Queen of Katwe: A Queen on and off the chessboard

Given Hollywood’s 21st century obsession with formula-based sequel films, Mira Nair’s Queen of Katwe proves to be an exhilarating watch. Sans the customary clichés, a given for films of this genre, it stands out and is both, inspiring and entertaining in the same breath. 10-year old Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) leads a hand-to-mouth existence in an unheeded slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda.

Living in a society where prostitution as a profession is highly lucrative, her widowed mother (Lupita Nyong’o) rebuffs the easy way out and makes sure she instills the right morals in all her children. Phiona meets her chess coach Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) at a missionary program and takes an instant liking for the game. Robert convinces her mother to let go of her apprehensions and support her daughter’s ambition. Phiona excels at school level championships and is sent to Russia to compete for the much-celebrated Grand Master title at the Chess Olympiad. Newfound success and exposure make her cocksure and she (very predictably) loses when the stakes are high.

What follows is the story of her redemption to becoming Uganda’s chess champ. Madina Nalwanga does an impeccable job at effortlessly conveying the inner terrors, triumphs and tribulations of Phiona's mind. Lupita and Robert, both seasoned masters of underplay ,make you commiserate, cry and celebrate, often simultaneously, as the plot chugs on and make you slaves to the story. The cast oozes authenticity and is one of the main USPs of the film. Being a sports-film cashing in on its genuineness, it bears an uncanny similarity with Craig Gillespie’s Million Dollar Arm and it is films like these which reinstate your faith in the gold standard set by Hollywood. Given the rare unadulterated content, the audience doesn’t mind turning a blind eye to the predictability of the storyline and instead, allow themselves a shake of the leg to the popular track “#1 Spice”.