Given the timing of the release of The Woman King, it would have been easy to dismiss the film as an obvious ploy to sideswipe or anticipate Wakanda Forever, by mixing the Black Panther equity with something akin to a Wonder Woman leading figure. Nothing could be further than the truth. Based on historical facts and the African kingdom of Dahomey, now Benin; the narrative of this film plays more like a Braveheart set in Africa.
As in Braveheart, or Gladiator, the film’s main story is about resisting the rushing tide of history, and trying to gallantly make a stand against the inevitable. It’s about valor, bravery, and tragedy. And set in 1823, it chronicles the beginnings of the slave trade, and how some African kingdoms would try to resist the allure of goods and riches from Europe, when what was being bartered was the people of Africa. And it’s educational to note that Africa is not one mass of people - but how kingdoms would distinguish and equivocate about giving up those who were prisoners or from another tribe as chattel to the Europeans, and believing it was OK, as long as they weren’t giving up their own tribesmen.
Nanisca (Viola Davis) heads a group of all-female warriors who stand as the strongest line of defense for the local chieftain king, Ghezo (as portrayed by John Boyega). But as in most courts, her opinion and standing are in constant flux, as shifting loyalties and allegiances are part of everyday court life. Wrapped in a battle against a neighboring tribe that consorts with the Europeans in a more steady manner, the kingdom of Ghezo faces the challenge of staying relevant, and surviving.
t’s against this rich historical background, that the story of the Woman King unfolds. If there is a fault to this film’s structure, it may be the ambition, and how it wants to take on too many side stories and support characters. While the characters are interesting, the amount of time given to these narrative strands does detract from what should be the main story of Nanisca. In fact, it would seem that they are more successful with some of these sidebars than the main character.
Izogie (Lashana Lynch) is the resolute second-in-command and would have been worthy of her own story, but instead, much screen time is given to the young Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), who refused her father’s wishes to marry an old man, and was thus given as a gift to the King, and ended up a warrior.
The villain, Oba Ade (Jimmy Odukoya), could have been fleshed out more, so that the conflict between him and Namsica could have been more gripping. What’s funny to note is how all these things could have been tightened up and developed further and yet we already have a film that runs for over two hours.
The good bits that exist are very good, and along with the fight choreography, make this a very watchable film. It’s just that there are a number of moments when you’ll feel like you’re just coasting along and the story has lost a little of its grip on the audience.
The Woman King is now showing in cinemas. It’s history with a savage bite.