An incredible feature film debut from both director Melina Matsoukas and screenwriter Lena Waithe, Queen and Slim tells the romantic-crime-road-trip story of an African-American couple whose first date is interrupted by an unnecessary police stop. It is an incredibly contemporary film that tells a story that could be behind any of the headlines that we see coming from America today, encapsulating the police brutality whilst also giving the victims a whole and three-dimensional story.
Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Black Panther) and Jodie Turner-Smith (Nightflyers) have a great chemistry while playing the opposing personalities of the main couple. The dialogue is interesting and stays interesting which is rare in such romantic scenarios. Kaluuya delivers a beautifully emotional performance, particularly in the ending scenes. Its run time is a little long, but the characters are ones to invest in so its barely noticeable.
There is an overarching contrast of love and hate in the imagery of the film and the great soundtrack underpins it all wonderfully. This film really looks at the line between self-defence and an eye-for-an-eye, and the way in which African-Americans have to feel the weight of the perception of an entire race in almost every decision that they make.
‘Queen and Slim’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Pep Reviews 