A United Kingdom

Overview

In the realm of cinema, there's rarely such a thing as a simple love story. The latest film from Belle director Amma Asante proves that point more than most. As far as rousing romances based on real-life stories go, A United Kingdom hits the jackpot. A relationship struggling to flourish in the face of race-related divides and widespread international attention, and with the British government wilfully interfering, sits at the heart of this engaging feature, as drawn from a chapter of history many audiences mightn't know.

The year is 1948, the place is London, and while the times might be a-changing after World War II, there are still battles to be fought. When typist Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) meets and falls in love with Prince Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) of Bechuanaland, they can ignore the racist taunts directed towards them in the streets, and even her parents' strong disapproval. Alas, when they wed and later settle in the country now known as Botswana, avoiding the diplomatic conflict that follows becomes impossible.

Guided by his uncle (Vusi Kunene), most of Seretse's tribe is against their union, as is the government in neighbouring Apartheid South Africa. English officials (including the Harry Potter franchise's Tom Felton) are also far from happy, doing whatever they can to stifle Ruth and Seretse's union in the name of global politics, economics and the Commonwealth. It's a situation teeming with injustice — and while the fact that it has been turned into a handsome drama might give an indication of the outcome, A United Kingdom provides an example of solid emotional storytelling from start to finish. Even as outside forces pull the film's star-crossed lovers in opposite directions, they never lose sight of what's important. Nor, for her part, does Asante.

Indeed, while much of A United Kingdom might seem politely generic — filled as it is with honey-coloured sights and unravelling as it does at a measured, straightforward pace — there is far more at play here than just a love story. Demonstrating their ability to not only tell an important tale, but tell it well, Assante and writer Guy Hibbert (Eye in the Sky) are at their best when they're swapping easy sentiment for quiet fortitude — the kind a woman might need to persevere when she's stranded in a foreign country without her beloved, and bullied by those around her, for example.

With that in mind, keep your eyes firmly on Pike. She's worlds away from her steely, unsettling performance in 2014's Gone Girl, but her work here proves no less compelling. Thanks to her efforts, audiences will gain an even better idea of the tensions and struggles of marrying someone that most don't approve of, as well as the tenacity required to soldier on in the face of public scorn. Hers is a quiet performance but a physically expressive one, transitioning between confident and tentative, yet never dampening Ruth's sense of resolve. Oyelowo, meanwhile, brings his usual combination of charm and gravitas, adding to an impressive resume that also includes Selma and Queen of Katwe of late. But it's his costar who really stands out in this stirring true story.