A United Kingdom

This review may contain spoilers!

Maybe with a better sense of direction and style this film could have delivered the inspirational story it attempted to convey. I would give A United Kingdom a 6/10.

This film works really well at showcasing it's two main protagonists and their struggle against the systemic discrimination that tried to block their love for one another. This is a film that creates a great discussion about the history of apartheid, colonisation and institutional discrimination that existed within England, South Africa and even Botswana. I think the best parts of the narratives were the subtler scenes that created a powerful message, Ruth breastfeeding with a group of native Batswana mothers or Alistair Canning arriving to an empty meeting ground are some of the finer moments of the film. The score is a passionate backing, providing the perfect sound to Ruth and Seretse's defiant and powerful love for one another.

Rosamund Pike, who played Ruth Williams, was a strong lead to this film; I found it fascinating to watch this character adapt to and become a part of the Batswana culture. Jack Davenport, who played Alistair Canning, is an exceptional antagonist within this film; his arrogant and smug role really lords above all others in many of the scenes he's in. Tom Felton, who played Rufus Lancaster, is another great antagonist within this film; his 'by the books' manner and indifferent attitude towards the Batswana people creates great conflict. Terry Pheto, who played Naledi Khama, is a really strong and compassionate role; it's really nice to see the relationship grow between Pike and Pheto's characters throughout the film. Vusi Kunene, who played Tshekedi Khama, was a very forceful patriarch within the film; Kunene creates a leader who cares for his people and who has a lot of power in how he is presented which creates some great similarities to Oyelowo. Abena Ayivor, who played Ella Khama, was a fairly minor role that really made her mark upon this film; her initial confrontation with Pike sets the tone for the struggle ahead and it is only when Ayivor and Pike reconcile at the end of the film that you feel the narrative has come full circle.

However the best performance came from David Oyelowo, who played Seretse Khama. Oyelowo presents a powerful role who is fueled by a love for his people and his wife. This is a character who really has to struggle throughout this film, you see Oyelowo hit a breaking point a few different times which is only a testimony to his range as an actor. The love he displays towards Ruth is very sincere and quite touching, I feel that even if Oyelowo and Pike don't have the best chemistry all the time there is certainly a great deal of love at the heart of this film. Yet what makes Oyelowo stand apart is something he did amazingly in Selma as well, it's his ability to project and perform incredibly moving speeches that encourages not only the characters to move forwards to a better future but us as an audience as well.

The two main characters of this film are performed well by Oyelowo and Pike and the narrative focusses upon them but I did feel that the script didn't provide them with the best chemistry at times. Furthermore the subject matter of the film could be presented with a lot more impact, as it was things moved at a gradual pace. We got plenty of insight into the events that occurred throughout but there was no depth or strong personal hook into the subject matter of the film, this felt more documentary than biopic at times. The cinematography was also pretty lackluster, everything was filmed in a very safe and simple manner which left you rather underwhelmed by the visual style. The editing likewise was very slow, providing even more problems with the film's pacing.

Laura Carmichael, Nicholas Lyndhurst and Anastasia Hille, who played Muriel Williams, George Williams and Dot Williams respectively, all do a rather bad job at playing Pike's family in this film; these roles all feel disconnected from one another and there's no sense of family there at all. Jessica Oyelowo and Charlotte Hope, who played Lady Lilly Canning and Olivia Lancaster respectively, seem to be hastily written antagonist counterparts to Ruth; while very vicious the manner in which these women perform their roles gets a bit over the top during their scenes. Jack Lowden, who played Tony Benn, was a character that was introduced too late to make much impact; his role within the British parliament wasn't very interesting and dragged the film along.