By Emilio Frenk
Director: Mira Nair
Cast: David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwange, Martin Kabanza, Taryn Kyaze, Ivan Jacobo and Nikita Waligwa.
Rating: Excellent.
Indian director Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding” and “The Perez Family”) brings “Queen of Katwe”, a sweet and touching movie that is engaging from beginning to end.
Based on true events, “Queen of Katwe” tells the story of Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwange) a poor girl fromUganda who sells corn in the streets.
One day Phiona walks in the village and observes a group of children that are playing chess who are being teached by Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) who then teaches Phiona.
Soon she will be more engaged in the game and Katende will be preparing her for the World Chess Olympiads andeventually will make her a true prodigy and one of the most respected chess players in the world.
“Queen of Katwe” works mostly in all levels and the script was told in so much detail from the beginning to end. I love the fact that even though is a story that it’s based in real events, it doesn’t bore and tells the necessary facts of Phiona’s journey on how she became a chess player in a way that it didn’t fill the audience with tons of informtion which has been a common mistake in this type of movies.
The chemistry of all the characters specially from David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o works and both give solid performances.
I consider David Oyelowo as one the greatest actors of this generation and he has given remarkables performances in movie like “Middle of Nowhere” and of course “Selma” where he portayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and in this ocassion he delivers the goods.
Lupita Nyong’o gives a solid performance as Phiona’s mother who gives her strength and courage to achieve her daughter’s goals.
The direction by Mira Nair was sharp and she was very smart on how to get the best of the cast and gave very good perfornaces.
The screenplay written by William Wheeler is really well told and although they were moments that they weren’t necessary in the movie but still he wrote a very good screenplay which is true and believable.
“Queen of Katwe” will touch your hearts and I can guarantee you that you will leave the movie theater fulled and inspired and I think that Phiona Mutesi’s life is a great example of perseverance and never giving up on your goals.
I recommend “Queen of Katwe” and I can guarantee you that you will enjoy it.