particular period of the American Civil Rights movement where a socio-political struggle for equal voting rights in the south led to the legendary Alabama march, from Selma to the state capital Montgomery.

Directed by Ava DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo and Tom Wilkinson among others.

Comments

comments

Comments are closed.