[yasr_overall_rating]
An Ugandan girl sees her world rapidly change after being introduced to the game of chess.
Spanning five years, specifically 2007-2012, Mira Nair’s based-on-a-true-story “Queen of Katwe” follows a young chess prodigy who hails from the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Only don’t expect another “Slumdog Millionaire” – itself a sanitized depiction of a highly violent, dog-eat-dog world. This “Queen” is gorgeous to behold, airbrushing tumultuous lives with a PG stylus to make it all a family-friendly, harmless affair. Visceral scenes of slumdog existence are absent – instead we get a kaleidoscopic, gorgeous depiction of the nation, with even the protagonists’ struggles (eviction, a torrential downpour, poverty) coming off as whimsical and charming.
While some may find that approach offensive, I was pleasantly surprised by the assured direction, central trio of performances and a pace that manages to entertain but not awe. Don’t let the sappy trailer fool you – while this film is certainly prone to glamorizing and could have used a bit of trimming, it nevertheless remains an interesting story that is accessible to kids and may even teach them a lesson or two – both about chess and overcoming struggles.
Phiona (newcomer Madina Nalwanga) is a feisty young girl who lives in the “ghetto” with her resolute mother Nakku (Lupita Nyong’o) and siblings. One day she spies the local football coach Robert (David Oyelowo) gathering a team of young “pioneers” in a warehouse to practice playing chess. It doesn’t take long for Phiona’s plucky attitude to show itself; impressed, Robert invites her to join (“This is a place for fighters,” he says.) Amazed by the natural talent of the illiterate young girl – “So you just reasoned out this end portion on your own?” – Robert quickly recruits her.
Together they overcome her mother’s reluctance to part with her child and fear that Phiona will forget her roots, as well as a little bit of prejudice and injustice (“I cannot bring a disease into this school,” the Chairman says about Phiona when Robert asks him if she can join the championship) to eventually participate in major chess competitions – from Kings College (“the finest school in the country”) to the U.N.-sponsored International Chess Tournament in Sudan to the Chess Olympiad in Russia.
And it’s all oh-so-lighthearted and fun. Basked in sun-drenched hues and a wide color spectrum (courtesy of cinematographer Sean Bobbitt, who worked on the polar-opposite, grisly “12 Years a Slave”), the film resolutely avoids delving too deep into the issues that plague this beautiful African nation. All conflicts are resolved quite promptly, without too much effort or sacrifice. Most goals are accomplished with a bit of determination and spunk. A great example of this is the scene at Kings College, where Robert’s “pioneers” are having panic attacks before the tournament, and he swiftly calms them down with an eccentric anecdote, followed by an inspirational speech. Anyone who’s seen a movie will be able to tell where this is all headed from the first minute, but in this case it’s more about the journey than the destination.
Thankfully, Nair got a trio of great actors to carry the film. While Nyong’o (gorgeous and passionate) and Robert (determined and kind) unsurprisingly give multi-dimensional performances, it’s Nalwanga, in her very first role, who forms the backbone of the film. She is by turns spirited, goofy, charming and convincingly erudite. I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot more of her in the near future. She even manages to hold our attention during the chess sequences, which, like the game itself, are somewhat boring, especially for those who don’t know the intricacies of the game. The wee ones may be zoning out during those scenes, but the adults may stay mesmerized due to the young actress’s natural talent. Nair’s knack for an off-beat vibe and bright tone with little glimpses of darkness also helps to counter-balance all the polish, predictability and sentiment.
“Queen of Katwe” is packed to the brim with obvious chess metaphors: “In chess, the little one can become the big one. That’s why I like it.” “Do not be quick to tip your king.” “What matters is when we reset the pieces and play again.” At over two hours, this obviousness does become repetitive, and the film proportionally gets a bit muddled – 30 minutes could have easily been trimmed off. That said, the director knows a thing or two about society ostracizing folks (“The Namesake” dealt with immigration issues; “Amelia” examined the role of women in the early 20th Century), as well as keeping a lively pace. While not exactly a check mate, “Queen of Katwe” is a game well played.
In theaters Friday, September 30th
