This much-lauded film is to a degree a throwback to the old classic cinema of Ben Hur, Gladiator, Braveheart and other movies which involved spectacular battles and olden times. The difference here is that we are in Dahomey in the 1820’s, a country at the centre of the slave trade in that era and at war with local tribes and other kingdoms. And more importantly, the protagonists are a fighting force of women loyal to the young King Ghezo of Dahomey (John Boyega).
Our story revolves around two women, Nawi (Tbuso Mbedu) a young girl deposited in the army by her adoptive farmer upset that she refused the marriage he had arranged with an older man and Nanisca (Viola Davis) the General leading the army, a former rape victim turned staunch defender of the freedom of her people, especially women.
The plot for the film is loosely based on the history of the Agojie, these Amazonian warriors and involves the battle against Oba Ade, the enemy leader who wants to overthrow the king and preserve the slave trade.
On the edge of all this are Portuguese slave traders played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Jordan Bolger as Malik with whom Nawi gets involved. Nawi, at first a rebel, learns to fight in the Agojie and become one of their most valuable fighters with a closer connection to Nanisca than she realizes.
For those who like combat scenes and an old-style storyline you will feel very much at home. And the fights are among the best features of the movie.
Viola Davis is once again magnificent as Nanisca and inexplicably missed another Oscar nomination. Her fighter’s physique and demeanour and expressive eyes are a million miles away from Ma Rainey. Mbedu does well in support and Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim are other fighters who stand out.
I can’t say though that the movie absolutely wowed me. The script is somewhat wooden and the characters not as well drawn as they could have been. Photography is good but not great and pacing lapses at times. Nonetheless the achievement by director Gina Prince-Bythewood is a major one showing that these historical action films can be by women (the crew is massively female) about women.
4 stars
passionfilm 