Disney's Queen of Katwe tells the true-life story of Phiona Mutesi, a young Ugandan woman who, from 2010 to 2014, became one of the world's most exciting chess players.
With their family life crumbling, Phiona and her younger brother Brian take up chess at the hands of coach Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), head of the local sports ministry program. Coach Katende cultivates Phiona's talent, much to the chagrin of the girl's mother Harriet (Lupita Nyong'o). Phiona easily beats the other children in her program and quickly becomes the anchor of the team. Though not without a few setbacks, Phiona makes several successful tournament runs against school-educated opponents. She later becomes a national hero when she's invited to play at the Chess Olympiad, one of the biggest tournaments in the world.
The story and script hardly differentiate much from your standard, feel-good, Disney sports movie fare. What really makes this film worthwhile are the performances, especially from Nyong'o and Oyelowo who are at the top of their respective games right now. Nobody will win any Oscars for this one, but this cast should be proud of the dramatically satisfying work they hand in here. Oyelowo displays passion and heart in every smirk and in every fist pump as he watches Phiona compete. I wish I could've played anything under this guy. Nyong'o is simply a tour-de-force. They say "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." This woman plays Harriet with a fiery disposition, one molded by her harsh surroundings. In turn, Harriet is a mother who raises her kids through "tough love," and the movie is all the better for it.
Queen of Katwe comes recommended as a largely-satisfying drama despite some familiar sports-movie tropes.
B+
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