When I first saw the trailer for A United Kingdom it seemed like a movie that was probably going to be pretty good, but didn’t make me want to jump up and go out and see it. So when I had the opportunity to review it I was happy to sit down and give it a chance.
A United Kingdom tells the love story between Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), heir to the Bechuanaland throne, and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), a white British woman. They meet in the late 1940s and despite angering people both in Britain and in South Africa the two get married. This greats some huge turmoil, politically speaking, and the two must stick together to fight for their love and for the freedom of Khama’s country and people.
It’s a film that starts out purely as romance and evolves into political struggle without losing the emotions that started the story. Director Amma Asante as balanced these two ideas wonderfully.
The only flaw to this film is the believability of of the first few minutes. Khama and Williams meet and instantly fall in love. That’s not to say there is no chemistry between Oyelowo and Pike, far from it, they are great on screen together. However, for what Khama and Williams go through together, they have to be madly, deeply in love. And while the stars’ chemistry helps us believe this, the scenes themselves don’t really sell it. We accept that they’ve fallen in love, because, hey, that’s what really happened, but a few scenes of them dancing and dealing with racist British folks isn’t enough.
That said, the rest of the film is pretty great. Not only do they have to deal with the racism of the British people and the complicated relationship Britain has with South Africa and Apartheid, but Khama’s uncle, who is currently in charge of Bechuanaland makes things even more complicated for them when they return to his homeland.
It’s amazing what these two suffered through not only so save their relationship, but to save Khama’s country as well. It’s even more amazing that this is a true story where we can still see the ramifications of their actions today. One of Khama’s sons is the current president of Botswana.
A United Kingdom is a stirring story with some solid performances, but in the end it still ends up only being a really good film, not the great film that perhaps it should be. I don’t say this to take away from what the film accomplishes. I quite enjoyed it, but it didn’t blow me away. If you haven’t seen it, I would say it is certainly worth your time.
The film is presented in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio and Dolby 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. According to the special features, this was the first feature film ever to be shot in Botswana. This is a gorgeous film with some truly breathtaking scenes of a country never before seen in cinema.
Extras include: Making Of (6 min.) Filming in Botswana (6 min.) The Legacy of Seretse and Ruth (4 min.) London Film Festival Opening Night Gala Premiere (6 min.).
A United Kingdom is a very good movie that perhaps could have been a great movie. It provides some beautiful scenery and some fantastic performances. If you’re at all interested in history, this is a certainly worthy of your time.
20th Century Fox presents A United Kingdom. Written by Guy Hibbert. Based on the novel “Colour Bar” by Susan Williams. Directed by Amma Asante. Starring: David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike. Running time: 111 min. Rating: PG-13. Released on Blu-Ray: June 6, 2017.
