I don’t think it great exaggeration to claim that every single day millions of Disney-gaga little girls (and little boys, too, I guess), each without a drop of royal blood, dream of becoming princesses. Here is the real life story of one average-woman-turned-princess which might serve as a pretty good reality-check for the would-be Anna, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Elsa, Jasmine, Merida, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White, or Tiana at your disposal.
You know, if it weren’t for WWII, one could describe post-Renaissance history for the most part as “the Brits are dicks” and that might cover it. Perhaps I’m being unfair; certainly other cultures are guilty of dickery; mine has sure claimed a major share in the modern world … yet it’s remarkable how often since, say, 1600, the British are described as villains by pretty much everybody who isn’t British. Today’s tale of villainy involves Prince Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) of Botswana (which went by Bechuanaland in the 1940s-50s when the action takes place) and English woman Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike). The Prince is getting an English education before returning home to rule his people when he meets and falls for an English commoner.
This is a fairly simple tale – white woman, black man get married in England where white people oppose the marriage, so they become Khama chameleons and move to Bechuanaland in Southern Africa where … white people oppose the marriage. It’s just more official the second time around – the deal is that post WWII British government is keen on Bechuanaland’s southern neighbor, South Africa. South Africa is rolling out this fantastic new policy called “Apartheid,” which in no way will ever die or be challenged by history. The South African government makes it clear that they don’t want a royal interracial marriage by their neighbors … and in the eyes of the UK, South Africa is a much bigger player than future Botswana.
That’s gotta be a little intimidating, right? “There are entire nations, nay empires against your marriage.” It’s one thing to defy your parents. A United Kingdom portrayed the Khamas as defying entire continents. Luckily for the couple, the British Empire was not nearly as large as it had been a century earlier. Less Empire = Less influence. Still, you’re defying at least a nation or two. And Draco Malfoy. Great Slytherin of the Serengeti, Tom Felton, are you always going to play this role?
A United Kingdom is the kind
of film that is more important than it is good. While the Brits are mostly cast as dicks, I’m not entire sure the screenplay does justice to the Bechuanalanders, either … but at least they’re given the opportunity to develop a little. I would also have enjoyed a bit more romance between the leads; they go from meet to date to forever in a heartbeat; this is a circumstance in which love is tested and I feel like the couple barely had room to celebrate being in love before entire nations were willing to go to war to end it. I’m giving A United Kingdom mild approval for historical sake, but don’t push me. This film was nowhere near terrific.
Wouldn’t you love to see A United Kingdom double with Get Out? Here’s one take on a mixed race relationship … and here’s another. Discuss.
♪Prince Ser’tse, in love is he
With English birdie
They got wed
And everyone said,
“Well, we’ll just see”
Now try your best not to trip
Remember that stiff upper lip
Nobody admires blatant bigotry
Prince Ser’tse, loquacious is he
Of deprived Botswana
Gonna orate his way to justice
Definitely
He faced the UK toadies
In one hundred and twenty degrees
Then did it again next week
In London freeze♫
Rated PG-13, 111 Minutes
D: Amma Assante
W: Guy Hubbert
Genre: Disney princess without the Disney
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams Khama
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Winston Churchill
♪ Parody inspired by “Prince Ali”
