Emotional, inspirational and courageous are fitting words to describe the narrative of Phiona Mutesi.
In collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures and ESPN Films, "Queen of Katwe" is based off a true story recorded by UNC journalism professor Tim Crothers in his book. He tells the story of a young girl from Uganda who uses her talents within the game of chess to break away from a world of poverty while enhancing her opportunities for a better life.
Since the movie’s release on Sept. 30, the film has received positive reactions from critics. Currently, "Queen of Katwe" has a score of 91 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and 73/100 on Metacritic.
Although the film could have easily been an overly cliched and stereotypical underdog sports drama, director Mira Nair crafts an aesthetic style that provides heart, sincerity and substance to this biographical adaptation.
The non-fiction account begins with the youthful Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) living with her family in Katwe, a rural slum located in Kampala, Uganda. Struggling to support themselves, the love, strength and grit showcased by Mutesi’s mother, Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o), sets a powerful example as a determined role model for Mutesi and her siblings.
One day, Mutesi meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches her how to play chess. Immediately, Mutesi grew immense interest for the game while her skills began to develop as a competitor.
Suddenly, Katende becomes a mentor figure for the inexperienced prodigy. Beginning by participating in local tournaments and competitions in Uganda, Mutesi quickly acquires a successful reputation as a disciplined strategist in chess. As a result to her dedication, she kept rising through the ranks to eventually contend at the Chess Olympiad held in Russia.
Mutesi's journey to success has captured the spotlight as a shining example of coping with adversity, advancing through hardship and overcoming these obstacles to resonate triumph. Her story gives hope to those who wish to create a better life for themselves, as Katende tells Mutesi, "Do not be quick to tip your king. You must never surrender."
The film demonstrated an organized plot, powerful acting performances and a meaningful sense of realism. The story was well-constructed, presenting a chronological point of view of the events from the real-life figure’s life.
