QUEEN & SLIM REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Every now and then, my local cinema holds exclusive secret screenings of unreleased films. This can be a great way to get a wide range of viewers to see films they might not normally see or haven't even heard of. The latest secret screening was Queen & Slim, which isn't due to be released in the UK until the end of January. Prior to watching this feature, which is written by Lena Waithe and directed by Melina Matsoukas, I only knew small details about the plot and didn't know what to expect.

While on a forgettable first date together in Ohio, a black man, Slim (Daniel Kaluuya), and a black woman, Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith), are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. The situation escalates, with sudden and tragic results, when the man kills the police officer in self-defense. Terrified and in fear for their lives, the man, a retail employee, and the woman, a criminal defense lawyer, are forced to go on the run. But the incident is captured on video and goes viral, and the couple unwittingly become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people across the country.

Because I didn't know much about Queen & Slim, I found it to be unpredictable for most of its 132 minute runtime. The opening introduces viewers to the titular characters who are on a date, however, they don't share any chemistry so Slim decides to drive Queen home but are pulled over by a police officer. While Slim obeys the officer, Queen, being a defence attorney, knows he hasn't done anything wrong leading to a fight breaking out between the three that ends with Slim shooting the officer in defense. This opening is gripping and intense. Following the shocking outcome, Queen and Slim are forced to go on the run. 

For the majority of its runtime, Queen & Slim is never anything less than compelling and thought-provoking. As Queen and Slim are forced to rely on the help of others in order to hide from the police, it will make viewers wonder what they would do in their situation. Not everyone will agree with their actions and decisions, however, a film is meant to divide opinion and make people think. With their story being reported on the news, Queen and Slim struggle to hide from the police and change their appearance, with Queen cutting all her hair off. Their journey is unsettling as we never know if they're going to get caught or if they're even going to survive. 

Racism is, unfortunately, still a major issue and Waithe's script captures the discrimination people of colour face. I found Queen & Slim to be very similar to last year's underrated drama, The Hate U Give, as both stories focus on the conflict between a white police officer and a person of colour. Both films handle these difficult subject effectively. Being white, I do feel fortunate that I don't experience prejudice for the colour of my skin, however, I do wish it wasn't this way. While the viewers will understand that Queen and Slim aren't bad people, the media portrays them as evil criminals who murdered a police officer for no reason. A lot of people are quick to believe what they hear on the news or read in the paper, however, Queen & Slim proves that not all stories that are reported are true or accurate representations of the individuals involved. 

While Queen And Slim is a powerful and thought-provoking drama, the ending may be seen as too depressing, however, I respected the film for ending this way as it would've been unrealistic to have a happy ending for its characters. As Matsoukas explained in an interview, people of colour don't always get a choice and found the ending, written by Waithe, to be an authentic way to end the film. The ending is heartbreaking, however, that's the point of Queen & Slim, it's meant to make you feel sad, angry and think about the world we're living in. 

Both Kaluuya and Turner-Smith deliver strong, dramatic performances. Following his Oscar-nominated performance in Get Out two years ago, Kaluuya has continued to impress with his acting ability. Last year, he appeared in the crime-based thriller, Widows, where he portrayed Jamal, the brother of a crime boss. As Slim, Kaluuya successfully captures his charm and his knack for trying to make light of a dark situation. He's scared but tries his hardest to be brave for Queen. In her first feature, Turner-Smith leaves the biggest impression with her portrayal of Queen. Both characters lack chemistry in the beginning, however, their journey brings them closer together.

Despite being released during Oscar season, I do think that Queen & Slim will be overlooked in some of the major categories, however, that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. It's so easy to look at the poster and dismiss it but Queen & Slim is one of those films that needs to be seen. It's a powerful and well-acted drama that features a thought-provoking story by Lena Waithe.

8/10