292. The Woman King; movie review

 

THE WOMAN KING

Cert 15

135 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, injury detail, sexual violence, racism

"Oh, come on, this is going too far down politically correct boulevard, isn't it?", I hear people cry.

But basic reading proves that The Woman King is actually founded on a true story.

So, yes, in the small country of Dahomey in West Africa, a battalion of women soldiers were at the frontline of the country's survival.

Of course, romance and sentimentality have been chucked into The Woman King's narrative but this is not a movie which trumpets black people or women for the sake of it.

And it is rather refreshing to be on the side of an army of African females.

They are led by Viola Davis who apparently went through intensive training to play their relentless leader.

I would never imagine her in such a movie but she completely proved me wrong.

Gina Prince-Bythewood's movie is set at the time when Europeans are taking slaves from West Africa and that adds another layer to the movie.

Indeed, I was surprised how prisoners taken in the battles between indigenous enemies are handed over for the evil trade.

Ultimately, however, this is a story of how the people of a small country have to fight against the odds and the tensions amid their ranks.

Much of the action is seen through the eyes of a young ambitious and sometimes reckless soldier (Thuso Mbedu) who is taken to the king's guard after refusing a marriage match.

There is no compromise in her training where she has the courage to be a great warrior but has much to learn about the temperament required.

Lashana Lynch plays her mentor - who is as tough as any soldier and also has the right words of encouragement to her headstrong protege.

But the biggest head-turner is Davis whose character Nanisca is the power behind the throne newly occupied by a young king (John Boyega).

Can this really be the woman who was the lead in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom?

The truth is that she convinces in both roles and is a true trailblazer in insuring wider diversity in mainstream movies without forsaking quality.

Reasons to watch: Based on a surprisingly true story

Reasons to avoid: Overly sentimental

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? Dahomey was in western Africa in the region that is now southern Benin.

The final word.  Gina Prince-Bythewood: "It’s my job as the director to do that deep dive into the research. So much of what I found got me excited to then put it in the script. More truth, more authenticity of who these women were, who the kingdom was, that dynamic, socially and in the government, and what was going on the outskirts of that — a big David-vs.-Goliath conflict versus the Oyo. " Polygon

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