The Woman King
Sony’s The Woman King is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 15.
STORY: A-
On one hand, this is a historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. On the other hand, it’s a universal story about living and surviving as a woman in a world ruled by men, no matter the century. And if you had another hand, which this movie apparently does, it’s a moving story of family. These three threads weave together to build a story much stronger and more poignant than what we usually find in an action flick.
PEOPLE: A
The following people give not-just-good-but-great performances: Thuso Mbedu, John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and Masali Baduza. But we need to talk about Viola *$%^&#@ Davis. Pardon the foul language, but it’s time to stop calling her the “Black Meryl Streep.” There’s a new queen (king?) in town. We need to start calling Meryl Streep the White Viola Davis.
It takes a great actor to terrify an audience. Having one unforgettably terrifying performance on your IMDb page is an impressive feat for any actor. But Viola Davis can ask us, “And how would you like your terror today?” like she works at a fancy restaurant that serves sizzling acting performances instead of steaks. She can bring you a plate with Denzel Washington’s kneecaps, which she personally chopped off in her Oscar winning argument scene in Fences. She can whip up a combo of monster and mastermind criminal, like she does in Widows. In The Woman King, she serves us straight up action movie star. I’m watching a 57 year old woman swinging machetes at 280 pound dudes and saying to myself, “I actually like her chances in this fight.” She’s an incredible actor.
FILM GEEK STUFF: B+
You’ll lean forward toward the screen during the battle scenes. You’ll wince and gasp more than usual because you care about what happens way more than you usually do. Why? Because the filmmakers decide to use close up shots instead of wider, more expansive shots. Most historical action films go wide, trying to impress and overwhelm us with the sheer magnitude of the battle. In The Woman King, the camera constantly sits close to the one v one clashes occurring inside the massive melee. We sit right by the side of someone we’ve come to care about and root for. There’s an intimacy which creates a much higher level of tension than any large scale battle ever could.
BATTLE SPEECHES (Elective Class): A
I’m just going to say it. Nanisca (Viola Davis) delivers a better pre-battle speech than William Wallace. Rewatching Braveheart, I was surprised at how short the speech is. It’s also largely guilt driven., which is not the most inspirational emotion to tap into. The “one chance/FREEDOM!” segment still slays, but as much as it pains me to admit, the speech’s greatness doesn’t hold up after 27 years.
Nanisca makes her army itself the main character of her speech. It’s not about the dangerous situation Dahomey finds itself in. It’s not about the vicious enemy and their appalling offenses. It’s solely about her sisters-in-battle. She uses the opposite of personification (thingification???) to illustrate their power. They are a spear. They are a blade. It makes them believe they are something more powerful than the sum of their parts. It doesn’t matter who the enemy is. They will win. I’d follow her anywhere.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Do not allow the internet complainers stop you from seeing The Woman King. Narrative movies aren’t designed to deliver the truth. Truth is the job of a textbook, a documentary film, or a trusted family physician. Narrative films are meant to expose you to something you may not have heard about before. They should inspire you to go and investigate the new thing that you’d like to learn more about.
Narrative films’ jobs are to entertain us, to inspire us, to teach us truths about living life that we couldn’t learn any other way. In these ways, and many others, The Woman King rules.