Love in the face of bigotry

FILM OF THE WEEK

A UNITED KINGDOM (12A, 111 mins) Drama/Romance. David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Vusi Kunene, Terry Pheto, Laura Carmichael, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Abena Ayivor. Director: Amma Asante.

Released: November 25 (UK & Ireland)

A shameful episode of bigotry during the post-war decline of the British Empire provides rich source material for Amma Asante's handsome and deeply moving love story.

Anchored by impassioned performances, A United Kingdom dramatizes the true romance of a defiant African prince and a London salesman's daughter, which embroiled two continents in an ugly tug-of-war for supremacy.

The central couple are kept apart for many years, including the birth of their first child, and scriptwriter Guy Hibbert captures the terrible injustice and anguish of this period of exile with aplomb.

Hibbert also gifts leading man David Oyelowo several barn-storming speeches against apartheid and intolerance, including a pivotal meeting of tribal chiefs, where the prince tearfully tells the assembled throng, "I love my people, I love this land - but I love my wife."

His unswerving belief that love conquers all, at a time when the world still bears the scars of bitter conflict, galvanizes every beautifully composed frame and plucks the (heart)strings of composer Patrick Doyle's lush orchestrations.

Cinematographer Sam McCurdy contrasts the industrial grey of London with the sun-baked golds, oranges and browns of southern Africa, a ravishing backdrop where poisonous emotions take root and produce bitter fruit.

Seretse Khama (Oyelowo), heir apparent to the nation of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), is studying law in 1947 London before returning home to lead his people.

He has been prepared for this role by his proud uncle Tshekedi (Vusi Kunene) and a council which kowtows to the British.

At a dance organised by the London Missionary Society, Seretse falls in love with typist Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), whose bigoted father George (Nicholas Lyndhurst) would never condone the flourishing romance.

"Father will hate [Seretse] on sight," observes Ruth's sister Muriel (Laura Carmichael). "He's cleverer than him... and he's black."

Paternal rage pales next to the indignation of Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport), the British government's representative in southern Africa.

"If you choose to marry the leader of an African nation, you will be responsible for the downfall of the British empire," he coldly informs Ruth.

Unperturbed, the couple marries and Ruth accompanies Seretse to Bechuanaland, where she faces hostility from uncle Tshekedi, aunt Ella (Abena Ayivor) and Seretse's sister Naledi (Terry Pheto).

Meanwhile, the British - represented by snivelling district commissioner Rufus Lancaster (Tom Felton) - and the South African government use underhand tactics to separate the lovebirds.

A United Kingdom is a stirring ode to love, distinguished by molten on-screen chemistry between Oyelowo and Pike.

Asante elegantly navigates the political quagmire, eschewing heavy-handed sermonizing about the controversial inter-racial romance, including powerful scenes of Ruth attempting to win over the sharp-tongued women of Bechuanaland.

Archive photographs over the end credits hammer home the couple's remarkable sacrifices and their enduring legacy in Botswana, and far beyond.

(Damon Smith)

:: SWEARING :: NO SEX :: VIOLENCE :: RATING: 7.5/10

RELEASED

ALLIED (15, 124 mins) Thriller/Romance/War/Action. Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Simon McBurney, Lizzy Caplan, August Diehl, Matthew Goode. Director: Robert Zemeckis.

Released: November 25 (UK & Ireland)

With a protracted opening sequence set in 1942 French Morocco, Robert Zemeckis' old-fashioned espionage thriller explicitly doffs its fedora to the film Casablanca and a bygone era of sweeping romances.

The pre-release hype surrounding Allied has focused on wicked whispers about the relationship between Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, which resulted in the Oscar-winning French actress issuing a statement to deny any involvement in her co-star's divorce.

On screen, they are an exceedingly attractive pairing and screenwriter Steven Knight provides the actors with plentiful reasons to moan with ecstasy in a steamy sex scene set during a violent sandstorm.

However, Pitt and Cotillard don't come close to melting celluloid and the script fails to make explicit the consequences of failure for their two secret agents.

The characters are gambling not just with their own lives, but also with the future of countless European nations, and not once do we experience a palpable sense of jeopardy or nail-biting tension.

Success seems preordained from the glossy opening frames... but appearances can be deceptive.

Wing commander Max Vatan (Pitt), a Canadian intelligence officer posted to London during the Second World War, parachutes behind enemy lines to assassinate a German ambassador.

He joins forces with glamorous French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Cotillard), who is already embedded in Casablanca and will pose as his adoring wife.

Sparks fly as the faux romance kindles deep desire, pulling the wool over the eyes of Commandant Hobar (August Diehl) and other Nazi officials.

"I keep the emotions real, that's why it works," coos Marianne, explaining the art of her seductive deception.

The couple reunite in London, where they marry, raise a beautiful child and entertain friends and family including Max's bohemian sister, Bridget (Lizzy Caplan).

As the Allied war effort gathers pace, Max is ushered into a covert meeting with his superior, Frank Heslop (Jared Harris), and a military intelligence official (Simon McBurney).

They present damning evidence that Marianne is a spy working for the Germans.

Max denounces their suspicions, but he reluctantly agrees to run a Blue Dye test on Marianne, leaving bogus intelligence in plain sight at home to see if the same information is intercepted in coded messages to Berlin.

If her guilt is proven, Max must execute his wife.

"You will go home and carry on as if nothing has happened," confirms Frank, but Max is determined to winkle out the truth.

Allied is a triumph of style over suspense, maintaining a pedestrian pace even when German bombs rain down on London.

Pitt and Cotillard look luminescent thanks to cinematographer Don Burgess, and both are draped sexily in Joanna Johnston's impeccable period costumes.

Action sequences are surprisingly gruesome and blood-thirsty, warranting the 15 certificate, but fail to quicken the pulse.

Elegance bullies excitement into weary submission well before the two hours are up.

(Damon Smith)

:: SWEARING :: SEX :: VIOLENCE :: RATING: 5/10

BAD SANTA 2 (15, 92 mins) Comedy/Romance. Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Kathy Bates, Christina Hendricks, Ryan Hansen, Cristina Rosato. Director: Mark Waters.

Released: November 23 (UK & Ireland)

Given the amount of saccharine tosh we're subjected to each and every winter, it's perhaps no surprise that, much like an over-excited kid on Christmas Day, we embraced Bad Santa with open arms when it was released back in 2003.

Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Willie Soke, a sweary, dirty, drunk conman who disguises himself as Santa, so he and his 'elf' partner, Marcus, can use the season of goodwill to line their own pockets, earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

The quirky, dark comedy also went onto earn over 76 million dollars at the worldwide box office and a place in seasonal rundowns of 'best ever' festive films.

Now, 13 years on, Bad Santa's coming to town once again.

When we saw him last, Willie looked like he might've found his happy-ever-after with Sue, a woman with a Father Christmas fetish, but when the film opens, Sue's long gone and Willie's set to do himself in. First by shoving his head in the oven, until he realises it's electric, and then via a cord, until the ever chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly reprising his role) arrives at his place with a bundle of cash.

Willie's soon meeting up with his former mucker Marcus (Tony Cox).

Despite Marcus' attempt to kill Willie and run off with the money at the end of Bad Santa, he has a proposition for him - stealing from a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve.

Despite his doubts, Willie decides to go along with it, but on arrival in the Windy City, he's met with the unwelcome sight of his mum, Sunny (Bad Santa newcomer Kathy Bates), who he greets by slapping around the face.

It's downhill from there as it transpires just how vile mamma's been over the years, but she has a plan for the three of them - and it involves Willie working his 'magic' on Diane (Christina Hendricks), the prim and proper charity director.

A sequel has to be bigger and bolder than its original otherwise why bother, but in this instance, it simply means more filth. Even Bates has admitted she had doubts over a scene in which Sunny's sitting on the throne watching trashy TV, but she's gone for it, as have all the cast. There's light relief in Kelly's Thurman, the only person who manages to warm Willie's seemingly cold and cynical heart, Thornton's quips, and the queue of kids waiting to sit on 'Santa's' lap provides a few chuckles.

But mostly you cringe. If you're looking for a strong antidote to Christmas schmaltz, you won't be disappointed, but there's a chance you'll leave the cinema feeling like you've downed a dodgy eggnog - with a strong desire to wash away the taste.

(Susan Griffin)

:: SWEARING :: SEX :: VIOLENCE :: RATING: 4/10

Also released...

ALMOST CHRISTMAS (15, 111 mins)

Released: November 25 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas)

Walter Meyers (Danny Glover) and his wife Grace (Rachel Kylian) proudly preside over their extended family and, every Christmas, they host a picture postcard get-together laden with food and good cheer. A few months before the festivities, Grace passes away and grief-stricken Walter pledges to continue the Yuletide tradition on his own. His sister-in-law May (Mo'Nique) arrives first, closely followed by his eldest son Christian (Romany Malco), his wife Sonya (Nicole Ari Parker) and their children. Feuding daughters Rachel (Gabrielle Union) and Cheryl (Kimberly Elise) clash from the moment they walk through the front door and youngest son Evan (Jessie Usher), who is a sporting star, arrives with painkillers in his pocket that he continues to pop to dull a recent injury. The Meyers must spend five days together under the same roof to honour Grace's memory and it is immediately evident that they will need a miracle to maintain peace and good will.

MUM'S LIST (12A, 101 mins)

Released: November 25 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas)

Based on a true story, Mum's List is a moving drama about a terminally ill parent, who leaves behind a bucket list of life lessons and recollections for her two young sons. Singe Greene (Rafe Spall) and his wife Kate (Emilia Fox) live in bucolic North Somerset with their two sons, Reef (William Stagg) and Finn (Matthew Stagg). The family's lives are turned upside down when Kate is diagnosed with incurable breast cancer. In this moment of intense pain, the Greenes come together and make the most of the precious moments they have together. In her final days, Kate creates a list of thoughts and memories for her boys when she is gone, which she hopes Singe will use to ensure Reef and Finn have the best possible childhoods.

PATERSON (15, 118 mins)

Released: November 25 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas)

Adam Driver delivers a compelling lead performance as a poetic bus driver in Jim Jarmusch's offbeat character study. Unfolding over the course of one week in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, the film centres on happily married Paterson (Adam Driver), who shares his home with his wife Laura (Golshifteh Farahani) and their dog Marvin. Every day, Paterson follows the same routine: he goes to work early in the morning, listening to passengers' conversations from behind the wheel of his bus. Then he returns home to listen to Laura's latest pipe dream - setting up a cupcake business, playing a guitar - before walking the dog via the local tavern, where he trades witticisms with owner Doc (Barry Shakaba Henley) over a beer or two. In moments of calm, Paterson draws inspiration from his favourite poet, William Carlos Williams, to pen his own handwritten verse in a notebook. Laura urges her husband to publish his writing and he eventually agrees to make copies of his heartfelt musings.

MAGNUS (U, 76 mins)

Released: November 25 (UK, selected cinemas)

Hailed as "the Mozart of chess", Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen began playing the game of strategy at the age of four when many of his friends were enjoying the video console revolution of the 1990s. The young Magnus discovered a natural gift for chess and as a teenager, he famously travelled to Iceland to play reigning world champion Garry Kasparov, who was suitably impressed with the youngster's abilities. At the tender age of 13, Magnus became the world's youngest grandmaster and 10 years later, he faced off against then champion Viswanathan Anand in a battle of youthful raw talent versus computer-honed experience. The fallout from this battle royale confirmed Magnus as the new superstar of chess and the same year, he simultaneously played 10 games at Harvard University while blindfolded, winning all of the matches by memory alone. Documentary filmmaker Benjamin Ree draws on a wealth of home videos and other footage to chronicle Carlsen's meteoric rise and his indelible impact on the world of chess.

THE INCIDENT (15, 94 mins)

Released: November 25 (UK, selected cinemas)

Filmed in Huddersfield, The Incident marks the feature film debut of BAFTA-nominated writer-director Jane Linfoot. Wealthy architect Joe (Tom Hughes) and his wife Annabel (Ruta Gedmintas) live in a striking modernist property in the woods. The thirsty-something couple enjoy a life of comfort and privilege, which is jeopardised when Joe enjoys a spur-of-the-moment sexual encounter with flirty local teenager, Lily (Tasha Connor), and pays a crisp £20 note for services rendered. While Joe is away on business, Lily visits the couple's home and distresses Annabel, who telephones the police. Consequently, Annabel comes face to face with Lily and faces the shocking repercussions of Joe's betrayal.

I AM BOLT (PG, 105 mins)

Released: November 28 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas)

Born in 1986 in Trelawny, Jamaica, Usain Bolt has become one of sport's bona fide superstars, winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles at three consecutive Olympic Games. He holds world records in all three disciplines and has won numerous world championships and plaudits, thrilling fans with his signature lightning bolt pose after each victory. Bolt intends to retire from athletics after next year's World Championships and filmmakers Benjamin and Gabe Turner pay affectionate tribute to arguably the greatest sprinter of all time with this revealing documentary that includes behind-the-scenes footage shot by Bolt himself. I Am Bolt grants audiences unprecedented access to the Jamaican sprinter, revealing his gruelling training regime as well as some of the setbacks over the years that have hampered him on and off the track. Screenings on November 28 include live coverage of the film's red carpet premiere in London, beamed via satellite to cinemas around the UK and Ireland, and an exclusive interview with Usain Bolt.

THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN (15, 104 mins)

Released: November 30 (UK & Ireland)

Kelly Fremon Craig writes and directs this sparkling coming-of-age comedy drama about the growing pains of a 17-year-old girl, who feels misunderstood by everyone around her. Ever since she was little, Nadine Byrd (Hailee Steinfeld) has been jealous of her good-looking, successful and popular older brother Darian (Blake Jenner), who has always been the golden child of the family. Their mother Mona (Kyra Sedgwick) clearly favours Darian, while Nadine's caring father Tom (Eric Keenleyside) dies from a heart attack during a drive with his daughter. Her only friend in the world is Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), a fellow outcast, who shares Nadine's disdain for conformity. Out of the blue, Nadine discovers that Krista is dating her brother Darian and this betrayal of the sisterly bond drives a wedge between the two girls. Cast adrift from her best friend, Nadine feels desperately alone and she turns to her sardonic teacher Mr Bruner (Woody Harrelson) for advice. Meanwhile, Nadine pines from afar for a handsome older boy (Alexander Calvert) and she accepts awkward romantic overtures from her classmate Erwin (Hayden Szeto).

COMING NEXT WEEK...

A spunky princess (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) joins forces with a wise-cracking demi-god (Dwayne Johnson) in Disney's computer animated adventure MOANA... Tom Hanks plays the captain, who successfully lands a stricken commercial airplane on water in New York, in Clint Eastwood's thriller SULLY: MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON... a disillusioned teenager (Hailee Steinfeld) strikes up an unusual friendship with her sardonic teacher (Woody Harrelson) in the coming-of-age comedy drama THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN... and Miles Teller piles on the pounds to play a boxer battling against adversity in the rousing true story BLEED FOR THIS.

FILM CHART

1. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

2. Arrival

3. Trolls

4. Andre Rieu: Christmas With Andre

5. Doctor Strange

6. The Accountant

7. A Street Cat Named Bob

8. Nocturnal Animals

9. The Girl On The Train

10. Storks

(Chart courtesy of Cineworld)

ends