At the risk of being redundant, which I am, I repeat for the umpteenth time: true stories make the best movies.
Of the last seventy-five films I have reviewed, twenty five of them have been true stories, and with a few exceptions, they are heads and shoulders above the rest. Fresh from the Toronto International Film Festival, Queen of Katwe joins that list; itâs a movie you will likely remember for some time to come. Interestingly enough, this may be the only review you will find about this film, none of the six or so newspapers I read said a word about it.
I have never been to Uganda, and chances are slim that you have either. After seeing this movie, if you had aspirations about going, you wonât need to. The entire story is filmed there, the bulk of it in the slums of Kampala, providing us with a realistic look at what life is like in that environ. The cinematography is stunning, the surroundings so different from our way of life itsâ hard to fathom, and to add to the dilemma there are no Culverâs.
Queen of Katwe
Entertainment Rating: ★★★ (see comments)
Rating: PG: Family fare
Possible Oscar Nominations: Best Actress, Madina Nalwanga, Best Supporting Actress, Lupita Nyongâo
This is the true story of Phiona Mutesi, played by Madina Nalwanga, a young Ugandan girl, living in abject poverty; surroundings that you and I could not fathom until you see the story for yourself. Her mother, played by Oscar winner Lupita Nyongâo, (12 Years a Slave), is a remarkable character, keeping her family of four children together and fed, after being abandoned by her husband. Phiona is accidently introduced to chess, a match made in heaven as she is a prodigy almost from the âget go.â Her coach, Robert Katende, played superbly by Robert Oyelowo, recognizes her gift immediately and becomes her champion.
Fighting through one obstacle after another, slowly but surely, Phiona progresses in her education about the world of chess, despite not being able to read. At times, her coach has to plead for her mother to release her from her duties at home, so he can continue to teach and encourage.
One of their greatest challenges is entry into almost any competition, as she is a âgirl,â uneducated and from the slums.
There are a number of absorbing scenes as the chess matches are superbly staged, no doubt with a Grand Master or two behind the scenes. If you understand the game it will be a little more interesting, but even if you donât, you will surely comprehend whatâs going on. While chess becomes the means to an end for Phiona, the real story is about courage, grit and determination for a small family living in dire circumstances.
This may not be a three star movie for everyone. It moves slowly at times and lacks any kind of special effects. There are, however, three super-heroes: mom, daughter, and coach.
