Genre: Drama; Action
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Writers: Dana Stevens & Maria Bello
Starring: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim and John Boyega
The Woman King is one of those movies with a trailer that doesn't sell the movie as it really is... and let me say I considered the movie far superior than what I was expecting. Audiences might go watch it expecting an action flick... and they will get it for sure, but The Woman King is much more than that. Go for the action and for the charismatic Viola Davis, but you will remember it for the sisterhood drama, for the incredible acting ensemble and for the score by Terence Blanchard.
First of all, there's some historical inaccuracies about Dahomey's politics regarding slavery it seems, but I don't consider they are fundamental for the movie's success/flop. What this movie is really about is female empowerment in every level - power because they have a mind of their own, power because they need no man, power because they are fierce, power because they can participate in politics. It's a movie about making your own destiny with a little help from your peers - and that's what really sells the movie!
The narrative begins with a village raid and that's when you first contact with Sheila Atim, Lashana Lynch and (mainly) Viola Davis' characters - and the lead actress totally owns the movie from scene one here. In fact, the movie belongs to Viola Davis: she totally owns every scene displaying her character's inner feeling through some subtle expression, some subtle glances, some subtle voice tone. It's her best performance ever after 2016's Fences and maybe her most nuanced and less over-the-top one in years. Davis name is often associated with some heavy dramatic moments, with tears, screams and her signgature runny nose igniting her face with sadness/anger/trauma, but this performance is way more restrained, yet it can be even more powerful. And I have to mention the impressive physicality the actress gives to Nanisca, selling her as the most powerful warrior of the bunch.
Sheila Atim has some key scenes that give her some room to display her dramatic chops, but it is Lashana Lynch who gets the "scene stealer" title from the supporting cast - hers are moments of comic relief and moments of inspiring line deliveries and there's something about her presence that really attracts the audiences eyes, even when she's not saying anything. As for Thuso Mbedu, she gets a co-lead treatment here as the young girl who starts her personal journey at the same time the narrative's conflict also starts - and she more than holds her own alongside the titanic presence of Davis. It's Mbedu's cinematic breakthrough performance and she's a delight to watch - plus, she was gifted with some of the most expressive eyes you will see this year on the big screen.
As for the action scenes, they are impressive. The fighting choreographies are eye-popping and you can see Davis, Mbedu, Lynch and Atim fully delivering fully commited physical turns with spears and blades. The editing could be more ambitious, but they are fine enough and the sound work elevates them with grand style. In fact, it shows Gina Prince-Bythewood was in complete control of her movie and she never loses control, she never gets lost in the epic scale of her production, she finds the movie's heart in the average script - and she elevates its.
A note regarding the colorful and pretty costume design by Gersha Phillips (who was also able to design some fighting clothes that allowed the actresses to move freely while looking good) and the makeup and hairstyle works (by a local artist named Babalwa Mtshiselwa, it seems) because they help transport the audience to the 19th century Africa. And I couldn't pass on raving about Terence Blanchard's original score - it simply soars with you! The African landscapes look quite imperial, the dramatic moments shake your heart and the warriors' greatness feel even greater thanks to a score that fits the movie perfectly.
So, I must say The Woman King is not the best movie you'll see this year in theaters, but it is a very good one that demands a watch in the biggest screen possible, with the best sound system you can find. It's an old school action epic about Black powerful women fighting for their homes while they find support in each other during their own personal journeys. Go for the action, stay for the girls both in front and behind the camera!
RATING: 8 / 10
Oscar potential categories:
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Gina Prince-Bythewood)
- Best Actress (Viola Davis)
- Best Supporting Actress (Thuso Mbedu)
- Best Supporting Actress (Lashana Lynch)
- Best Costume Design
- Best Makeup & Hair
- Best Original Score
- Best Sound
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