"The Woman King" Review: This Should Not Be Missed!
There’s no doubt that The Woman King will be a cultural experience for many this weekend. The telling of one of the most feared and revered female warriors on the big screen is something to behold. While some of the action feels “Disney-fied”, the message in this film is undeniably powerful and should not be missed!
The film revolves around the West African nation of Dahomey in the early 1800s. Known for their fierce, all-female warriors called the Agojie, we’re thrust amidst an ongoing Game of Thrones amongst African Kingdoms. Nanisca (Viola Davis) leads these incredible warriors and after a recent battle, realizes she needs new, stronger soldiers to fight off the rival Oyo empire. The Agojie are all that stand in the way of the Oyo and King Ghezo (John Boyega) has full faith in them.
Nanisca leans on her right hand, Amenza (Sheila Atim). It’s evident that they have been through good and bad times together. Amenza holds Nanisca’s orders, secrets and trust as a chosen sister. Izogie (Lashana Lynch) trains the new crop of prospective Agojie. She’s an aggressive fighter with ambition to be more who gives tough love and mentoring to the hopeful. One amongst them is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu). Nawi is an untraditional young woman who has turned every suitor away with her attitude. For her, the Agojie is her way out of a life of subjectivity.
With war as a vehicle of urgency, in the backdrop of the setting is also the Atlantic slave trade. It’s a part of the movie that is naturally highlighted as a theme of both physical and mental slavery shows itself throughout the film. Writers Dana Stevens and Maria Bello shine light on the various tribes and nations involved in the atrocity and in a minor way, the impact that we can assume it had on the African people. Trauma is dealt with in a way that is both heartbreaking and triumphant! As each member of the Agojie carry the weight of their own trauma, how they overcome is perhaps the most powerful message in the film.
Gina Prince-Bythewood (Beyond The Lights) may not be a house hold name to many, because she directs a feature film so infrequently. However, when she does get behind the camera, it’s always worth watching. Her ability to capture human relationships is always refreshing. Viola Davis gives a masterful performance as always. The lean she does at the climax of the film takes you through so many emotions without her saying a word. Lashana Lynch will likely have Oscar buzz surrounding her performance as she gives Izogie a hard exterior with a soft core to create a complex but lovable character.
The celebration in song and dance throughout the film is moving. You can feel the joy and pain at times in the tribal dancing. The action in this film is a little underwhelming at times. To be all female warriors, you would expect serious bloodshed. Even if that couldn’t be shown due to the rating, the problem is that the camera doesn’t allow you to see the fight choreography in full. Mid-shots are used rather than wides. So the action feels stifled at times, which is sad because it would be nice to see all of the hard work these amazing actresses put in on full display. To see women tough and brutal is not something we get often from film. Perhaps some will say we got a lot here, but this did feel like it was under the watchful eye of someone to keep it PG-13.
Whatever the case may be, the message in this film and the portrayals by the cast is worth seeing! Grab some friends and go this weekend! This was like church for the crowd I screened the film with. They talked to the screen and audibly showed they related to the message. That’s the power of film!
Rating: B+
