I was among the many viewers excitedly looking forward to the release of this film mostly because it's about the history of a part of West Africa. After seeing the trailer, I had more respect for Viola Davis and her ability to bring tough and controversial characters with depth and substance to life.
One thing that stopped me from watching (I had this film on my pc for months) at the time of the release was the initial reception and negative reviews about the inaccuracies. I wondered why so many people shoot the movie down for inaccuracy. I refused to get caught in this argument when the film was released.
Granted, some details were skipped, omitted or twisted like so many supposedly "true life" or "inspired by true events" films yet we shouldn't allow this to overshadow the compelling acting and sturdy storytelling of this blockbuster.
The Woman King (2022) is an American historical action film set in 1823 during the slave trade era in Dahomey, a territory in West Africa. The film focuses on a group of all-female Dahomey warriors called the Agojie responsible for protecting their people. General Nanisca (played by Viola Davis) leads this group of warriors who are bonded by blood and fight to the death.
After a battle that leads to the freedom of some slaves taken by Oba of the Oyo Empire and also the loss of some warriors, Nanisca returns to Dahomey and is highly welcomed by her king, Ghezo of Dahomey. She plans to train some of the freed slaves when a man offers his stubborn daughter, Nawi (played by Thuso Mbedu), to the king since no suitor wants her. Nawi quickly befriends Izogie (played by Lashana Lynch), one of the generals.
When Oba and some Portuguese slave traders threaten to abduct more of the people of Dahomey because they refuse to pay the usual dues, things go downhill. Nawi discovers her connection to Nanisca as Dahomey faces war with the Oyo Empire. The Agojie must rise to protect their territory but at what cost?
Review
The brain behind this film, Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a director whom I deeply admire for her impeccable work. Her films, including Love & Basketball (2000), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Beyond the Lights (2014), and The Old Guard (2020) all possess a distinctive style that is uniquely hers. When I watched "The Woman King," it came as no surprise to me that she was the director behind it.
She consistently demonstrates her distinctive style and directorial prowess by focusing on love stories that revolve around passionate and ambitious Black women who wield power while discovering their inner strength. Her female characters challenge negative conceptions and ideologies, revealing aspects of their personalities that may have previously been overlooked.
The plot is brilliant and compelling, but the subplot where viewers watch the rise of Nawi from a strong-willed young girl to a warrior is even more so. The script, acting, dialogue and scenery are superb. I'll say the screenwriter, Dana Stevens, did a great job. Her writing is well coordinated, allowing each character to be distinctly portrayed.
Viola Davis's impressive talent and intensity make her the perfect choice for the main character. I enjoyed the depth of her character and the substance. She is tough when she needs to be and her emotional play is believable. Thuso Mbedu is another impressive actor who displayed some grit and personality in the film.
While Davis undoubtedly shines as the star of the film, I find myself particularly drawn to Izogie (played by Lashana Lynch). Her fierceness and bravery sweetly match her wit making her an incredibly likeable character. Her outstanding exit from the film could not have been better done than by the ultimate sacrifice of saving a fellow warrior.
The scene that particularly moved me and nearly brought me to tears was when Izogie gave her life to save Nawi. Mbedu's poignant portrayal of a grieving warrior crying over Izogie's lifeless body, accompanied by heart-wrenching wails that seemed to tear at our hearts, was deeply touching. It reminds me of tearjerker moments in Gladiator (2000) and Braveheart (1995).
The costumes, visual effects and cinematography are great as well. The action scenes which include the use of swords, javelins, twirling ropes, guns as well as long, razored fingernails are visceral and breathtaking. They are also bloody and therefore not for the fainthearted.
In my opinion, this film is epic despite the inaccuracies in the historical narration. It explores sensitive topics such as oppressive, sexist, and racist systems while also emphasising the themes of love and gender relationships.
It's definitely worth watching and I'll recommend it to every film lover.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Other images are screenshots from the movie