What’s it like: Historical and biographical feature-drama, set in 1940s London and Africa.
Plot: A true story of an African prince studying in London and a white British office worker who meet, fall in love and resolve to stay together. They face significant opposition from both their families – and indeed, from the governments of both their countries. For inevitably, their relationship has political implications, and this is the late 1940s, with the rise of apartheid in South Africa and the final years of the British Empire. The couple’s story turns out to be really quite significant for both countries ….
Comment: An excellent film. Really high standard of acting, sets, production. Script and pacing all good.
V educative in several ways: about life in 1940s London; how the UK operated in ruling parts of the Empire; and life in southern Africa.
Acting: There is an outstanding performance from Rosamund Pike, as Ruth Williams, the woman: she transforms into a 1940s London office worker. David Oyelowo (later to lead in Selma and Les Miserables) is also very good as the African Prince. This is definitely a story of ‘love overcomes all’. Having two governments against your being together is pretty much the ultimate challenge for a relationship !
It’s also a portrait of an African country emerging from the British Empire; and a critique of British involvement with the peoples of the empire.
What the critics said: Positive, but a bit muted, holding that the messages in the film were stated too obviously.
Rating: 5/5
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