The Woman King largely reigns supreme due to laudable performances from its female leads – with Oscar recognition a distinct possibility.
In this Western African kingdom of Dahomey (now known as Benin) 1823-set historical epic, Viola Davis – already an Academy Award-winner with 2016’s Fences – stars as General Nanisca, the leader of the all-female group of warriors known as the Agojie.
But while she’s being talked about in awards circles, Davis is ably (if not equally) supported by three fantastic co-starring turns from Sheila Atim’s (Pinocchio) Amenza and (particularly) Lashana Lynch’s (No Time to Die) Izogie – as her right-hand commanders – along with rookie starlet Thuso Mbedu, who joins the tribe as strong-willed youngster Nawi, after being rescued by the Agojie.
That’s because the Dahomean woman have been abducted by evil slavers from the Oyo Empire – led by Jimmy Odukoya’s General Oba Ade – and John Boyega’s (the latest Star Wars trilogy) King Ghezo wants to make a stand against this rising tyranny.
Which puts Nanisca and her ferocious warrior collective as the major line of defence against Oba Ade and his far-more evolved Oyo army – who have more horses and muskets at their disposal, as all-out war looms.
But while the vast majority of the story is obviously fictional – think the likes of Braveheart and The Last of Mohicans referenced as influences by the film’s director Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard) – the main framework of the legendary tribe known as the Dahomey Amazons is verifiable, and with some nice sub-plots factored in, generally works as a watchable historical piece.
Said sub-plots include half-Dahomean Malik (Jordan Bolger), who befriends Nawi, after travelling from Europe to experience the burgeoning slave-trade; and an intriguing personal plot-line that involves Nanisca’s horrifically turbulent past.
That’s not to say this sometimes-brutal drama doesn’t have pacing issues. It’s a bit slow and plodding at times – and could do with a good fifteen minutes shaved off – and some of its ‘made up’ content does stretch imagination to the limits as it lays on thick its underlying message of slave trade. Which isn’t always factually accurate.
That said, experiencing the four main performances from the female protagonists is absolutely worth the entry fee alone – you’re definitely talking Best Actress and Supporting Actress noms here – as they all deserve to sit on this movie’s throne.
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Gavin Miller
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Jimmy Odukoya, Jordan Bolger, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Jayme Lawson, Adrienne Warren & John Boyega
Running Time: 2 Hrs 15 Mins
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
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